Tim Eisemann’s parents, Bill and Doris Eisemann, have the distinction of being the first people to buy property in The Meadows in 1977. The following interview was conducted by Jo Evans and Tom Bondur on December 6, 2023.

TB:

We are talking with Tim Eisemann. Tim’s parents were the first people to buy property in The Meadows in 1977.

I see you brought a family photo album with you. Can we make a few copies for the article?

TE:

Yes, of course. My father compiled over 14 photo albums to create a history of the family. Most of the photos have captions. I feel very lucky to have these now. The albums provide a complete history of my parents and family. It has been fun going through them selecting pictures for this project. It brings back some very good memories.

TB:

How did your parents come to live in The Meadows?

TE:

When my father retired from working with the government at the age of 55, my parents decided to move south from Virginia to enjoy the sunshine. They traveled around Florida to get a feel for the state. In 1973, they settled in Sarasota. When they first arrived here, they lived close to the water because my father got into sailing. Later, when they decided to live in a golf community, they thought The Meadows was the perfect location.

TB:

What kind of work did your father do?

TE:

My father would say he worked for the Defense Department, but he was actually with the Central Intelligence Agency. He spent 30 years with the CIA, initially joining when it started as the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II. My father spent most of his professional life working internationally and in Langley, Virginia, outside Washington, DC.

My parents really enjoyed living in Asian countries. We lived in Japan, Taiwan, and Laos. My sister and I were born in Japan. We lived in Vientiane, Laos during 1970-1971. My father worked under cover with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Since he worked in several covert operations during his career, he did not share much information. Now that most operations are declassified, I am doing some research. It has been very interesting learning more about his career.

TB:

Did your parents know anybody in the Sarasota area when they moved here?

TE:

Yes. There was a couple they knew that lived on Longboat Key. They met when they were living in Taiwan. My mother and father were close to them. Another reason my parents chose Sarasota was because it was close to my grandmother, who lived in St. Petersburg.

TB:

Did you stay in Florida during your professional life?

TE:

Pretty much. I traveled throughout the US and Caribbean for a while. I retired last July after 44 years in a business that I never expected to get involved in. My background was in Biology, Wildlife Management, and Conservation of Natural Resources; but I took on a sales role for the largest chemical company in the world, BASF Corporation. I moved back to The Meadows around 2000 because it was convenient to the airport and the Interstate for business travel.

TB:

Do you have any memories of what The Meadows was like when your family first moved here?

TE:

I remember it as a wide open, natural, Florida landscape− the large canopy trees, live oaks. Taylor Woodrow did a good job keeping the natural setting intact. The roads throughout The Meadows were just dirt construction roads. Fruitville and 17th Street were just two-lane roads. Going out of town along Fruitville Road, it was all country. The Meadows was way out of town in those days. I remember how my parents really appreciated the natural beauty of The Meadows.

TB:

Originally, The Meadows property was the Newsom Ranch, as I understand it, which was about 3500 acres. Taylor Woodrow acquired the property in two separate transactions. They bought the parcels from the Arvida Corporation, which was one of the biggest real estate development companies in Florida.

Do you remember the sales office down by the 17th Street entrance?

TE:

Yes. I remember seeing it when entering The Meadows, going to my parents’ place at 4337 Woodmans Chart.

JE:  

Did you know Louise Mitchell? We interviewed her recently. She's 104 years old. She still lives in Woodmans Chart. She’s also one of the first residents that moved in there. She knew your parents.

TE:

That’s amazing. I do not remember meeting Louise. It would be nice to meet her.

TB:

2024 marks the 50th anniversary of The Meadows. November 14, 1974 was the day Sarasota County approved the development plans. That's when construction began.

Do you remember Smally, Wellford and Nalven (SWN), the civil engineering firm that surveyed the land and did most of the development planning?

TE:

I remember seeing their trucks rolling in and out of The Meadows. During my college summer break, I worked on a couple of the construction projects in Woodmans Chart and on Glebe Farm Road. I worked for a subcontractor doing concrete and carpentry work.

