Sarasota in Sarasota County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Lido Beach Casino/Ralph Spencer Twitchell

Lido Beach Casino Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, February 27, 2020

1. Lido Beach Casino Marker

Inscription.

Lido Beach Casino/Ralph Spencer Twitchell. . Lido Beach Casino. For nearly thirty years the Lido Beach Casino attracted residents and tourist for pool and gulf swimming, dining, dancing, shopping, and enjoying the beach. Activities such as swim meets, beauty pageants, and school and social events, were held here., The exceptional Art Deco style casino, designed by renowned architect, Ralph Twitchell, was recognized in part of his cast concrete seahorses, glass block, and murals of tropical scenes., The City of Sarasota acquired the necessary land from the John Ringling Estate and secured federal funds from the Works Progress Administration for construction of the casino. More than 1000 people attended the formal opening in December 1940. The city considered renovating the casino in the 1960s, but had it torn down in 1969 and replaced it with a smaller building., Ralph Spencer Twitchell. Ralph Twitchell was a major contributor to the architectural history of Sarasota from his arrival in 1926 to his death in 1978. After earning degrees in architecture from Columbia University, Twitchell came to Sarasota to work with Dwight James Baum, architect for the El Verona Hotel, John and Mable Ringling home, and the Sarasota County Courthouse. One year later, he left Baum’s office and continued to use the Mediterranean Revival style of his work with Baum in the designs for his own company. Twitchell’s first independent project was a group of homes in the Whitfield Estates subdivision in the 1920s., During the 1930s, Twitchell’s style included a greater emphasis on local building materials and a more modern design which responded to the needs of the Florida climate. His 1932 Craftsman style Out-of-Door School library was built of cypress. The Art Deco style of the Lido Casino reflected the modern influences which contributed to Twitchell’s work from the 1940s on. With Paul Rudolph, his partner for four years after World War II, Twitchell attracted many young architects to Sarasota. Their collective work later gained an international reputation as the Sarasota School of Architecture.

Lido Beach Casino
For nearly thirty years the Lido Beach Casino attracted residents and tourist for pool and gulf swimming, dining, dancing, shopping, and enjoying the beach. Activities such as swim meets, beauty pageants, and school and social events, were held here.

The exceptional Art Deco style casino, designed by renowned architect, Ralph Twitchell, was recognized in part of his cast concrete seahorses, glass block, and murals of tropical scenes.

The City of Sarasota acquired the necessary land from the John Ringling Estate and secured federal funds from the Works Progress Administration for construction of the casino. More than 1000 people attended the formal opening in December 1940. The city considered renovating the casino in the 1960s, but had it torn down in 1969 and replaced it with a smaller building.

Ralph Spencer Twitchell
Ralph Twitchell was a major contributor to the architectural history of Sarasota from his arrival in 1926 to his death in 1978. After earning degrees in architecture from Columbia University, Twitchell came to Sarasota to work with Dwight James Baum, architect for the El

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Verona Hotel, John and Mable Ringling home, and the Sarasota County Courthouse. One year later, he left Baum’s office and continued to use the Mediterranean Revival style of his work with Baum in the designs for his own company. Twitchell’s first independent project was a group of homes in the Whitfield Estates subdivision in the 1920s.

During the 1930s, Twitchell’s style included a greater emphasis on local building materials and a more modern design which responded to the needs of the Florida climate. His 1932 Craftsman style Out-of-Door School library was built of cypress. The Art Deco style of the Lido Casino reflected the modern influences which contributed to Twitchell’s work from the 1940s on. With Paul Rudolph, his partner for four years after World War II, Twitchell attracted many young architects to Sarasota. Their collective work later gained an international reputation as the Sarasota School of Architecture.

Erected 1996 by Sarasota County Historical Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas. In

Ralph Spencer Twitchell Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, February 27, 2020

2. Ralph Spencer Twitchell Marker

addition, it is included in the Art Deco series list.

Location. 27° 18.65′ N, 82° 34.571′ W. Marker is in Sarasota, Florida, in Sarasota County. It can be reached from the intersection of Benjamin Franklin Drive and Grant Drive, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located behind the Lido Beach Pool. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 Benjamin Franklin Dr, Sarasota FL 34246, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Beach Segregation (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gulf Beach Motel (approx. 0.2 miles

Lido Beach Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Burnell

3. Lido Beach Marker

away); Donors to "Save our Statues" (approx. half a mile away); Carla Wallenda (approx. half a mile away); “Rogana” – Dora Foster (approx. half a mile away); Starless Night (approx. half a mile away); Allen Bloom (approx. half a mile away); Cucciolo (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sarasota.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, February 27, 2020

4. Ralph Spencer Twitchell Marker

Photo Insert: Lido Beach Casino image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, February 27, 2020

5. Photo Insert: Lido Beach Casino

Lido Beach Pool & Pavilion sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, February 27, 2020

6. Lido Beach Pool & Pavilion sign

Credits. This page was last revised on March 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,223 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 7, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.