The corner of Main Street and Palm Avenue has been home to a variety of buildings over the years, but since the 1890s it has mostly been a site for hotels. Before beachfront lodging took off, this downtown area was considered ideal for hotel construction because of its location in the business district and proximity to the bay. This picture, circa 1925, shows one of the many hotels that inhabited this popular corner, The Hotel Watrous.

Courtesy of Sarasota Historical Society