If you have spent time wandering on Siesta Key, you probably have traveled down Higel Avenue at some point in your exploration of this magnificent island and its crystal sand beaches. Higel was the first developer of Siesta Key, which originally was known as Little Sarasota Key. A native of Philadelphia who was born in 1867, he came to Venice, Fla., with his parents in 1884 and relocated to Sarasota shortly after the town was formed in 1902. In addition to his influence on Siesta Key, Hiegel was also elected mayor of Sarasota and served three terms.