On Main Street at North Palm Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Main Street.
Historic
Palm Tower
From livery stable, fish house and pool hall in the 1800’s to
Sarasota’s First “Skyscraper”
Construction began in 1924, was completed in 1925, expanding upwards from a 2-story boarding . . . — — Map (db m148205) HM
On St Armands Circle at John Ringling Boulevard, on the left when traveling south on St Armands Circle.
His dazzling performance on the tightwire won him center-ring stardom with “The Greatest Show On Earth.” He began his act impersonating a drunken man who, after staggering and stumbling on the wire, accomplished feats which only a . . . — — Map (db m147031) HM
On St Armands Circle at John Ringling Boulevard, on the left when traveling north on St Armands Circle.
A highly respected showman, circus owner and animal trainer. He took over a struggling Garden Bros. Circus following his father’s death and built it into an entertainment giant and Canada’s foremost major circus that rivaled Ringling Bros. in some . . . — — Map (db m147354) HM
On Bay Shore Road at Myrtle Street, on the left when traveling north on Bay Shore Road.
(side 1)
5,000 years ago, prehistoric Indians seasonally came to these shore, drawn by freshwater springs, bays teeming with fish and shellfish, and woods rich with game. By 1000 A.D. their middens, ceremonial mounds, and a village plaza . . . — — Map (db m60327) HM
On St Armands Circle at North Boulevard of the Presidents, on the left when traveling west on St Armands Circle.
Father and son owners of the Greatest Show On Earth, Irvin Feld and Kenneth Feld rebuilt the circus in America. Irvin acquired a faltering Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey in 1967, restored it to glory and secured its status as the longest . . . — — Map (db m147056) HM
On St Armands Circle at John Ringling Boulevard, on the left when traveling north on St Armands Circle.
Italo Fornasari, one of the circus world’s most esteemed comedic talents, and his family have influenced the art of clowning in virtually every field of entertainment. Benefiting from Italo’s comical antics, the family, including Italo’s wife, . . . — — Map (db m147549) HM
On St. Armands Circle at John Ringling Boulevard (Florida Route 789), on the left when traveling north on St. Armands Circle.
Trapeze artist extraordinaire, French-born Jacqueline is known for her spectacular heel catches and one toe hangs, all without safety devices. Her versatility extended to training and presenting eight species of animals, including her fantastic act . . . — — Map (db m147346) HM
On St Armands Circle at John Ringling Boulevard, on the left when traveling south on St Armands Circle.
Foremost circus manager of all time began his career as a bill poster. He rose rapidly in the circus world and became the leading challenger to the mighty Barnum. In 1880, Bailey joined Barnum to create “The Greatest Show On Earth”. A . . . — — Map (db m147033) HM
On St Armands Circle at Fillmore Dive, on the left when traveling north on St Armands Circle.
Swinging into the ring, attired in a loincloth, he was “Tarzan Zerbini, Lord of the Jungle” in one of the most innovative and crowed-pleasing wild animal acts of the 20th century. His dedication to the circus led him in 1980 into . . . — — Map (db m147447) HM
On Madison Drive at John Ringling Blvd on Madison Drive.
Jeanette represents the eighth generation of Germany’s Circus Williams family. She came to America when her mother Carola brought all their animals to RBBB to open their second unit in 1969. She worked an eighteen horse liberty act, and still . . . — — Map (db m243679) HM
On St. Armands Circle at John Ringling Boulevard (Florida Route 789), on the left when traveling north on St. Armands Circle.
She had a distinguished performing career aloft on the ground. Starred as the top mounter on both the Wallenda’s original seven-person pyramid on the highwire and on the Zoppe bareback riding act on which she appeared in the film, “The . . . — — Map (db m147546) HM
Near North Pineapple Avenue south of 1st Street, on the right when traveling north.
