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

Avondale

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, February 27, 2016

1. Avondale Marker

Inscription.
In December 1913, Oscar and Alice Burton joined real estate developer and future Sarasota mayor Arthur B. Edwards (1914-1915 and 1920-1921) and his wife Fannie in selling the land south of Hudson Bayou to the Sarasota Improvement Company. In 1915, the area, recorded as Avondale Heights Subdivision, was advertised as "a place for families of average means." To promote the development, a modern bungalow valued at $1500 was to be given away. The same advertisement offered 75 choice lots for $250, with an easy payment plan of $50 down and monthly payments of $10. Even with the special promotions, Avondale Heights developed slowly.

In 1923, Irving Bacheller, Edward Brewer, and Fred Woolley purchased the underdeveloped lots. In 1924, the Bacheller-Brewer Corporation re-platted the subdivision as Avondale, enlarged the lots, and widened the streets in an effort to make the area more upscale and exclusive. A painting by noted Chicago artist Gibson Catlett promoted Avondale as a place to "Come and Enjoy the Golden Sunset of Sarasota." During 1925, Avondale experienced impressive land sales and gained recognition as a premier

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subdivision in the Sarasota area. (Continued on other side) Reverse: (Continued from other side) The real estate whirlwind known as the Florida Land Boom and the new management contributed to the improved sales. Most of the lots were sold by the end of 1925 with the exception of the larger ones along Hudson Bayou. In an effort to attract wealthy residents, Bacheller-Brewer decided to market the remaining estate-size lots with a model home. Thomas Reed Martin, well known Sarasota and Chicago architect, designed a Mediterranean Revival style model home located at 1903 Lincoln Drive. The house, constructed in 1926, fell victim to the real estate bust and stood vacant until its sale in 1929 to Homer Galpin, an attorney and former Illinois state senator from Chicago. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992, the house features a two-story central core flanked by one-story wings and represents the high-quality home construction the Bacheller-Brewer Corporation promoted in Avondale.

Today the neighborhood boasts of some Colonial Revival style homes dating from the 1930s, but most of the homes appear tone from the

Avondale Marker Reverse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, February 27, 2016

2. Avondale Marker Reverse

1950s and 1960s.

Erected by Sarasota County Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places.

Location. 27° 19.378′ N, 82° 31.833′ W. Marker is in Sarasota, Florida, in Sarasota County. It is at the intersection of Bahia Vista Street and Brewer Place, on the right when traveling west on Bahia Vista Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sarasota FL 34239, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the 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: Sarasota High School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mable Ringling Memorial Fountain / Luke Wood Park

Avondale Marker with surrounding area. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, February 27, 2016

3. Avondale Marker with surrounding area.

(approx. half a mile away); Smally, Donald J. P.E. (approx. half a mile away); The Wallendas (approx. 0.6 miles away); De Sota Park / Logan and Currin, Inc. (approx. 0.6 miles away); In Loving Memory of of Sue Anna Kauffman (approx. 0.6 miles away); Selby Gardens (approx. 0.6 miles away); Mr. Grover Yancy (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sarasota.

Also see . . . About Avondale. (Submitted on July 18, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 4, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 776 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 4, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.