As long as 12,000 years ago, native American tribes (Calusas) lived throughout Southwest Florida including Englewood. Human skeletons, animal bones, spears and Indian mounds have been found throughout the area.

With the discovery of this continent by the Europeans in the late 1400's, exploration slowly brought more visitors. Hernando de Soto, Ponce de Leon, Panfilo de Narvaez and others explored Florida in search of gold. They found little, but paved the way for others to come.

Next Cuban, Bahamian and Spanish fisherman came to fish the fertile waters of the Gulf of Mexico, inlets and bays including Lemon Bay.

After two and a half centuries of Spanish rule, Florida became a state on March 3, 1945. Modern day Englewood was founded on 2000 acres by the Nicholas brothers who intended to establish a city surrounded by lemon groves. The winter frost of 1894 and 1895 destoryed the trees throughout Englewood.

The strategy to promote Englewood as a residential area with an abundance of hunting and fishing in a carefree environment.

Today, Manasota Key and Englewood's climate inspire the description "Gem of the Suncoast". With year round events, resplendent parks and miles of beautiful beaches, Enjoy your carefree vacation!