The first formal organization on Casey Key was that of a group of residents north of Blackburn Bridge, formed to purchase a large segment of the bay bottom from the state of Florida. This prompted others to follow suit, thus preventing dredge and fill operations along Casey Key shores.

In 1949 the motel owners organized to share advertising costs and work together on mutual problems. It was through their efforts that a temporary pontoon bridge was put across the Inland Waterway while the present bascule bridge was being built on Albee Road.

In 1952 the Middle Island Association was formed with boundaries from Blackburn Bridge to the motel area. The first action taken was to address an acute electrical power shortage that was causing discomfort during the cold winter months. A committee worked with the Florida Power and Light Company to solve the problem.

In 1953 the Middle Island Association got a special act approved by the Florida State Legislature which zoned the middle island segment for residential use only. This was the first zoning of an unincorporated area in the state of Florida.

Another project was the paving of the existing shell road. Property owners contributed twenty cents per front foot with the stipulation that the road would retain a winding "country road look."

The present Casey Key (Protective) Association was formed in 1955, merging the middle island and north island groups. The first act of the new Association was to arrange for an augmented patrol under the Sheriff's Department. This was the beginning of the excellent protection we receive at the present time.

In 1966 Officers of the Association acting as a committee, reviewed earlier efforts to find a satisfactory water supply. Continued efforts resulted in the formation of the Casey Key (Water) Association, which started to supply water to Casey Key in 1971.

In 1970-71 the Association was successful in having the State Legislature enact the Casey Key Conservation Act, which received overwhelming support from the Casey Key property owners. The Act designates Casey Key from 615 Casey Key Road all the way to the north end to be a wildlife and marine sanctuary, restricts use of the land to single family residences, and prohibits unreasonable destruction of natural vegetation or disturbance of submerged marine breeding areas. Also in 1970-71 the Association led the successful opposition to the plans of a developer to have the then Floridaland property across the bay rezoned for high density, high rise condominium construction. This property is now Southbay.

The first Annual Meeting was held on January 5, 1972, at the Nokomis Fire Station.

In 1981 a civil defense system was organized by the Association under the directorship of Bill Shaw. Linked directly to Sarasota, the system was to provide the best information to Casey Key homeowners in the event of an approaching hurricane and was a service of the Casey Key Water Company.

The Association has addressed many issues head on...one of the most recent of these is the saving of the Blackburn Point Bridge, which was to be replaced by a duel lane ultra high bridge and widening of the channel to enable ocean vessels to navigate the Intercoastal Waterway. Led by Mario Messina and backed by a strong Association, the proposed replacement never came to fruition.

The Casey Key Association has always had a strong relationship with county officials, especially the commissioners and it is important to continue to have a strong well-financed Association run by well-respected Officers and Board members. Please consider becoming a CKA member.