John D. MacDonald
1916-1986
During his years in Sarasota, John D. MacDonald became one of America's great writers. He published sixty-seven novels, five nonfiction works, more than five hundred short stories, and received numerous . . . — — Map (db m97322) HM
On Ringling Boulevard west of South Washington Blvd (U.S. 301), on the right when traveling east.
(side 1)
“The Father of Sarasota,” John Hamilton Gillespie, was born in 1852 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He arrived here in 1886 to assist the failing Florida Mortgage and Investment Company, a development company partially owned . . . — — Map (db m146104) HM
On St Armands Circle at John Ringling Boulevard, on the left when traveling north on St Armands Circle.
Though British by birth, he lived the American dream of rising from minor performer to become owner of the circus for which he worked. As owner of the mighty Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus, few have done more to preserve the traditions of the . . . — — Map (db m147490) HM
On St Armands Circle at North Boulevard of the Presidents, on the left when traveling west on St Armands Circle.
John Ringling North, nephew of the Ringling Brothers was president and producer of the circus for many years. He staged the most lavish spectacles in Ringling history and acquired “Gargantua”, the gorilla, he became the best known . . . — — Map (db m147064) HM
On St Armands Circle at John Ringling Boulevard, on the left when traveling north on St Armands Circle.
One of the circus world’s foremost entrepreneurs whose remarkable circus career began at age 4 and still flourishes three-quarters of a century later. In those 75 years, he has been a featured swaypole performer and has become a talent agent, . . . — — Map (db m147431) HM
On St. Armands Circle at South Boulevard of the Presidents, on the left when traveling east on St. Armands Circle.
A daring aerialist whose heart stopping performances made her one of the most accomplished highwire artists of the Post-World War II era. She was the first woman to begin and end her act by climbing to, and descending from, the highwire on the . . . — — Map (db m147255) HM
On North Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) at 10th Street, on the left when traveling north on North Tamiami Trail. Reported permanently removed.
Judah P. Benjamin, later considered "the Brains of the Confederacy," was an American lawyer and statesman. He was born on Saint Croix Island in 1811, grew up in South Carolina, and was educated at Yale College. He practiced law in New Orleans, . . . — — Map (db m65418) HM
On St Armands Circle at Fillmore Drive, on the left when traveling east on St Armands Circle.
Arguably the most famous elephant in history was brought to America from England by none other than famed showman P.T. Barnum in 1882. Cared for by trusted companion and keeper Mathew “Scotty” Scott, Jumbo was an African bush elephant . . . — — Map (db m147302) HM
On St Armands Circle at John Ringling Boulevard, on the left when traveling north on St Armands Circle.
A circus musician and bandleader, he began a ten-year career as a Windjammer at 18, trouping with and conducting the bands of some of the finest circuses including Barnum & Bailey. A prolific composer of music for the circus, his works capture the . . . — — Map (db m147682) HM
On St Armands Circle at Fillmore Dive, on the left when traveling north on St Armands Circle.
When he was ten, Ken was sure his life would be in the circus. A unique style of traditional white face clowning was the primary focus of his performing years. Starting with the Cristiani Bros., and also Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey . . . — — Map (db m147262) HM
On Monica Parkway just east of North Lockwood Ridge Road, in the median.
Side 1
After World War II, Sarasota experienced an influx of new residents, creating a housing boom. Martin Paver, retired from his business in New York, was on a pleasure cruise in 1949 when he and his wife Mildred docked in Sarasota to buy . . . — — Map (db m170464) HM
On St. Armands Circle at South Boulevard of the Presidents, on the left when traveling east on St. Armands Circle.
La Norma, a talented and daring aerialist on the high trapeze was a center-ring star with the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey and other leading circuses. Her act included a variety of risky stunts performed 60 feet aloft with no safety net below. . . . — — Map (db m147216) HM
On St. Armands Circle at South Boulevard of the Presidents, on the left when traveling east on St. Armands Circle.
