1921 – Sarasota County, Florida’s 60^th county was created by the Florida legislature on this date. Exact origins of the name are unknown, although many believe it has been used in some form since early European colonial times. One of the first permanent settlers was William H. Witaker who settled on Yellow Bluffs in 1851, but later moved north to Manatee County in 1865 after his homestead was burned. Currently, the largest city is North Port and the county seat is the City of Sarasota.