Owen Burns

Who was Owen Burns?

Owen Burns was born in Fredericktown in Cecil County on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. He was an entrepreneur, banker, builder, and land developer who at one time owned the majority of Sarasota, Florida and developed or built many of its historic structures, developments, roads, seawalls, and bridges. He became a leader in the community, contributing to its growth and development.

Born into a North Carolina family that dates to Francis Burns, who left Ayrshire, Ayr County, Scotland for America in 1734 with Gabrielle Johnston. Francis Burns was granted land by the king of England, which remains in family ownership. The county seat, Burnsville, North Carolina is named for Owen's grandfather, Otway Burnes, Sr., a privateer naval hero and legislator, and the town of Otway, in Carteret County, North Carolina also is named for him. As a visitor, Owen Burns had come to Sarasota from Chicago for its famed fishing and in 1910, settled there, and remained for the rest of his life. He also helped with the promotion of the developing community, contributing to the attraction of many around the country to Sarasota.