Of the few women to perform on the bounding rope only Tosca Canestrell ever executed the backward double somersault. Born to a famed circus family, she debuted at nine on Ringling Bros. At 16, she was crowned “Queen Of The Circus” by . . . — — Map (db m147222) HM
On St. Armands Circle at South Boulevard of the Presidents, on the left when traveling east on St. Armands Circle.
Known as "The High Priestess Of Rhythm Aloft," it was with the physically demanding one-arm swing that she gained her fame. An established star in Europe, she came to the attention of U.S. audiences at San Francisco’s 1939 World’s Fair and made . . . — — Map (db m147245) HM
On North Gulfstream Avenue at Main Street, on the right when traveling south on North Gulfstream Avenue.
On December 23, 1885 a number of Scottish families came ashore on or near this spot to settle land they had purchased for their homes in a new country. They met wilderness and hardship instead of the established town promised them; causing many to . . . — — Map (db m97100) HM
Near Benjamin Franklin Drive at Grant Drive, on the left when traveling north.
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 . . . — — Map (db m146244) HM
On St. Armands Circle at South Boulevard of the Presidents, on the left when traveling east on St. Armands Circle.
Lillian Leitzel a superb aerial artist was known throughout the 1920s as “The Queen Of The Circus”. She was acclaimed not only for her difficult feats performed high in Ringlings Big Top, but also for her dazzling personality. Her . . . — — Map (db m147206) HM
On St Armands Circle at John Ringling Boulevard when traveling south on St Armands Circle.
Renowned as sixth-generation circus artist from Madrid, Spain, the troupe was comprised originally of brothers Angel, Vincente and Roberto, and their sister Mari, all trained by patriarch Vincente Quiros, Sr. Their high-speed dancing on the . . . — — Map (db m147080) HM
On St. Armands Circle at South Boulevard of the Presidents, on the left when traveling east on St. Armands Circle.
No animal trainer has created the same element of suspense as Mabel Stark did when she entered the steel arena, carrying only a small buggy whip and a short stick. The authority of her voice and force of her personality controlled 21 tigers and . . . — — Map (db m147231) HM
On Mound Street (U.S. 41) just east of South Osprey Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
Side 1
Mable Ringling Memorial Fountain
Mable Ringling, born Armilda Burton on March 4, 1875, married John Ringling on 1905 and became a Sarasota winter resident in 1911. Mable, an avid gardener, created the formal Ca'd'Zan rose garden. . . . — — Map (db m121011) HM
On St Armands Circle at Fillmore Drive, on the left when traveling north on St Armands Circle.
Protégé of the legendary Clyde Beatty, his 40-year circus career included stints as a wild animal trainer, trainmaster on the Ringling-owned Monte Carlo Circus, tent boss for Circus Vargas, transportation boss for Ringling’s Blue Unit and as a key . . . — — Map (db m147467) HM
On 12th Street east of North Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41), on the right when traveling east.
Two hundred feet east of this highway is the tomb of
Mary Wyatt Whitaker
Born at Tallahassee, Florida, April 11, 1831; daughter of William Wyatt, member of the convention which gave to the state of Florida its first constitution; mother of the . . . — — Map (db m97090) HM
On St. Armands Circle at John Ringling Boulevard (Florida Route 789), on the left when traveling north on St. Armands Circle.
Born in Australia May Wirth’s acrobatics on horse-back earned her center ring stardom with Barnum & Bailey. She was the first woman to somersault from one horse to another. From 1919 to 1929 she reigned as Ringling’s "Queen of Equestrian Artists". . . . — — Map (db m147684) HM
On St Armands Circle at North Boulevard of the Presidents, on the left when traveling west on St Armands Circle.
Merle Evans, the most famous of Bandmasters, cued the acts for Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey for 50 years without missing a single performance. As a conductor and composer he became known as “The Toscanini of the Big Top.” . . . — — Map (db m147054) HM
On South Pineapple Avenue at State Street, on the right when traveling south on South Pineapple Avenue.
