This Week Newsletter - February 17, 2010
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The Understated Ringling Brother
You can't name too many people who have never heard of John Ringling. He gets a lot of credit for Sarasota's development, and cultural ammenities. However, one of his six brothers, Charles Ringling, also made a big impact on Sarasota's development. Actually, they were next door neighbors and very competitive. So when you drive down Ringling Boulevard, be sure to give credit where credit is due...it is named for Charles and not John. To learn more about Charles and his wife Edith, be sure and Click Here to watch our video. Tales of Sarasota
This week, Pete and Diane had a great experience with the nephew of the "Bicycle Lady" they wrote about a while back. To their delight, they were contacted by Bob Holum and they spent some time together to learn more about Margaret Myrwang and her art and colorful life. Sarasota History Alive! is happy to learn about these chance encounters, and encourage our viewers to contact us when you have more information about Pete and Diane's blog, or our articles. Click here to read their blog. Small world... 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 in honor of the Bertha Palmer Centennial Celbration.) Bertha Palmer Adds Cowboy to her Estate
The Chicago Journal has the following article on “Big Bill” Ferguson, who has taken charge of Mrs. Potter Palmer’s ranch along both sides of the Myakka River: A cowboy chaperon has been called as Cerberus for the citrus groves and white-sanded beaches upon Mrs. Potter Palmer’s small southern kingdom at Osprey, Fla. His name is “Big Bill” – no kin of Chicago’s mayor. In his chaps and moccasins, this Indian-eyed protector for the properties of Chicago society’s dowager empress stands 6 feet 3. Possibly the correct way in which to introduce to the reading public “Big Bill” and his recently acquired investiture of this portfolio from Mrs. Palmer, would seem to be through the medium of a crisp little news item. This scarcely would belong to the society column, even though it concerns a minister plenipotentiary to certain branches of his sovereign’s realm. Will Be Tutor In Woodcraft Yet here’s the item: “W.H. Ferguson of Central Point, Oregon, known to his intimate friends as “Big Bill,” will pass a portion of the winter season in Osprey, Fla. Mr. Ferguson is proceeding thither to act as woodcraft tutor to the five grandchildren of Mrs. Potter Palmer, and to perfect them in this primitive art of being true Americans. A liberal salary will repay Mr. Ferguson for his trouble.” “As is well known in the West, Mr. Ferguson is a cattle-breeder of repute as well as a champion bronco buster. It is understood that while he is in the South, Mrs. Palmer will remodel a section of her estate, and oust from this space all citrus fruits, so as to replace baby lemons with baby beef.” Sounds very simple and businesslike, doesn’t it? But back of this little notation lurks a genuine heart-story. Read more... (photo credit: Sarasota County History Center)
The J.J. and Maude Murphy House
The J.J. and Maude Murphy House, located at 1263 12th Street, was originally located at 1522 North Tamiami Trail, in the Valencia Terrace Subdivision. Both the Craftsman Style Bungalow and the one-story wood frame garage were originally constructed for single family domestic use, but in 1953, they were converted into office and storage space. In 2006, the new owner had the structures moved and were refurbished into residential use as her home. The house originally stood on two lots along the east side of U.S. 41. Although a number of WWII residential structures were located this stretch of the Tamiami Trail at one time, virtually all have been demolished and replaced with commercial or condominium buildings over the years. Many of the homes in the 15th Street area continue to retain its residential state with numerous residences constructed over several decades, from the 1920s into the 1950s, ranging from Frame Vernacular structures to Spanish Eclectic bungalows to simple Craftsman style homes. Historic Context In the 1920s, single family residences both in the state and in Sarasota were constructed at an unparalleled pace as a result of the Florida Land Boom and prosperity of the nation following the end of World War I. During this period, residential subdivision were platted throughout new and expanding suburban residential areas within the Sarasota city limits. Cheap land prices and the promise of quick profits swept the city into a spiral of development. Sarasota was fast replacing the fishing village image with that of a developing resort community and a modern city. Read more... (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.
Tea With Bertha
The next chance you have to enjoy this exquisite event it on March 16, 2010, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Myakka River State Park. Tickets are $15, and reservations can be made by calling 941-316-8139, or visit www.floridastateparks.org/myakkariver. Pictured above are Judith Liepold as Bertha, and Hope Black as her maid. |
Separate But Not Equal(In honor of Black History Month, we are happy to share an excerpt from Jeff LaHurd's book, Sarasota - A History. His very popular book is now in its second printing and can be purchased at local bookstores.)
