Englewood Beach derives its name from Englewood, Illinois, chosen in 1893 by the three Nicolas Brothers (Herbert, Howard and Ira) who founded the community on 2,000 acres intending to establish a lemon grove city before winter frosts of 1894-1895 destroyed the trees, located on Manasota Key whose portmanteau name combines 'manatee' and 'Sarasota' from the Maryland-based Manasota Lumber Company operating a Woodmere sawmill from 1918-1923. This Sarasota County barrier island beach evolved from 12,000-year Calusa tribal lands through William and Mary Goff's 1878 settlement to the enterprising Chadwick family's 1926 development of Chadwick Beach Subdivision, with the first mainland-to-key connection established in 1927 by the foresighted Chadwick brothers who ran a successful fish business and acquired extensive Key land at the turn of the century.
The beach offers world-class shark teeth hunting especially at southern Stump Pass Beach State Park where fossilized teeth from 10-million-year prehistoric sharks remain after skeletons disintegrated when waters receded, with Sharkier providing equipment rentals and eco-friendly guided tours excavating teeth in the wave zone where ocean releases treasures. Visitors enjoy swimming, sunbathing, shelling, and searching for shark teeth, sea glass, and fossils with sand sifters at optimal post-storm times, though abundant teeth make any time good for discoveries along shores stretching from Venice Beach through Manasota Key Beach to Stump Pass. Beachcombing, fishing, and kayaking complement the gateway to Venice's Shark Tooth Capital of the World heritage, with engaging educational experiences for all ages exploring Gulf of Mexico waters and shores.
Manasota Key dining includes SandBar Tiki & Grille directly across from Englewood Beach for fresh seafood, authentic smoked BBQ and live music, Lock 'N Key Restaurant across from Englewood Beach for Certified Premium Beef steaks, prime rib and daily-delivered seafood on spacious outdoor patio, and The Waverly upstairs for spectacular sunset and gulf views with floor-to-ceiling windows while downstairs The Wave offers casual beach bar atmosphere, serving Sarasota County's barrier island community along this shark tooth hunting paradise stretching between Charlotte and Sarasota counties.
