Florida Medical Center Venice, Fl

Former Park View Hotel in Venice converted by Dr. Albee into Private Hospital Florida Medical Center on November 15, 1933.

Florida Medical Center


Aerial View of Florida Medical Center

     The Park View Hotel was located in Venice, Fl at the 300 block  of West Venice Avenue.  It was built in 1926 as  sister of the Venice Hotel  The building was developed by the Brother of Locomotive Engineers.  It was designed by John Nolen.  The architectural style is Northern Italian Renaissance.

Spanish Courtyard Florida Medical Center

     Doctor Albee was a local physician in the Nokomis Venice region.  He believed that this area was ripe for a hospital.

   In 1933, Doctor Albee bought the Park View Hotel building from the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers at a reasonable price.

     The medical center was known for its service to humanity. It was heralded as one of the finest and best equipped medical institutions in the south.  It offered air ambulance service.It received an International reputation. Patients came from locations thoughout the United States, Canada, and Latin America.

     The Florida Medical Center was a general teaching hospital with a holistic approach to medical treatment. Heliotherapy, hydrotherapy (sulfur pool),nutrition and vitamin therapy were all practiced.  Hospital rates ranged from 40 to 70 dollars per week.

     In 1942 the army took over the hospital   After the end of World War 2, it returned the hospital to Mrs. Albee.   After  Dr. Albee’s death, his widow sold the building in October, 1945 to David B. Pattinson one of the doctors personal attorneys for $125,000.  After the purchase the hospital  reverted to a hotel building .

     1946 to late 1940’s operated as the Pines Hotel

     Late 1940s–1964 renamed the Gulf Breeze Hotel. It operated as a seasonal resort, residence for retirees, a mixed use space housing various local  businesses

    In summer 1964 hotel closed permanently

    In 1965 building demolished to mage room for the current Venice post office

  The building was demolished in 1964.  A post office building is now located on this site.

Southside Elementary School Sarasota, Fl

      This school is located at 1901 Webber Street, Sarasota, Fl.  It was built in 1926.  The architect was M. Leo Elliot, who also was the architect of the Bay Haven School.  The style of Southside Elementary School is Mediterranean Revival

Southside Elementary School

Southside Elementary School

Southside Elementary School

Southside Elementary

Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad  Boca Grande Station

Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad Train Sration

Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad Station

Second story Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad Station

Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad

Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad Station

Charlotte Harbor and  Northern Railroad

Bicycle Path Adjacent to the Train Station

Charlotte Harbour and Northern Railroad Station

Author in front of the train station

The Q House

The Q House

Q House

     The Quarantine House is located near the Boca Grande Lighthouse on Gasparilla Island.  It was built in 1892.

     It served as a quarantine station for ships that had been placed in quarantine status in ports they had been previously.  The house was used by Florida State appointed quarantine doctor to monitor incoming vessels and to ensure the health and safety of the crew. It was not used for housing patients.  It was for the quarantine doctor’s office and staff.

     It was declared surplus in 1904 when the federal government built a Quarantine station at the northern of  Cato Costa Island.

     It was acquired  by the Johnson family who were first harbor pilots of Charlotte Harbor. It has been owned by them ever since.  It has been listed on the National Register of Historic  Places.

     The house is now for sale.

Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railway

Remnant of the Charlotte Harbor And Northern Railway trestle bridge

     The Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad timber trestle bridge crossed Gasparilla Sound.  It once connected the main land at Placida to Gasparilla Island. It transported passengers and phosphate. It was built in 1907  It is no longer used for trains.

Same as above

     Parts of the trestle bridge are currently being repurposed for the Placida Fishing Pier in the north and the Boca Grande  Fishing Pier in the South

Same as above

Same as above

Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad Trestle Bridge  Note Bridge Tender House