Payne Mansion

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Payne Mansion Sarasota Botanic Guardian
     In 1934, Christy Payne bought a one acre lot at the corner of Mound Street (US 41) and Palm Avenue with the intention of building a home in the Sarasota area. He hired Sarasota contractor Paul Bergman for the project. The architect was A.C. Price.
     Construction began in 1934.  Total cost was $50,000. Project was completed in 1935.  The house style is colonial revival.
     Foundation is steel railroad tracks. Down stairs floor is flood resistant cement covered with terrazzo.  There are six fire places and 6 bathrooms.
     The house is located on the grounds of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.  It was listed in the National Register of Historic places on 9/25/1998.
Signage
Payne Mansion
Payne Mansion
Payne Mansion
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CSX Lift Bridge over the Manatee River between Bradenton and Palmetto

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Open CSX Lift Bridge over the Manatee River between Bradenton and Palmetto. View from the River Walk Bradenton.

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     The CSX RR lift bridge over the Manatee River connects Bradenton with Palmetto.  It is a single leaf rolling lift bascule  bridge. It’s design is a pony plate girder.  It is an untended active bridge.  It is normally in the open position.

     The builder/contractor is unknown.

     The main span is 125 feet in length.  The total structure length is 3,520 feet.

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     The Tampa Southern Railroad built tracks to Bradenton in the early 1920’s.  This railroad had a bascule bridge that crossed the Manatee River in Bradenton. This was on a 1922 map.

       In 1967, Seaboard Airline Railroad and the Atlantic Coastline Railroad merged to form Seaboard Coast Line.  This resulted in rail line consolidation.  The Seaboard Swing Bridge over the Manatee River in Bradenton was demolished

    There was now a single bascule bridge crossing over the Manatee River

Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium

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Flooded Grounds of Calusa Nature Center  see Alligators in the Distance
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  • Flooding at Values Nature Center

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    Flooding along the Boardwalk Values Nature Center

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  •      These photos were taken on September 17, 2022 when the author and family made a planned visit to the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium in Fort Myers.   Unfortunately, due to the extensive flooding, there were only a limited number of scheduled events.  The Planetarium was operational.

Church of the Epiphany 310 Sarasota Street, Venice Florida

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Church of the Epiphany Venice Florida Plaque
    This church traces its origin to 1935. The church was a mission of Saint Martha Church, Sarasota. It was founded in part to provide mass services for students and faculty of Kentucky Military Institute. The first masses were held in the Gulf Theater.
     The first Epiphany Church was formerly the chapel at Venice Army Airfield.  It was moved from the base to the corner of Tampa Avenue and Nasau Street.in 1947.It was purchased for $11.,165.30.  It became a parish on March 7, 1955. Ground was broken for a new building in 1959 It was completed in 1960.  Marian Hall was built to accomodate more parish functions.
Church of the Epiphany
     The present church was built in 1979. Its style is modern.  The architects were Robbins and Bentler. General Contractor Dara-Hennessy and Company.
Church of the Epiphany
Church of the Epiphany