The village of Sarasota's earliest church was chartered in 1891 as the Sarasota Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Manatee Village circuit rider Rev. E. F. Gates brought recently ordained Rev. William B. Tresca to be founding minister. 'Will' had . . . — — Map (db m97111) HM
On Myakka Road, 0.3 miles north of Rawls Road, on the left when traveling north.
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 . . . — — Map (db m146194) HM
On St Armands Circle at John Ringling Boulevard, on the left when traveling north on St Armands Circle.
One of the greatest flyers of all time, he astounded the circus world when, in 1981, he accomplished a feat that had eluded every human and which was universally deemed to be impossible. It was the legendary “Quad”, four somersaults in . . . — — Map (db m147351) HM
On Veterans Boulevard south of Loop State Route 72, on the right when traveling east.
Support
When our mom deployed
and we lived with our grandparents
we lived in a town that did not have
military parents.
It was hard not having
other military kids around.
Military kids know how it feels
when a parent . . . — — Map (db m242846) WM
On Veterans Boulevard, 0.2 miles Marine Corp. Drive, on the left when traveling west.
With willing hearts and skillful hands the difficult we do at once the impossible takes a bit longer
Seabees can do
We Build We Fight — — Map (db m240798) WM
On John Ringling Boulevard at Bird Key Drive, on the right when traveling east on John Ringling Boulevard.
New Edzell Castle: 1914-1959
The first mansion built on Bird Key was New Edzell Castle, named for Davidella "Davie" Lindsay Worcester's ancestral home in Scotland. Coming to Sarasota for health reasons in 1905, Davie saw Bird Key while boating . . . — — Map (db m156532) HM
On 33rd Street east of Goodrich Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
Understanding the importance of early education for the young children of their community, several African-American women organized and founded the Newtown Day Nursery. This grassroots organization, established around 1930, included . . . — — Map (db m146223) HM
On 34th Street at Gillespie Avenue, on the right when traveling west on 34th Street.
Side 1
The Robert L. Taylor Community Complex grew out of the "Colored Service Men's Club" building that had served black soldiers during World War II. Newtown resident John Floyd supervised construction of the wood frame structure. . . . — — Map (db m146086) HM
On St. Armands Circle at John Ringling Boulevard (Florida Route 789), on the left when traveling north on St. Armands Circle.
Remarkable circus family headed by the renowned Ben, owner of the giant Dailey Bros. Railroad Circus and the largest herd of elephants in the country. Daughter, Norma, was billed at 10 as the world’s youngest elephant trainer. She devoted her life . . . — — Map (db m147614) HM
On Gillespie Avenue, 0.2 miles south of 12th Street, on the right when traveling south.
The Florida Mortgage and Investment Company deeded five acres in 1905 to Trustees John Mays, Willis G.P. Washington, Lewis Colson, Campbell Mitchell and J.P. Carter for a "colored" cemetery. The land was platted in 1910 as Oaklands Cemetery. For . . . — — Map (db m92862) HM
On St Armands Circle near John Ringling Boulevard, on the left when traveling south.
Spent his early years with a troupe of bareback riders. When an accident forced his retirement from the act he became a Tramp Clown whose sad and sassy antics were a hit with circus audiences. His classic routines and gift for pantomime made him . . . — — Map (db m147041) HM
On St Armands Circle at North Boulevard of the Presidents when traveling west on St Armands Circle.
He was the first American showman to gain international fame with Tom Thumb, the world’s smallest man and Jumbo, the world’s largest elephant. With James A. Bailey he launched the Barnum & Bailey Circus whose success was largely due to Barnum’s . . . — — Map (db m147048) HM
On St Armands Circle at John Ringling Boulevard, on the left when traveling north on St Armands Circle.
With the guiding hand of Pablo Rodriguez, he and his family formed what became one of the most accomplished family aerial acts of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Their aerial bar act and double and triple-wide flying trapeze-wide acts were among the . . . — — Map (db m147375) HM
Near Central Sarasota Parkway, 0.7 miles east of McIntosh Road, on the right when traveling east.
