Venice Old Betsy 100th Birthday Celebration November 8,2026
Enriching Lives Through Diversity Sculpture
This sculpture is located on Main Street/Orange Avenue Sarasota,Fl.
Alcazar Building, Sarasota
The Alcazar Building at 1355 Main Street downtown Sarasota is a notable example of early 20th Century architectural transformation and a long standing part of the citys business district.
The Alcazar Building is a historic Sarasota building located at 1355 Main Street in the downtown region. The building was originally built in 1915. The developer was George Prime. It was built as a utilitarian structure. Construction was with cement blocks. It was named the Prime Building. It was first used a a hardware store.
Renovation and Alcazar Name
In the 1920’s the building was gutted and redesigned by architect Thomas Reed Martin. The builder for the redo were Ricketts and Hasworth. In an article in the 1926 Sarasota Herald Tribune the renovation was described as turning a small utilitarian block into “a much larger structure”. There was a central tiled corridor, a modern restaurant room and display friendly shops. The building was renamed Alcazar Building. Renovation cost was $25,000.
Business History
1920’s–1930’s The first business after the renovation was the Circus Bar, a popular haunt for circus performers during prohibition
1938 Tropical Garden Liquors there
World War II era. The building became a popular night spot, later officially named the Tropical
1956 Metrome Room Night Club opened
1980’s After years of disrepair, Jay Foley rehabilitated the building and operated Coley’s a distinctive night club/ restaurant with themed rooms–a “greenhouse ” front area. and a bar decorated with a mounted dear head.
+-George Fuller’s Construction Company Role in Early Venice, Florida Development
The George Fuller Construction Company was a key Construction Contractor in the creation of the city of Venice, Florida. Its work is closely tied to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineer’s acquisition of land from Dr. Fred Albee in October,1925 and subsequent development plan designed by city planner John Nolan.
From land acquisition to city planning
After Dr.Albee’s purchase of 2916 acres, the BLE bought the property before Albee could implement his plan. The BLE Realty Company was formed to develop the area. John Nolan was retained to design a new city along the Gulf of Mexico. The plan included a downtown commercial district, residential areas, agricultural plots and public spaces. In October,2025, the BLE selected the George A. Fuller’s company as the construction contractor. Walter and Gillette of New York were chosen to be supervising architects. The landscape architect was chosen to be Prentiss French.
Major Projects
Fuller construction built the Hotel Venice at 200 North Nassau Street. This was the first structure erected by BLE in Venice. This 3- story, 92 room Italian Renaissance style Hotel was designed Walker and Gillette. It was constructed using local materials. It featured exposed cypress beams and stucco finishes. It opened June 21,1926 and became a landmark of the city’s early commercial district
Historic Photos Hotel Venice. Venice, Florida
Another project by Fuller’s Construction was The Ennes Arcade Located at 225-231 West Venice Avenue Venice,Fl.
It was completed in January 27,1927. It was constructed with stucco covered hollow tile and brick
Recent Photo Venice Hotel
The Fuller construction also oversaw residential construction, including large homes on Venice Avenue west of downtown and more modest homes in the Edgewood Section. Fuller’s work was part BLE’s broader plan for a”‘city on the Gulf” with hotels, wide avenues, and residential areas.
Under Nolen’s Mediterranean influenced plan, Fuller’s Company oversaw the construction of
Graded Streets and Sidewalks (first streets opened in June of 1926)
Early residential structures in the Gulf View Subdivision
Major civic and commercial buildings
Legacy
The Venice Museum and Archives notes that Fuller was among homeowners in the Venezia Park Historic District, a neighborhood designed for middle and upper-middle class residents and reflecting the Garden City movements ideals
Temporary Structures built for Fuller Construction Company. Used for Housing, Storage, and Offices
Fred Knight’s Drug Store Sarasota
This drug store opened in 1902. It was Sarasota ‘s first drug store. It was located at the southwest corner of Main Street and Palm Avenue Sarasota. It operated for roughly one hundred years.
Badger’s Drug Store
Badger’s Drug Store in Sarasota opened in 1905. It was located at the southwest corner of Main Street and Pineapple Avenue in the area known as Five Points.
