Longboat Key, FL

Longboat Key is a barrier island stretching between Sarasota County and Manatee County along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Early inhabitants included Indigenous peoples who used the island’s coastal resources for fishing and trade. Permanent settlement began in the late 1800s, but large scale development did not occur until the mid 20th century. The origin of the name Longboat Key is often linked to a historic shipwreck, though accounts vary, adding a layer of local lore to the island’s identity.

A significant milestone came in 1955 when the Town of Longboat Key was incorporated, allowing residents to guide growth and land use more carefully. Over the decades, the community established a reputation for upscale coastal living, with an emphasis on preservation, zoning control, and environmental stewardship. According to the Town of Longboat Key, long term planning focuses on protecting shorelines, infrastructure resilience, and maintaining the island’s distinctive character.