New Edzell Castle: 1914-1959/Bird Key - Florida Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

New Edzell Castle: 1914-1959
The first mansion built on Bird Key was New Edzell Castle, named for Davidella "Davie" Lindsay Worcester's ancestral home in Scotland. Coming to Sarasota for health reasons in 1905, Davie saw Bird Key while boating with friends and was enchanted by its natural beauty and serenity. In 1906 a deed for the 12.8 acres of Bird Key was recorded in her name. Davie planned much of the Georgian-style home but died prior to its completion in 1914. Featuring modern amenities like gas and electric lights, steam heat, and hot and cold water, the house had exterior lighting so it could be seen from the mainland. The property had its own dock as access to the island was by boat only. Davie's husband Thomas Worcester lived in the home until his death in 1918. Members of his family resided there until John Ringling, circus magnate and entrepreneur, purchased Bird Key in 1922. Ringling constructed a bridge and causeway in 1925 to connect Bird Key and the outer keys of St. Armands, Lido, and Longboat to the mainland. Various people occupied the mansion until 1934 when Ida Ringling North, Ringling's only sister, moved in, making it her family's home until its 1959 demolition by the Arvida Corporation.

Bird Key
After John Ringling died in 1936, his sister Ida and nephew John Ringling North became administrators of his estate, which included Bird Key. In 1951, John Ringling North formed the Bird Key Corporation and acquired about 280 submerged acres from the state. North's vision of filling the submerged land for development did not materialize. In 1959, the Arvida Corporation bought 2,000 acres of Ringling property that included Bird Key. The city approved the Arvida plan for a "luxurious island residential haven." In October, dredging and filling to enlarge the island to approximately 300 acres began along with construction of the island's infrastructure. Encouraged by sales incentives such as a Chris Craft cabin cruiser and a Lincoln Continental, real estate agents sold the first lots that same month. Bird Key was connected to the city water system in 1964. The Bird Key Yacht Club, built by Arvida in 1960, was transferred to the residents in 1967. By 1972 only three lots remained unsold. Today Bird Key is completely developed and is valued by its residents for its history and beauty.

Marker Number: None Date: None County: Sarasota Marker Type: City Sponsored or placed by: Sarasota County Historical Commission Website: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   09/15/2020 Markerman62 visited it