The first black members of our community to settle here – “negro” or “colored” were the nicer names by which they were known at the time – were, according to A.B. Edwards, Aaron and Jeannette Bryant, “brought in as, respectively, a household servant for one family…and a maid servant of another.” They were “taught how to work and to know their place. They later married and established their own home, and attended the white Methodist church and all community affairs.” Two early settlers here were runaway slave, George Washington, who lived near today’s Sarasota Jungle Gardens, and Lewis Colson, who became a well-respected citizen, known as Reverend Colson. He had been with the group of land surveyors who had platted Sarasota in 1885 for the Florida Mortgage and Investment Company. In 1897, for the consideration of one dollar, he sold to the trustees of the Bethlehem Baptist Church the property on Central and Seventh Street on which the Bethlehem Baptist Church was built. He was the first minister of the church, serving from 1899 until 1918. He and his wife Irene are the only African Americans to be buried in Rosemary Cemetery. While Edwards remembers these people and others in the black community fondly, his recollections are sprinkled with descriptions that leave no doubt that while the early black settlers were respected and pulled their own weight, they were, for the most part, treated as second-class citizens. Read more... (photo credit: Sarasota County History Center) Takin' It To The Streets
The Saints & Sinners Tour is sure to delight the long time resident as well as those visiting Sarasota for the first time. The two hour tour invites guests to examine a unique cast of historical characters and decide for themselves who were the saints, and who were the sinners. To learn more about the tour visit us online or give us a call 951-7727. Yesterday's Sarasota CalendarEvery 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 homepage to find out what occured today. Also, be sure and check out Whit's website at: www.ChickenHillNC.com.
(photo credit: Sarasota County History Center) Belated Valentine Wish
When I saw this plain little Valentine History Locator
One half mile south of this marker once stood a log structure where church services were held by circuit riding preachers. During the week the building was used as a school. William Rawls and A.M. "Gus" Wilson each donated land for what is now the church and cemetery. In 1886 the church was built and the graves of some of the early settlers dot the small cemetery. Gus Wilson served as State Senator from this area and played a prominent part in state and local government. One fourth mile NW of here, on Wilson Road is the site of the one room school built in 1914 now used as a community meeting house. (photo credit: Sarasota County History Center) Who Am I?The winner from our last quiz was Richard Strong. 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. This Week's Clues:
During the 1920s Land Boom time, some rich guy's yacht sank near me. There was a scandal because of the missing passenger manifest. Not because it was missing, but due to two notable people on board. Seems they didn't want the press to learn they were having an extra-marital affair! They would have ended up in hot water (bad pun, I know). As for your question: This bridge was demolished quite a long time ago, but its replacement retains the same name. What is my name? Click here to submit your answer. (photo credit: Sarasota County History Center)
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?
Ain't Life Grand?
Wait a minute...that's a dog in a tree and not a cat! What gives? Seems this peppy pup just enjoys climbing this particular oak in none other than Osprey Point (now called Historic Spanish Point). Your editor found this amusing image in Bertha Palmer's photo album. What a lucky dog! (photo credit: Sarasota County History Center)
The 20th Annual Homes Tour
The five homes featured on the tour are located in the historic Indian Beach/Sapphire Shores area neighborhoods that includes the John Ringling Estate. The Sarasota Trolley will be available to transport you from home to home. You may enjoy the beautiful sites along the way, while learning about the history of the neighborhood presented by the knowledgeable Sarasota County Historic Preservation Specialist, Lorrie Muldowney, and others. For ticket information to this very popular annual event, click here.
Art Show at Historic Philippi Creek
Enter for a chance to win original artworks by the Colsons, kick back and see ballroom dance exhibitions, and listen to great music. Refreshments will be served. All donations and raffle proceeds benefit the restoration of the historic Phillippi Farmhouse. For more information, call 941-861-5000. |
The year is 1914. You have an invitation to tea with Mrs. Bertha Palmer, a woman as comfortable hiking her skirt up to tread on the Myakka prairie as she was rubbing shoulders with kings.
It has never been easy being an African American in Sarasota. Florida had been, after all, a slave state and prejudice flourished long after the Civil War and even after civil rights legislation. 
With a grateful nod to the Doobie Brother's hit from the 70's we are thrilled to announce that Sarasota History Alive! is now evangelizing local history on the streets where it was made in addition to our online musings.
Today in 1914 Thomas Worcester held a housewarming party to welcome friends and family to his new palatial home on Bird Key, "New Edzell Castle." He originally built it and named it after his wife's family home in Scotland. John Ringling later bought the mansion to be used as a Winter White House for Warren G. Harding who showed the great discourtesy of dying before it ever fulfilled its role.
While at the Sarasota County History Center, you editor came across one of Bertha Palmer's Valentine's Day cards. The image above doesn't show how it pops up, and reveals another little toddler underneath the doily. The inside text reads as follows:
Today we are honoring the Miakka marker. It reads:
I've decided to make this week's quiz easy for you. Afterall, just what can you say about a bridge. 
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 week's mage. 
The Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation is proud to announce their 20th Annual Historic Homes Tour on Sunday, March 7, 2010, from 11 AM to 5 PM.
It's not too often you can enjoy an art show by renowned artists Frank and Sean Colson, and help support the restoration of a historic structure at the same time. Well, art enthusiasts, the Friends of Sarasota Parks is proud to announce your chance to attend this event on Friday, February 19, 2010 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, at the Edson Keith Mansion at Phillippi Estate Park. The park is located at 5500 South Tamiami Trail, and admission is free."Sarasota History Alive!" is a part of the "Florida History Alive!" network
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