Sarasota Terrace Hotel
Posted by: 
TaoZero
N 27° 20.130 W 082° 31.848
17R E 348564 N 3024524
Located on the wall of the Sarasota County Administration Center on the SE corner of S. Washington and Ringling Blvd.
Waymark Code: WM9XW2
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 10/12/2010
Views: 10
Build by Charles Ringling in 1925 on the site of the number one green of the Old Gillespie Golf Course, this building was originally known as The Ringling Terrace Hotel. It later became known as The Sarasota Terrace Hotel. After passing through several ownerships it was purchased by Arthur Allyn to house the Chicago White Sox baseball team during spring training. After weathering the Great Depression, hurricanes and the wars that followed, the hotel finally closed its doors. The building was purchased by Sarasota County in 1972. After extensive remodeling, it became the Sarasota County Administration Center.
According to the 1928 "Sarasota Visitor's Guide," the Sarasota Terrace Hotel was the leading tourist and commercial hotel. With its fireproof construction and private bath in each room, it provided both safety and comfort. Reviews stated that "the Sarasota Terrace Hotel has wonderful views of the beautiful Sarasota Bay, the Gulf of Mexico and the glorious sunsets - from the Roof Garden - as indescribable.
"Near enough in to be convenient, far enough out to be pleasant," the daily rates ranged from $3 to $5 for a single and up to $8 for a double. Also, while you dined, there was music by the Sarasota Terrace Orchestra.
Over the next 30 years, the Sarasota Terrace Hotel continued to serve the needs of Sarasota as a downtown hotel. Although its name was changed to the New Terrace Hotel in the late 1950s, the hotel basically stayed the same since its opening. However, in 1962, its biggest change was just beginning. The hotel was bought by Arthur C. Allyn Jr. who was a majority stockholder with the Chicago White Sox baseball team. Under his tenure, a modernization that cost nearly $100,000 was begun. During baseball's winter practice season, the White Sox players stayed at the hotel and played across the street. Also, the minor league team, the Sarasota Sun Sox of the Florida State League, began staying at the Terrace Hotel. The many changes that Allyn made reflected a baseball motif, especially in the lounge and meeting rooms.
(above text from: wikimapia.org/6788418/Historic-Sarasota-County-Terrace-Building)
Marker Number: N/A
Date: 1982
County: Sarasota
Marker Type: Plaque
Sponsored or placed by: The Sarasota County Historical Commission
Website: [Web Link]
|
Visit Instructions:
In your log, please say if you learned something new, and if you took any extra time to explore the area once you stopped at the historic marker waymark.
Please post a photo at the marker location.