After her visit to Sarasota in 1910, Mrs. Potter (Bertha) Palmer and family began buying thousands of acres in the region. One large segment extended from their Sarasota-Venice Company's Bee Ridge development south to Laurel. The present 10,000-acre . . . — — Map (db m125021) HM
On St Armands Circle near John Ringling Boulevard, on the left when traveling north.
He was founder of the Big Apple Circus and the guiding genius behind its success during its formative years and beyond. Under his leadership, Big Apple became one of America’s greatest circuses that rivaled in quality older, more traditional . . . — — Map (db m147361) HM
On S Pineapple Avenue at S Lemon Avenue, on the right when traveling west on S Pineapple Avenue.
No one in the past half century has been a champion of downtown Sarasota and contributed more to its successful revitalization and redevelopment than Paul N. Thorpe Jr., thereby earning him the nickname of “Mr. Downtown.” Born and . . . — — Map (db m153369) HM
On Adams Lane west of East Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
Side 1
Payne Park was host to many of Major League Baseball's most renowned figures from 1924, when the reigning champion New York Giants of the National League opened spring training, until 1988, when the Chicago White Sox of the American . . . — — Map (db m146026) HM
On St Armands Circle at John Ringling Boulevard, on the left when traveling north on St Armands Circle.
A spectacular aerial performer, he cofounded Circus Sarasota and became the driving force behind its emergence as one of the country’s elite circuses. By presenting top quality performances and conducting a highly regarded community outreach . . . — — Map (db m147501) HM
On Madison Drive at John Ringling Blvd, on the left when traveling south on Madison Drive.
Peggy Williams performer, director/manager and educator with RBBB for over 48 years, became the role model for all women in the circus industry. She was the first female Clown College graduate, Class of 1970, to appear with the Greatest Show on . . . — — Map (db m243761) HM
On St. Armands Circle at John Ringling Boulevard (Florida Route 789), on the left when traveling north on St. Armands Circle.
One of the great performers in the history of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. She brought a combination of beauty and an uncanny sense of balance to the Big Top in the 1950s, her specialty was a spectacular routine in which, without a net and . . . — — Map (db m147363) HM
Near McIntosh Road, 0.5 miles north of Palmer Ranch Parkway, on the right when traveling north.
The railroad came to Venice in 1911 at the request of Mrs. Potter (Bertha) Palmer. The Seaboard Air Line (SAL) Railway extended its line from Fruitville through Bee Ridge, where the Palmer's Sarasota-Venice Company was developing land, to the . . . — — Map (db m124900) HM
On St Armands Circle at South Boulevard of the Presidents, on the left when traveling south on St Armands Circle.
Reggie Armor (1929-2010) was one of the great trapeze flyers of the 1960s and ‘70s. He consistently performed the triple somersault, at a time when very few flyers were mastering the feat. His inspirations were Alfredo Codona and Fay Alexander. . . . — — Map (db m147138) HM
On St Armands Circle at John Ringling Boulevard, on the left when traveling south on St Armands Circle.
The Reverend Father George G. Hogan, known affectionately simply as “Father Jerry,” was ordained in 1974 and served in the Archdiocese of Boston. He was assigned to the Circus Ministry by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1990. For nearly . . . — — Map (db m243752) HM
On St Armands Circle at John Ringling Boulevard, on the left when traveling south on St Armands Circle.
Hungary’s Richter Family and Germany’s Casselly Family represent two multi-generational circus dynasties dating from 1821. Both families embrace the concept of humans and animals or king side by side in the circus arts, for which they have won . . . — — Map (db m244492) HM
On Proctor Road just west of Lords Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
Side 1
Riverview High School originally consisted of modern steel and glass structures set among tall native pines in Sarasota's developing suburbs. When the school opened in 1958, it became known internationally for its innovative architecture, . . . — — Map (db m156534) HM
On Central Avenue at 8th Street, on the right when traveling north on Central Avenue.
