Charles and Edith  Ringling Mansion

     The Charles and Edith Ringling Mansion took two years to complete in 1926.  The Building cost were $880,000. It was designed by the architectural firm of Clos, Shepherd, and Clos.  It is located north of John and Mabel Ringling house. .     The building exterior is veneer  pink Etowah Georgian Marble.    Charles died months after the house was built.

     The building style is Italian Renaissance.  There are 20 rooms.  There is a large music room, large entrance hall and stair hall., living quarters, curved marble stair case at the north end of the entrance hall provides access to 2nd floor bedrooms

     Interior decorations were bought from Marshall Field in Chicago. Furnishing were from.many parts of the world including pieces of Sheraton and Happlewhite in England.

     Edith occupied the mansion until her death in.1953.  The house and furnishings were sold in 1958.  It was renovated and lived in until 1962.  It was sold to New College in  Sarasota in 1962.

     Beginning in 1966, the mansion was used primarily as a library.  The music room is still  used for special meetings, theater, dance and music events.   The building is now known as College Hall.

Spencer House

Spencer House

Spencer House

Spencer House

Spencer House

Spencer House

     The Spencer House was built in 2013.  It was built over 15 months.    It is located at the corner of South Orange and Prospect in Sarasota. The architect and builder is Guy Peterson.

     It is a 2 story house.  The design is controversial with.features of the Sarasota School.of architecture.  It features 4549 square feet of space.

     The interior has polished concrete floors. 

     There is ambient lighting through strategically placed perforated walls.  There are gardens, nice boce ball court, guesthouse and pool.

J.L.Bainbridge and Company

J. and Bainbridge Company 

This is a two story brick building.  There are currently 2 businesses at this site 1) J.L Bainbridge and Co  45 years; 2) Investors Group 7 years.  The building was constructed in 1997

First Punta Gorda Homesite

     This signs stands at 400 West Esplanade, Punta Gorda.  On June 22, 1876 James Lockhart and family chose this site to build their new home.  The area was described as the lowest location in the region with pine trees and an adjacent shell mound.

     The Lockhart family camped at this site while building their new home. They were able to dig a well that provided excellent water.  The schooner Santa Maria arrived in the area with their belongimgs.  They planted a vegetable garden, lemon, lime and orange tree.  They raised goats, pigs, and chickens.

     In October,20, 1876 a hurricane caused severe flooding in the house.  The house was salvaged.  There were plentiful mullet and tarpon.

     Two years later, Lockhart sold his claim.to James Madison Lanier