This Week Newsletter - August 18, 2010
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Rigby's LaPlaza - A Unique Historic District
Everytime you head down Osprey Avenue between Mound Street and Alta Vista Street, you can't help but notice this small and inviting historic district, built by Harry Rigby back in the 1920s. Your editor has always wanted to live in one of the Mediterranean Revival classics, but for now he will just have to admire them when passing by. Take some time to visit these unique places in our video commemorating this special place. Click here to view it now.
Tales of Sarasota
Hear, hear! Let's hear it for the 'Old Building' at Sarasota High School. Your editor found some photos in the 1937 Sailor's Log (yearbook) of the building's foyer where classical statues once resided. He often has wondered what happened to them and called Pete and Diane to see where these gems have ended up. (He is also perplexed as to where the finials on top of the building went, as well) Diane decided to do her blog about the missing statues this week, so Click here to read all about it. If you have any information on their whereabouts, please contact us at: editor@floridahistoryalive.com.
The Sarasota Times(The Sarasota Times newspaper was our area's first. Rose Wilson was the publisher and editor for many years after her husband passed away. Sarasota History Alive! would like to share artices from this paper with you that reflect on our heritage.
Today we have chosen one that tells of Sarasota getting a new Steamer, that arrived at the dock at lower Main Street on February 9, 1911. We can almost see it in the distance... With flags flying and met by several launches and pleasure boats, the new steamer arrived from Tampa at Higel’s dock Monday afternoon, where it was met by the citizens, welcomed by the Sarasota Brass Band and christened “The City of Sarasota” by Miss Esther Edmondson. Large numbers of citizens, visitors, many from the country were present. When news of the steamer’s coming was announced, the launch Siesta from the Belle Haven Inn and several other boats, carrying passengers, went up the bay to meet the steamer and on arriving presented a beautiful sight, with the smaller craft following behind. As soon as the steamer drew alongside the dock and immediately after landing, they were greeted with music by the Sarasota Brass Band, under the leadership of Mr. Liebert. Three cheers were given for the City of Sarasota, and from the deck, Mayor H.S. Smith made a speech in which he said the handsome new steamer was quite in keeping with the advance in progress and the city’s growth of the past year. Mr. Harry L. Higel gave a brief history of the boat since she first appeared in Sarasota fourteen years ago, as a one-deck fish boat, and the improvements that were from time to time added as the increased business made it necessary, until this elegant steamer with its splendid passenger and freight facilities, was a credit to Sarasota. Read more... (photo credit: Sarasota County History Center) The McCall House
The McCall House is located at 2445 Alameda Avenue in Sarasota Bay Park Subdivision within the city limits of Sarasota, Florida. The structure's style is best described as Craftsman with Eclectic influences. Along with its Craftsman design and construction techniques, evidence of other stylistic influences can be seen such as Prairie, Colonial Revival and Adam. HISTORICAL INFORMATION During the 1920's, residential subdivisions were platted throughout an expanded city limits. Cheap land prices and the promise of quick profits swept the city into a spiral of development. This decade brought unparalleled growth to Florida. Sarasota Downtown development was coupled with expanding suburban residential areas. Sarasota was fast replacing the fishing village image that it had with that of a developing resort community. Construction following World War I, produced what would become a modern city. During this economic boom, Benjamin F. McCall began construction of the subject property in 1925. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN McCALL Benjamin Franklin McCall was an early Sarasota resident who came to Sarasota from Madison, Florida in 1896. His father owned a mill on the Suwannee River. In January, 1896, members of his family took a cruise on his father's sloop down the west coast of Florida from Bay Port in Hernando County to Estero in Lee County. On the trip, they learned that land was being made available for homesteading on Little Sarasota Key (now Siesta Key). Later, that year, Benjamin, being of age at 22, was elected to settle a tract. They chose a tract just north of the Point of Rocks, running from the Bay to Little Sarasota Pass (now closed) and such parts as remain, now called Heron Lagoon, containing 154 acres. The only practical way in was by boat. Benjamin received a patent on the land under the signature of President Theodore Roosevelt in 1902. The patent was duly registered in the Clerk of the Court's office in Manatee County. In 1905, he sold all but a small parcel of the land to his brother, Joshua. After leaving the homestead on the key, he went to work for the Federal Government as a carpenter foreman in the building division of the Isthmanian Canal Commission on the construction of the Panama Canal from 1905-1907. Upon completion of his work on the canal, he returned to Sarasota.
