Founded in 1971 by John and Elizabeth Davidson, it is now a part of a family of twelve community and business newspapers published by Observer Media Group.

The Davidsons later renamed the paper to the Siesta Key Pelican.

[2] In 1998 the paper was purchased by Journal Media Group, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, joining a large publication family with interests in other states.

In 2015, OMG changed the name to the Siesta Key Observer.

[6] In 2016, Emily Walsh was named publisher of Siesta Key Observer.