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(above): Felix Pinnard photo is thought to be Rev. Lewis Colson and his wife Irene. Courtesy Sarasota County Historical Resources.

Early Beginnings

The Reid and Colson families are celebrated for their contributions to Overtown and Newtown.

The first known African American to settle in Sarasota was Rev. Lewis Colson. The formerly enslaved man arrived in Sarasota in 1884. Mr. Colson drove the first stake into the ground while surveying and platting the town of Sarasota as assistant to engineer Richard E. Paulson of the Florida Mortgage and Investment Company.

Rev. Colson was also a fisherman and landowner.

The Colson Family

Lewis Colson married Irene, a midwife. In those days, midwives provided critical medical services in the African American community. Jim Crow laws prevented access to healthcare. Their children were John Hamilton, James, David, and Ida. The name of another Colson family member was Tony.

Founder and Pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church

The Colsons established the first church built by and for African Americans in Sarasota.

Quick Facts

  • They sold their land to the church’s trustees for $1.
  • The church was located at 7th Street and Central Avenue.
  • Rev. Colson was the first pastor. He served from 1899 to 1915.
  • Bethelehem Baptist Church remained in Overtown until 1973.
  • A new church was constructed at 1680 18th Street.

(above): Bethlehem Baptist Church. Courtesy Sarasota County Historical Resources.

Yvonne Brown describes personal experiences growing up in Overtown and attending Bethlehem Baptist Church.

Go there: Learn about the importance of the black church. Visit Marker #15, 1680 18th Street (near the parking lot on 18th Street).

Little known history

  • Lewis Colson’s name is on the historic marker at Five Points Park.
  • Colson drove the first stake to survey the land and plat the town, then a tiny fishing village.
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(above): Lewis Colson was the first known free African American to settle in Sarasota (1884). His work is featured on the historic marker at Five Points Historic Marker. Vickie Oldham Collection. 

Go there: Five Points Park is located at Main Street and Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, FL

The Colson Hotel

  • The Colson Hotel was named after Mr. Colson.
  • African Americans stayed at the hotel because they could not book rooms at white hotels in Sarasota.
  • The facility was a 28-room hotel for black tourists and residents.
  • The hotel was constructed in 1925.

(above): The Colson Hotel, named after Lewis Colson, was built by E.O. Burns. The hotel was constructed for African American travelers and residents. Courtesy Sarasota County Historical Resources. 

(above): A contemporary article describes the Colson Hotel.

Little known history

  • The Colson Hotel was renamed The Palms Hotel.
  • Today, it is a rooming house, but faces development pressure.

Go there: Colson Hotel, 1425 8th Street and Central Avenue, Sarasota, FL

Lewis and Irene Colson at the Historic Rosemary Cemetery

  • The Florida Mortgage and Investment Company, Colson’s employer, owned the cemetery.
  • Lewis and Irene Colson are the only African Americans buried in historic, segregated Rosemary Cemetery.
  • According to community lore, the Colsons’ were buried under the cover of night to quell the discontent of white families whose loved ones were also laid to rest there. The graves are at the front of the cemetery, first row, north side.

(above): Signs marking Rosemary Cemetery, where Lewis and Irene Colson are buried. Courtesy Vickie Oldham Collection 

Little known history:

  • Lewis’ last name on the marker is spelled Calson.
  • He was a member of the fraternal order of Masons. There is an emblem on his grave marker.

Go there: Rosemary Cemetery, 1800 block of Central Avenue, Sarasota, FL

Lewis Colson’s John Ringling Connection  

Taylor Gordon chauffeured circus magnate John Ringling and his wife Mabel. Gordon describes meeting Rev. Colson in his 1929 autobiography, Born to Be.

At night, I spent my time studying my people—their ways and actions. I took in many of the camp meetings in the woods. I went to their church meetings, held in their half tumbled-down shacks. It was at those religious gatherings that I saw how mother got the fear of God ground into her soul: it was by dominating characters singing, barking and stomping their belief into susceptible minds. Old Reverend Colson of Sarasota was an uneducated man of eighty-six years old, but had somehow learned the stories of the Bible and knew how to tell them. By swaying his humped back, throwing his long arms, chopping off his words as if his God was taking his breath, he held his mourners to his belief.