Highsmith and Turner General Store Sarasota, Florida
Highsmith and Turner was a historic general store and drugstore in Sarasota’s downtown core operating from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. The partnership began with a business acquisition and evolved through changes in ownership and expansion
Key events in the partnership time line
May,1899 S.H. Highsmith (from Brunson, Fl) and J.B. Turner (Kathleen, Fl) entered into an agreement to take over Frank Higel’s mercantile business. The new firm opened under the name of the name Highsmith and Turner in the Frank Higel building on the south side of lower Main Street, Sarasota. Six months later, Geo Prime (Bradenton) purchased an interest in the business. The three partners purchased a Main Street lot from L.H. Higel
1899-1900 The partners moved to old building to the rear and constructed a new 2 story structure in the front. A furniture store was added on the second floor.
1902 The business now known as Highsmith, Turner and Prime General Store opened on lower Main Street. It inventory was extensive including every day dry goods as well as items like diapers and caskets
Early 20th century. The store remained a central part of Sarasota’s commercial life serving as both a general store and a drug store
Highsmith and Turner partnership began in May,1899 with the acquisition of Higel’s Mercantile. It expanded with new construction and a furniture store. By 1902, it was operating as Highsmith, Turner and Prime General Store marking the peak of its commercial role in Sarasota’s Historic district.
Sarasota Hotel
The Sarasota Hotel which is located at the corner of Main Street and Palm Avenue has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century and evolving through Sarasota’s economic and tourist growth.
Early Origins (1890’s)
Before the grand hotel era, the building site of the Sarasota Hotel, was a livery stable, fish house, and a pool hall. In the late 1890’s, Elijah Grantham purchased the property from Hamlin Whitaker. He added a second floor and added 9 bedrooms, a living room, dining room, and veranda on the new second floor. Mr. Grantham named the newly remodeled building the Inn. It served fishermen and travelers.
Construction of the modern Sarasota Hotel
The mid 1920’s land boom spurred a first-class hotel at this location. Milwaukee businessman W.K. Pipkorn bought the site paying $1000 per front foot. The architect and builder was Mr. Pipkorn. Construction began in 1924 and the building opened in 1925. This was Sarasota’s first skyscraper. It was a seven-story building with 150 guest rooms. The external facade was either stucco or masonry.
According to the 1927-1928 Sarasota Apartment and Hotel Guide, the Sarasota Hotel was ideally located in the heart of the business district, overlooking Sarasota Bay. Room rates ranged from $2.50 to $6.00 per night. It was a modern fireproof structure with a spacious lounge, lobby and dining room. The Hotel was popular with both tourists and business and business travelers.
Ownership Changes
Pipkorn died shortly after the building opened. His heirs operated the business until 1934. In this year, the Etowah Hotel Company of Gaden, Alabama purchased the hotel. In 1944, Leroy Fenne purchased the building for over $100,000
Decline and Redevelopment Attempts
By the 1960’s, the hotel fell into disrepair as tourist shifted to beach front properties. In 1970’s, Landchess Corporation purchased the building with the goal of converting into an apartment building with moderately priced units. By 1971, the city found the building out of compliance with building and fire codes. The project was halted. The building stood empty until 1974.
It was during 1974 that new life was brought to the building. It was on the verge of demolition when Carl Shapiro purchased for $166,000. His plan was to do exterior renovations and convert the building into offices. It became the Main Plaza Building ending its use as a hotel. Successive owners Bon Eau Enterprise (2005), Cary Nicks. It is a multiuse downtown property with co-working spaces, executive suites and other business services.
Apparently the building was known as Palm Tower at own time during its history.
The Inn Sarasota, Florida
The Inn was one of Sarasota’s earliest and most adaptive buildings, with a career spanning over a century and several uses over the years.
Origins 1885
The building was constructed in 1885 by Hamlin Whitaker. It was a livery stable named Whitaker and Smith Livery Stable. It was located on the corner of Main Street and Palm Avenue. According to memoirs of Alex Browning, who arrived in the area from Scotland in 1885 the structure served as livery stable for houses.
When the front portion was converted into a pool hall, it became a social spot where young men played by kerosene light and young women watched from the balcolny
Transititon to a rooming house
In 1890’s, Elijah Grantham purchased the property for $125. He added a second story with 9 bedrooms, a living room, dining room, kitchen and a porch. This marked its shift from a livery stable to a rooming facility. The downstairs was also used a general store, with “E.B.Grantham, General Merchandise” visible above the front door on early photos.
Other uses
After the Granthams sold it, the Inn continued as a rooming house, operating alongside the Watrous Hotel across Palm Avenue. In the mid -1920’s, Frank Higel rented its furnished its rooms
To make way for the Sarasota’s skyscraper-the Sarasota Hotel-the building was moved over 2 lots to what is now Fruitville Road. It was then known as the Crescent Apartments. The building was eventually demolished in 1994 due to its deteriorating condition