Rosemary Cemetery is burial place for many early Sarasota citizens, civic leaders, and entrepreneurs including Scotsman John Hamilton Gillespie, first mayor and local manager for Florida Mortgage & Investment Co., British land developers of the . . . — — Map (db m148054) HM
On Central Avenue at 8th Street, on the left when traveling north on Central Avenue.
A Place for Remembrance
Rosemary Cemetery has been established place within the community since 1886, when it was included in Sarasota’s original town plan. The following year, an English settler named Tom Booth marked the first . . . — — Map (db m148068) HM
On St Armands Circle at Fillmore Drive, on the left when traveling north on St Armands Circle.
Presenting a half-dozen or more crowd-pleasing chimpanzees, they delighted European and U.S. audiences for three decades. After starring on such heralded European circuses as Knie, Krone, Williams, and Bertram Mills, their greatest acclaim came on . . . — — Map (db m147463) HM
On Siesta Drive (Florida Route 758) at Tangier Terrace, on the left when traveling west on Siesta Drive.
Side 1
Sarasota's population was soaring by the early 1920s, the homes were needed to accommodate those moving into the area. The two parcels of land that would become the nucleus of San Remo Estates were originally purchased by business . . . — — Map (db m146023) HM
On Airport Circle, 0.4 miles east of North Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41), on the right when traveling west.
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport
Citizens from Sarasota and Bradenton began work in 1939 to create a joint airport as two earlier unpaved Sarasota airports became obsolete. With development of the project by the Works progress . . . — — Map (db m146085) HM
On Main Street east of South Washington Boulevard (U.S. 301), on the right when traveling east.
Side 1
On July 1, 1921, Sarasota County came into existence. Interest in breaking away from Manatee County had led to a series of public meetings the previous summer. Lack of good roads, inadequate representation in Tallahassee, and . . . — — Map (db m146106) HM
On South Washington Boulevard (U.S. 301) at Ringling Boulevard, on the right when traveling north on South Washington Boulevard.
Built by Charles Ringling in 1925 on the site of the number one green of the Old Gillespie Golf Course, this building was originally known as the Ringling Terrace Hotel. It later became known as the Sarasota Terrace Hotel. After passing through . . . — — Map (db m146188) HM
On Veterans Boulevard south of State Road 72, on the right when traveling south.
Dedicated to the memory of all the patriotic men and women who answered their country's call to service.
George W. Bush
President of the United States
James B. Peake
Secretary
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
William F. Tuerk . . . — — Map (db m241071) WM
On Bayfront Drive at Main Street, on the right when traveling west on Bayfront Drive.
Sarasota War Memorial The Sarasota War Memorial was commissioned by American Legion Bay Post 3o and designed by architect Clare C. Hosmer. On November 11, 1928, it was dedicated at the city’s Five Points intersection in a ceremony observing . . . — — Map (db m148343) WM
On Bayfront Drive (U.S. 41) 0.1 miles north of Main Street, on the right when traveling south.
Sarasota Bay and its downtown bayfront have long been considered the brightest jewels in Sarasota’s crown. In 1910 Bertha Palmer, who helped put Sarasota on the international map, proclaimed Sarasota Bay more beautiful than the Bay of Naples. . . . — — Map (db m97141) HM
On McClellan Parkway at South Osprey Avenue, on the left when traveling north on McClellan Parkway.
Near this spot was Sarasota's First Post Office established in the home and store of Charles E. Abbe, appointed postmaster August 16, 1878 — — Map (db m146390) HM
On N Lemon Avenue near 1st Street, on the right when traveling north.
On this site in 1903, the U.S. and West Indies Railroad and Steamship Company built a depot. This railroad, subsequently incorporated into the Seaboard Air Line Railway, provided great impetus to the town's turn-of-the-century progress. Trains . . . — — Map (db m41350) HM
On S. Palm Avenue, 0.1 miles Mound Street when traveling south.