Although McCall had little formal education, his grammar, syntax and
penmanship were said to be excellent and in 1907 or 1908, McCall entered
into a partnership with his two step-brothers, William and J.C.
Calhoun, sons of his mother from her first marriage. The Calhoun
Brothers had established the store in 1903. When McCall joined them in
the operation of the store, the store became Calhoun & McCall.
Together they operated one of Sarasota's first dry goods, notions and
grocery stores on East Main Street next door to the post office and near
the railroad depot. Read more...
Ain't Life Grand?
This week, he came across a Bicyclic Obstetrical Calendar belonging to Dr. Furman Whitaker, and patented in 1900. Your editor doesn't know "nuthin' about birthin' no babies" so he was fascinated to see how early doctors calculated when an expecting Mom was going to have her treasure to hold. Pretty amazing, for sure. (photo credit: Sarasota County History Center)
The Very Thing to Send (Electronically)
Oh, how perfectly convenient! Vintage e-Postcards of Sarasota to send to friends and family with a quick thought from you. Nobody has much free time to write and stamp a card these days, so check out our postcard service. It's fun and as 'easy as pie'. Click here to view the postcards, and try out this 'good time' feature.
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Cherokee Park - A Dream Fulfilled
Separated from Osprey Avenue by a stucco wall and gate posts with decorative tile work depicting a Cherokee rose, the subdivision was platted in 1926 and is near Southside School. Brown built this wall and gate posts, along with interior streets and his own home, the Cherokee Lodge, before the bottom fell out of Sarasota’s real estate market in 1927. Brown was a silk manufacturer born in Scotland who came to Sarasota from New Jersey. According to Dorothy Stockbridge-Pratt in a 1994 article in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Cherokee Lodge was designed by Sarasota architect Thomas Reed Martin. It was completed in 1926 at the reported cost of $500,000. The lodge was sold in 1931 and ultimately demolished in 1962 when canal front lots were developed. In addition to regulating architectural design, deed restrictions in Cherokee Park dictated a minimum construction value of $10,000 for lots on the bay front and $7,500 for interior lots. They also required masonry construction and restricted fences and outbuildings to the rear of the lots. Horses, cows, cattle, hogs and poultry were not permitted. Read more... (photo credit: Sarasota County History Center)
Yesterday's Sarasota Calendar
Also, be sure and check out Whit's website at: www.ChickenHillNC.com. Friday in 1909, the Blackburn Hardware Store, on the corner of Main Street and Palm Avenue, was destroyed by fire despite the efforts of Sarasota's new fire department. The fire began in a bakery occupying the back of the hardware store. (photo credit: Sarasota County History Center)
Circus Acrobat - From Back Bender to Tightrope Walkerby Lou Ann Palmer
It was the birth of the Greatest Little Show on Earth--the SAILOR CIRCUS. I was in the eighth grade and just jumped at the chance. Having been a dancer and acrobat from the time I was about four, it was a fabulous opportunity to explore a completely new version of entertainment. Since there was no junior high school then, all students at SHS from 7th to 12th grade were eligible. A little assistance from Ringling Brothers and children of the Wallenda, Unus, and Heyer families helped to coach and perform. Flying trapeze, tightrope, web, tumbling, clowning, unicycling, juggling, high bar really tested the physical fitness of the kids. Animal acts were included such as the Heyer horses. One year my swinging ladder act followed the galloping jumpers. What a mess! First night-- hopping around #1, second night--maneuvering through #2, and third night--skipping through a double header. My ballet shoes certainly had a very distinctive odor. I fell in love with my first boyfriend, Ron Troyer, flying through the air with the greatest of ease--that daring young couple on the flying trapeze. We learned discipline, teamwork, trust, success, and failure and over 100 students all over Sarasota County from grades 4 through 12 continue every year to provide amazing entertainment. This year they will do so under the brand new "tent" being constructed on Bahia Vista near 41. The 61-year-old Sarasota County Police Athletic League now runs the show. The last issue of Sarasota History Alive! spoke glowingly about the story of the Circus Hall of Fame. I was so lucky to have been one of the performers for four shows every day with Ringling star Dolly Copeland and several others. What a shame that it's no longer alive. The photo above shows me eating Heinz soup in an advertisement the company made for its newsletter. The circus experience was incredibly useful for my later job as a city commissioner; elected public servants have to walk the tightrope every day! Thank goodness for Sailor Circus and the Circus Hall of Fame. Go see the Sailor Circus performances around the holidays and spring vacation. These kids will knock you off your seats!!!! (Correction re: 'The Purple Cow' article in the August 4, 2010 newsletter. Sue Blue stated that Frank Lloyd Wright's wife "ordered" her son-in-law with Taliesin Architects to design the Van Wezel as a purple shell. Her husband had already left the planet. Sorry, Sue.) (photo credit: Lou Ann Palmer collection)
History Locator
Among the number of circuses that have called Sarasota County home, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus [RBBB] is the largest and the one that has had the longest association with Venice. Its roots go back to a small show the five Ringling brothers established in 1884. The winter quarters was in Baraboo, Wisconsin, home of the Ringlings. Bridgeport, Connecticut, winter quarters of the Barnum & Bailey Circus, became its second home. In 1927, John Ringling brought the circus winter quarters to Sarasota, where it remained until 1959. No longer needing the acreage it had in Sarasota, but still needing a rail connection, RBBB moved the winter quarters to Venice in 1960. The 30-year lease provided that the circus would occupy 15 acres of undeveloped airport property with an option to renew for an additional 20 years. The rent was set at $1000 a year, with adjustments to be based on the federal cost-of-living index. Since the circus no longer performed under the “Big Top,” construction soon began on a 55,000 square-foot, 5000-seat arena. Adjacent structures housed staging, costumes and wardrobe space. Read reverse side...
