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Englewood -- Gem of the Suncoast
Mother Nature rules in this beachfront community bordered by three bodies of water and miles of soft, powder white sand. Covering part of both Charlotte County and Sarasota County, Englewood is a community of communities, harbored by several small islands and magnificent beaches in a tropical setting. Located on beautiful Lemon Bay, Englewood is a beach community that thrives on its cultural events, nature parks, beaches, fishing, boating, and so much more. It is very nature oriented. The chubby face of a Manatee might break the surface of the brilliant blue water, and on the Gulf side of town dolphins play in the water. Manasota Key is an enchanting barrier island off the coast of Englewood where there are no high-rises, no traffic lights, just a two-lane road and pristine beaches. There are low-rise multi-family condos and apartments on the south end of the island. The north end has private homes on one-acre lots, tucked behind lush tropical foliage. Englewood Beach (previously known as Chadwick Beach) is one of four beaches associated with the Gulf Coast community. All four are located on Manasota Key, a barrier island that stretches along the coastline of southwest Florida. Englewood Beach has a boardwalk, recreation areas, and nearby restaurants and shops. Stump Pass Beach is a narrow mile of beach where seashells and shark teeth wash up, and anglers fish the surf for prize catches. Manasota Beach is 14 acres of beach and sand dunes with special areas set-aside for sheltered tables, barbecue pits, boardwalks and bathhouse facilities. Blind Pass Beach is ideal for swimming and fishing, and has more than 60 acres of nature trails. There's also a docking area for boaters on the Intra Coastal Waterway. A hiking trail passes through five distinct natural communities that provide homes for many species of wildlife; covered picnic tables are located along the trail.
Englewood began as a fishing village, and although fishing still plays a part in the local economy, the areas around historic West Dearborne Street in downtown Englewood has many shops, antique stores, great places to eat, and a growing art scene. Nationally known artist Lois Bartlett from Englewood established Artists Acres here in the 1950's as a place for creative people to live and work. The community hosts many events, including "Cruisin' on Dearborne" and "Saturday Night Live."
Manasota Key has a variety of shells for the serious or just fun-loving shell collector to find. Many of these shells not only arrive on the beach intact, surviving the trip to shore, but are still inhabited and very much alive. Many shells found on Englewood beaches are Left Handed Whelks, Auger shells, Coquina shells and, caught at low tide, the Rough Scallop and the Fighting Conch that are great for chowders. Another common find is the Shark Teeth that usually come ashore after a storm. Some of these shark teeth are over a million years old, black and brown colored, ranging from a tiny 1/8th inch to three inches long.
Lemon Bay is known as the heart of Englewood, and is the setting for a munber of small waterfront communities. It extends from the Gasparilla Island Causeway to South Venice. It is separated from the Gulf of Mexico by Manasota Key and Knight Island, and the Gulf is accessible through an Intercoastal Waterway which passes through the middle of the bay. Lemon Bay has become known as a prime fishing site as well as its pristine beaches.
The population of Englewood is approximately 15,000. The median age is 64 years, and the median household income is $33,000. There are a number of waterfront properties all along the coast of Lemon Bay from condominiums and villas to single family homes. With miles of coastline there is an abundance of waterfront homes with fantastic panoramic views of Lemon Bay.