This building was constructed by Marie and William G Selby in 1921 and became their principal residence in the Sarasota area. In her will, Mrs Selby, a woman of vision and generosity with concern for the land, bequeathed her home and its waterfront . . . — — Map (db m241117) HM
On Beach Road (Alternate County Road 789) at Beach Way Drive, on the left when traveling west on Beach Road.
Side 1
This island has had various names. During the 1800s and early 1900s it was known as Little Sarasota Key and Sarasota Key. Common usage of the name Siesta, taken from a residential development at the islands north side, began . . . — — Map (db m146239) HM
On Mound Street (U.S. 41) 0.1 miles east of South Osprey Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
Don Smally was instrumental to the restoration of Mable Ringling Fountain. The restoration was one of his of his many projects as a respected leader of Sarasota who championed its progress and preserved its heritage. In 1956 Don founded Smally, . . . — — Map (db m148167) HM
Near Benjamin Franklin Dr at Taft Drive, on the left when traveling south.
Side 1
Otto Schmidt Zoldan, a pioneer, settled on the southern tip of this key and in 1904 applied for a homestead. His claim, granted in 1910, included much of the land which became South Lido Park. Once known as Sarasota Key, the . . . — — Map (db m146367) HM
On Fruitville Road (State Road 780) at Adelia Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Fruitville Road.
Beginning in 1889, circuit-riding Jesuit priests served the pastoral needs of Sarasota's small, but devoted Catholic community. In 1912, after years of meeting in various homes, the congregation built a small wooden mission church at Adelia and . . . — — Map (db m97105) HM
On St Armands Circle at South Boulevard of the Presidents when traveling south on St Armands Circle.
The incomparable Black American saddle bred mare, Starless Night, owned and trained by Capt. William Heyer, appeared in numerous circuses and other venues throughout her stellar career, including the Ed Sullivan Show. Always in demand and . . . — — Map (db m147144) HM
On St. Armands Circle at South Boulevard of the Presidents, on the left when traveling east on St. Armands Circle.
In a 50-year circus career, she has appeared on the wire, presented a leopard act, presented tigers and lions, made two Ed Sullivan appearances and produced performances of the Royal Hanneford Circus. But, it was her marvelous solo trapeze act as . . . — — Map (db m147252) HM
On St. Armands Circle at John Ringling Boulevard (Florida Route 789), on the left when traveling north on St. Armands Circle.
Growing up on her family’s circus, her love of animals and her admiration of her mother’s trapeze artistry led Sylvia to become an expert equine trainer and an outstanding aerialist. One of the first to attain superstardom in the 21st century, she . . . — — Map (db m147554) HM
On St. Armands Circle at John Ringling Boulevard (Florida Route 789), on the left when traveling north on St. Armands Circle.
One of the greatest female flying trapezists, Terry began flying at the age of five, made her professional debut at eight and mastered the difficult triple somersault at the tender age of 13. As one of the Flying Cavarettas, she completed the triple . . . — — Map (db m147512) HM
On St Armands Circle at John Ringling Boulevard, on the left when traveling south on St Armands Circle.
The Advance Professionals wrote the book on live event promotion. Since the early days of P.T. Barnum, it has been the work of those who executed the tour planning, marketing, advertising, sponsorship, and public relations that made the circus a . . . — — Map (db m243776) HM
On St Armands Circle at South Boulevard of the Presidents, on the left when traveling east on St Armands Circle.
The Vallas, a Czechoslovakian family performing as the Bertinis, amazed audiences with their teeterboard, somersaulting and pyramid routines on the unicycle and the free-balancing, swinging split breakaway dive from the hanging perch. During the . . . — — Map (db m147261) HM
Near Circus Boulevard, 0.1 miles east of Calliandra Drive. Reported missing.
(Side 1)
Bobby Jones' name already was linked to Sarasota when he attended the dedication ceremony February 13, 1927, for Bobby Jones Municipal Course, which had opened the previous June. The course, 2-1/2 miles east of downtown, replaced . . . — — Map (db m218407) HM
On North Orange Avenue just south of 35th Street, on the left when traveling north.