TB:

Any photos of you working in construction?

TE:

No, but I have photos of my folks playing golf in The Meadows. I also have photos taken during their parties and family gatherings. I remember how my parents enjoyed getting together with other couples in the community. Golfing was a big thing for them.

TE:

After a few years at The Meadows, my parents moved to The Landings near Phillippi Creek then to Stoneybrook in Palmer Ranch. I think it was 1980 or ’81 that they moved to The Landings.

So, 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the community. When is the anniversary?

TB:

November 14, 1974 was the day Sarasota County approved the development plans. That's when construction began.

Do you remember Smally, Wellford and Nalven (SWN), the civil engineering firm that surveyed the land and did most of the development planning?

TE:

I remember seeing their trucks rolling in and out of The Meadows. During my college summer break, I worked on a couple of the construction projects in Woodmans Chart and on Glebe Farm Road. I worked for a subcontractor doing concrete and carpentry work.

TB:

Any photos of you working in construction?

TE:

No, but I have photos of my folks playing golf in The Meadows. I also have photos taken during their parties and family gatherings. I remember how my parents enjoyed getting together with other couples in the community. Golfing was a big thing for them.

TB:

Any other interesting anecdotes come to mind about your family’s days in The Meadows?

TE:

When my brothers were in the area, we would play golf and tennis in The Meadows. We were all very competitive. The tennis court near Woodmans Chart was basically our own private court. It is a very nice, secluded court, very shady, and so convenient. We could just walk out from our parents’ home and go across the bridge. We always had a good time golfing with our father.

My mother was an orchid enthusiast and displayed her work within the screened patio of Woodmans Chart. It made for a beautiful garden within their home. She volunteered her time at Selby Gardens, which she really enjoyed. She was also an avid painter. Oils, water colors, and sumi-e (Japanese ink painting) were her favorites.

My mother was a fantastic cook, especially international foods. Her Chinese cooking was the best. She also was associated with the Audubon Society. I remember her walking around The Meadows bird watching.

She was the perfect government official’s wife. She loved to organize and throw parties. My parents loved to entertain. I remember my mother organizing lavish parties when we lived overseas and then back in the states.

My parents loved working with stained glass. They had a workshop in their Woodmans Chart garage. They worked as a team, cutting and soldering pieces together, creating very nice pieces.

They also had a mountain house in North Carolina where they would display and sell their work at craft shows in various NC towns. My father was king of the BBQ grill. He loved to fire it up anytime. We always had great conversations around the grill.

TB:

It seems you had a pretty good childhood. You were in college by the time your folks moved here. So, you were just here on holidays and summer breaks, right?

TE:

Yes, I did have a great childhood. Having the opportunity to travel and live in different countries was very special. Our parents gave us every opportunity we needed to excel. They instilled good qualities in all their kids.

I only stayed in The Meadows with my parents for one summer. I moved out to Siesta Key, which was the starting point of getting serious about getting a steady job that eventually led me into the career I just retired from.

I'm the youngest of six kids. My youngest sister, Mary Ellen. Then Paul and Doug. Then Rich. And my oldest brother, Bill, who is still with us. He and his family are out in Colorado. I’m the only one living in Florida.

TB:

I would imagine a family gathering with six kids and all your friends in villa in Woodmans Chart was crowded.

TE:

My parents did not mind packing everyone in. They really enjoyed having gatherings with our friends and theirs. They were always open to meeting our friends. They were amazing parents. They got along well with everyone.

TB:

It sounds like you a great family life. You are fortunate.

TE:

Yes, very fortunate. I realize now how special my parents were. They were married for 65 years and had a wonderful relationship.

My parents are interred in Venice, Florida, side by side, at the Venice Catholic Church. I recently ordered plaques for the Memorial Garden to honor their memory here in this community.

TB:

They are distinguished members of the community.

TE:

Thank you for saying that. I was happy to have been in Sarasota with them during their last years. That time gave me the chance to become very close with them.

I feel very fortunate to have found out about this project. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share a little about my parents.

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