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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
(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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
For over 40 years they thrilled audiences with their sensational performances on the flying trapeze. Originating the act in Mexico in 1940, brothers Jose, Lalo and Raul and sister Irma burst on the American scene with Ringling Bros. in 1952. For . . . — — Map (db m147053) HM
Famous as Risley Performers, this family dates their act to Germany in the 1930s. Following dates with the Bertram Mills at the Olympia in London 1950-51, they came to RBBB, being featured in the movie The Greatest Show On Earth. From ’57 . . . — — Map (db m147111) HM
In the history of equestrian performing arts, the bareback riding Hannefords have long been pre-eminent. They began performing some 300 years ago in their native Ireland. Succeeding generations of the family have carried on the Hanneford . . . — — Map (db m147079) HM
Often billed as “The Bouncing Twisting Titans of the Teeterboards”, the Troupe filled audiences around the world. German-born Lisa, (who first performed in 1945 at age 7 in Nuremberg) and Cuban-born Manuel, (who first performed in 1944 at age 13 in . . . — — Map (db m244539) HM
The King Charles Troupe, a group of young men and women originally from the South Bronx, New York, play an unbelievable game of high energy basketball on unicycles. In 1958, Jerry King founded the troupe with the support of his wife, Alma, as a . . . — — Map (db m147085) HM
Side 1
In 1915, Bee Ridge, then part of Manatee County, supported a train station, post office, hotel, general store, and school. A second wave of settlers who moved into Bee Ridge desired a church in their community. In January, 1917, the . . . — — Map (db m135978) HM
Was hailed as the “Greatest Equestrian Act Ever Presented In The Ringling Circus.” Their most spectacular stunt came when the troupe mounted five horses to form a galloping pyramid of five sisters and two brothers. Although all were . . . — — Map (db m147043) HM
Arthur Sara Warren, Six Daughters and one son were outstanding acrobats noted for their “Risley Act” and performed with the major circuses of the time, four members of the family married circus performers whose skills have been passed . . . — — Map (db m147194) HM
Their circus roots date back to 1840 in their native Switzerland where the family owned a circus. They first thrilled American audiences with their daring swaypole routine in 1954. Since then, they have thrilled millions worldwide. Their troupe, . . . — — Map (db m147675) HM
Following the 2nd World War, Rudolf Mootz, his wife Gerda, his brothers Peter and Wilhelm, along with Beppo Wallenda formed the Wallenda/Mootz Highwire Troupe, performing in Europe. After disbanding that group, Rudolf and Gerda, along with daughter . . . — — Map (db m147163) HM
During the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s this English family’s highly charged dog act became one of the most popular attractions ever to command center ring on Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. In addition to Lucy, the family’s matriarch, the act . . . — — Map (db m147502) HM
High energy bicycling French family, they were the first European act brought to the U.S. by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey after World War II. The fast pace of their act, their acrobatic tricks, flashy costumes and comedy antics of Mauris . . . — — Map (db m147362) HM
Having assumed ownership in 1975 of the then 87-year-old Circo Atayde Hermanos, Andres, Alberto and Alfredo have perpetuated the legacy of this cherished Mexican institution while diligently maintaining its standing as one of the preeminent . . . — — Map (db m147448) HM
Tourism has long been important to Sarasota's history and economy. Winter visitors began coming to the area in the 1880s with some staying in Sarasota's first hotel, The DeSoto Hotel, which was completed in 1887. Tourism increased in the 1920s as . . . — — Map (db m217051) HM
The Wallenda Troupe headed by the great Karl Wallenda, presented the most thrilling of all highwire acts – a human pyramid of seven performers balanced on a slender cable 40 feet in the air. This and other spectacular feats by the troupe have . . . — — Map (db m147068) HM
The Wallenda circus troupe originated in Germany, where its members developed a daring highwire act. Early in their careers they achieved some fame touring with different circuses in Europe, but Karl Wallenda became convinced that circus . . . — — Map (db m92848) HM
Few if any have ever matched the equilibristic talents of John and Walter Yong. In their most astounding feat, John performed a free handstand, balancing only on his head, unaided by his hands, while Walter simultaneously executed his own free . . . — — Map (db m147074) HM
The 7 Zacchini Brothers perfected the single and double human cannon ball act which made its debut with the Ringling Circus in 1929. This spectacular act set a record when the Zacchini Cannon propelled a human bullet through the air at a height of . . . — — Map (db m147664) HM
In memory of all veterans of the Third Infantry Division. Dedicated by Outpost 2 Society of the Third Infantry Division United States Army — — Map (db m241683) WM
Tim Holst joined the Greatest Show on Earth in 1972 as a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College graduate, he eventually became the 21st Ringmaster in Ringling Bros. history and then went on to be performance director for the Red Unit. . . . — — Map (db m147371) HM
