Ernest Arthur Smith
(1878-1962)

Died aged c. 84

Ernest Arthur Smith was born in Manchester, New Hampshire, July 18, 1878. He led one of the largest automobile distributing agencies in New England. He retired in 1921 and came to Sarasota where he entered the real estate business and became President of the Sarasota Abstract Company. In 1922 he helped reorganize the Chamber of Commerce. In 1931, Smith was elected Mayor of Sarasota and served for 12 years. During his six terms, water mains were extended to outlying communities, a water softening plant was built and fire hydrants installed, thus cutting insurance rates. Smith led the movement to acquire land for the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, a municipal airport and the Chidsey Memorial Library. With the help of the Garden Club and other organizations, he made the municipal park into a city asset. Ernest Arthur Smith died in 1962.

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