Side 1
Emma E. Booker, a pioneer Black educator was teaching in Sarasota's public school for Negro children in the 1910s. By 1918 she was principal of "Sarasota Grammar School" which held classes in rented halls. The Julius Rosenwald Fund helped . . . — — Map (db m121010) HM
On St Armands Circle at John Ringling Boulevard, on the left when traveling south on St Armands Circle.
Originally from Columbia, the internationally acclaimed, duo-generational high-wire group was comprised at times of Pedro, Sr., Pedro, Jr, Tatjana Carrillo, Daniel and Luis Acosta and Luis E. Posso. Their repertoire included sliding down inclined . . . — — Map (db m147086) HM
On St. Armands Circle at North Boulevard of the Presidents, on the left when traveling west on St. Armands Circle.
Decades after conception, St. Armands Circle has fulfilled John Ringling's dream of a premier shopping district. Conceived during Florida's real estate boom, St. Armands was part of the John Ringling Estates Development and the jewel of Ringling . . . — — Map (db m97109) HM
On St Armands Circle at John Ringling Boulevard, on the left when traveling north on St Armands Circle.
Honoring outstanding circus performers, owners and animal trainers
Founded in 1986 by
Larry Marthaler
Executive Director Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau 1982-1998
Wagon wheel symbol designed by
Artist Frank Hopper with research . . . — — Map (db m147025) HM
On St Armands Circle at South Boulevard of the Presidents, on the left when traveling east on St Armands Circle.
The Clarke Family arrived from England in 1903 to appear with Barnum and Bailey. Besides the family riding act, Ernest and Charles had a two-man flying act called the Clarkonians. Considered the greatest English aerialist, Ernest was the first . . . — — Map (db m147178) HM
On St Armands Circle at South Boulevard of the Presidents, on the left when traveling east on St Armands Circle.
The Cristiani Family, six brothers and five sisters, presented one of the greatest equestrian or bareback riding acts ever seen in the circus. In addition to their thrilling feats of horsemanship they were gifted in a wide variety of circus . . . — — Map (db m147196) HM
On St Armands Circle at John Ringling Boulevard, on the left when traveling north on St Armands Circle.
True originators in the art of perch-pole balancing, their career spanned 30 years starting in the 1940’s. Original members from Mexico were Jorge del Moral, Manuel del Moral and Mavicha Pacheco-Atayde. Upon Mavicha’s retirement, Monty Kirklan . . . — — Map (db m147353) HM
On St. Armands Circle at South Boulevard of the Presidents, on the left when traveling west on St. Armands Circle.
Patriarch of the versatile family that has trained and performed with a wide variety of animals, Derrick Rosaire has endeared himself to three generations of American audiences with his classic presentation of “Tony The Wonder Horse,” . . . — — Map (db m147197) HM
Near South Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) at Constitution Boulevard, on the right when traveling south.
The Edson Keith estate on the south bank of Phillippi Creek, typical of the grand estate houses erected by the extensive Chicago coterie of friends in Sarasota, reflects much of Sarasota's most venerable history. The estate encompasses . . . — — Map (db m151034) HM
On St Armands Circle at North Boulevard of the Presidents, on the left when traveling west on St Armands Circle.
Albert, Otto, Alfred, Charles and John. Beginning with a small wagon show they rose over the years to the peak of the circus world. Their crowning achievement came when they bought their chief rival – Barnum & Bailey. Upon combining it with . . . — — Map (db m147044) HM
On St Armands Circle at South Boulevard of the Presidents, on the left when traveling south on St Armands Circle.
Ramon Sr., Irene Gonzalez Espana, Ramon “Monchis” Espana Jr., Gladis Espana Anastasini, Carolina Espana Nock, Irene Espana, Noe Espana and Ivan Espana. Innovated by Ramon Espana Jr., The Flying Espanas debuted their legacy in1975 with . . . — — Map (db m147137) HM