Who Am I?The winner from our last quiz was Nobody!! What happened, folks? Did we make the quiz too difficult? We admit is was a very obscure photo that not many people have seen. You will be totally surprsed when you click below to find the answer. Better luck, next time. We would like to thank our generous sponsors for providing prizes. You too, can become a sponsor (see below). Click here to review the photo, question and the correct answer of last week's challenge.
So, your challenge is to name me - Who Am I? (photo credit: Sarasota County History Center)
Your prize this week is a Sarasota High School tote bag, and is created and supplied by Sarasota History Alive!
If you would like to be a sponsor of our "Where Am I?" quiz, please call us at (941) 951-7727. It only cost $25 per week for us to set up your ad, and then you only have to provide a prize for the winner. What could be easier?
Letters-To-The-EditorWe are accepting letters-to-the-editor, so please Click here to submit your comments, experiences, ideas, and general informat ion. Thanks for continuing to keep Sarasota’s history alive!
Dear Editor: My grandfather, James Warren (Jack) Crawford, and grandmother, Elizabeth Bartram (Dolly) Crawford, were long-time residents of Sarasota. With the death of my father much of our knowledge of his parents contributions to the shaping of the City has been lost. I believe there was at one time an historical plaque which may or may not have had something to do with Grandfather Jack's building of the Tamiami Trail. Do you have any history to share? Elizabeth Crawford
Dear Editor:
I am very happy to see him remembered in this light. Rick Meyer (Editor's note: the photo is of Ben Stahl in his office, courtesy of the Sarasota County History Center.)
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Your editor spends a great deal of time at the Sarasota County History Center finding interesting information for you to ponder. While there, he also comes across many photos that depict life at an earlier time in history. With that in mind, check out this image.
Although owner and developer J.C. Brown’s 1vision for
Cherokee Park as a neighborhood where all of the homes would be designed in the
“Spanish, Moorish, or Italian styles of architecture” wasn’t realized, today’s Cherokee Park has a
diversity of architectural styles, ranging from boom time revival to post World
War II modern.
Every day of the year we highlight what took place in Sarasota's history, thanks to Whit Rylee and Tom Payne's extensive research and sense of humor. Frequently check our website's 
Bill Rutland, a coach at Sarasota High School, created a totally new
concept in 1949----initially a gymnastics show that was performed in the
gym and only utilized male talent. It was so successful that Rutland decided to move the event to the
SHS Ihrig field, put up one circus ring, and allow SHS ladies to
participate, too. 
This week we are honoring The Circus in Venice historical marker. It reads: 
Aren't I just a lovely place? During the 1920s, I was all the rage for gatherings and even gambling took place upstairs (shhhh...). Even the City of Sarasota's first mayor, A.B. Edwards commented on me, "Millionaires came to Sarasota during the 'Boom Years' and were paid off in silver dollars. No local people, except a few big shots, were allowed in that guarded door."
In reading the letter from
Jan Godown Annino she mentioned the art infuences, particuarly that of Ben
Stahl. Ben Stahl was my uncle, my
mother's brother, and a very positive influence on me and many others. My wife, who is an accomplished artist, also
remarks how he influenced her in her early days of studying art under H.O. Davis
at Sarastoa High School in the '60s. "Sarasota History Alive!" is a part of the "Florida History Alive!" network
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