J. Walton Taylor

Jemison Walton Taylor came to Sarasota in 1941 to work at Green’s Fuel (see below for more about Green).  He was soon followed by his wife, Elaine Dorsey. J. Walton began as a salesman with the company and rose to the position of Executive Vice-President of the Company.

Mr. Taylor died in 1993 and his widow continued to live in the house and own the property until August 1995.  Mrs. Taylor died in 2002.

James Green and his new fuel

At the height of the Florida Boom, James B. Green came to Sarasota from Alabama.  Green conceived an idea for a new fuel based upon the complaints from customers of his plumbing business,  Customers were disappointed in the lack of heating fuels available in Sarasota.  The electric plant was overtaxes, there was no gas system and power losses were common.  Many residents were force to keep kerosene and wood for cooking and heating.  In 1931, Green began testing a specific fuel formula and to devise a method to make the fuel in quantities.  In 1932, he perfected a system to store and distribute the fuel and he filed an application for a patent.  His was the first patent on an underground system for distributing liquified petroleum gas and the first installations were made in Sarasota.

Learn more about Green’s Fuel at Sarasota History Alive.