Info about Legacy Trail and South Creek Trestle

Railroad Tracks on South Creek Trestle

History of South Creek Trestle

South Crek Trestle

 

     The Wisconsin was John Ringling’s private railroad car.  It was built in 1896 by the Pullman Rail Car Company. It was refurbished in 1905, at Ringling’s request.  For the next 11 years, John Ringling conducted his business aboard the Wisconsin.

     Ringling also took vacations aboard the car.to Utah and Yellowstone National Park.  They also took trips to Sarasota when they built their property in 1911…

     Like a luxury yacht, the rail car had its own monogrammed tables and glassware. 

     The car weighed 65 tons.and was wooden in construction.  Its entrance was outlawed in New York City because of the fire hazard in the city tunnels.  The Wisconsin was sold in 1911..

     The Wisconsin changed names of owners over the 20th century.  It came to rest on the side of the lake where the Atlantic and East Carolina Railroad used it as a fishing cabin for employees.

     The Rupp Pavilion was commissioned in 1957 by J.Kenneth Donahue. In 1961 it became it became the first concession stand at the Ringling. It was operated  by Howard Johnson.

     It was designed by William Rupp, one of proponents  of the Sarasota Modernism Style.  It was built by the maintenance crew for 15,000 dollars.

•      The building featured a centralized plan, central skylight allowing the building to act as a time piece, projecting scuppers to create a fountain in the rain, creative use of in expensive materials   Saarinem designed tulip chairs and tables.   

  From 1923 to 1925, Ringling will the Rupp Pavilion to its original style.

   This is the words largest miniature circus.  It is located in the Ringling Museum.  The circus has the name of its creator Howard Tibbals.  It took 50 years to complete

     It covers 3,800 square feet.  It is an exact 3/4 inch to foot scale of a circus as it might have existed between 1919 to 1938