Sarasota Bay in the 1920's. Photo courtesy of T. F. Arnold and the State Archives of Florida.
The Gillespie Park historical marker in Sarasota, Florida, detailing the history of the park, developer Owen Burns, and Sarasota's first mayor John Hamilton Gillespie. Photo courtesy of the Sarasota Observer.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus advertisement courier promoting Hugo Zacchini ("The Human Projectile"). Photo courtesy of the New York Evening Journal published on March 28, 1929
Help us save Sarasota's history.
Sarasota, Florida is rapidly changing. The charming, artistic, whimsical town we once knew is dwindling. The "father of Sarasota" John Hamilton Gillespie and the iconic circus magnate John Ringling transformed Sarasota through architecture and entertainment in the early-mid 1900's. Sarasota's historic cottages are a part of history that our community is so passionate to save. The Sarasota Bungalow Village plans to preserve and celebrate that history.
Downtown Sarasota from 1924 - 2026
1926
1998
The Ringling Brothers Circus moves their winter quarters to Sarasota. John Ringling finishes construction on the Ca' d'Zan, purchases the John Ringling Towers, and builds a causeway that would be replaced later by what is now known as the "John Ringling Causeway".
The John Ringling Towers are demolished to make way for the Ritz-Carlton. The Sarasota Opera expands after acquiring the Montgomery Roberts building. The town, while adopting expected architectural advances, continues to grasp onto its artistic character.
1985
The Lancaster's begin purchasing the parcels encompassing Gillespie Park on Fruitville Road, one acre at a time. By 2010, the couple had assembled a total of 22 parcels, containing fourteen 1920's cottages.
1924
Sarasota developer Owen Burns donates a 10 acre parcel of land dedicated to honoring Sarasota's first mayor, John Hamilton Gillespie. The park was therefore named "Gillespie Park".
Through out the 1920's, the neighborhood surrounding the park flourished with residential properties, including American Craftsman bungalows, cottages, and Spanish-style townhouses that still stand today.
1928
Mr. Ringling spots the Zacchini family performing in Copenhagen, Germany. He contracts them to join his Sarasota-based circus, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. The family debuts their iconic human cannonball act in 1929 and becomes the headlining feature of The Greatest Show on Earth.
1956
The Zacchini family residence on Fruitville Road is built. For many years, the Sarasota community has reported sights of the family practicing their circus acts in their backyard. In 2004, the Zacchini residence is sold, putting an end to the circus era at 128 North Briggs Avenue.
2009
2012
March of 2026
October of 2026
The 1920's cottages had visibly fallen into disrepair. After spotting a "For Rent" sign on one of the homes, entrepreneur Wendy Lee Goldberg decided to take a chance. She restored the structure and transformed it into The Breakfast House.
Following Goldberg's success, the landowners expanded on the idea and converted the surrounding 1920s cottages into a retail and dining village. The cluster of bungalows became known as the "Historic Downtown Village".
The block the cottages reside on is slated for redevelopment. Tennessee-based Bristol Development Group has proposed clearing the entire site to construct a 324-unit, multi-story apartment complex.
The community of small businesses that have been operating
in the homes for over a decade come together to save the bungalows by relocating them to what will become the new "Sarasota Bungalow Village".
It was announced that the deal between the Bristol Development Group and the Lancaster's was discontinued. The land holding the current "Historic Downtown Village" is no longer under contract. Now, the fate of the block at 1800 Fruitville Road is currently unknown.
The plans for the new Sarasota Bungalow Village will move forward. The 1956 home owned by the Zacchini family will continue to become The Breakfast House. We are on track to move the first historic cottage to the property in November of 2026.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Winter Quarters in Sarasota, Florida, 1929. Photo courtesy of the Historical Society of Sarasota County.
El Vernona Hotel in 1926 before becoming the John Ringling Hotel in 1930, then demolished in 1998 to make way for the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Photo courtesy of the Sarasota County History Center.
Paul Newman and two Ringling Brothers circus performers in the 1950's. Photo courtesy of world-renowned Sarasota photographer Joseph Janney Steinmetz and the Sarasota County History Center.
The original "Historic Downtown Village" map. Photo courtesy of the Historic Downtown Village of Sarasota.
1817 Fruitville Road in 2009 before transitioning into The Breakfast House.
1817 Fruitville Road in 2024 as The Breakfast House.
The new "Sarasota Bungalow Village" map. Photo courtesy of Jazz Wingard.
128 N. Briggs Ave in 2026 before transitioning into The Breakfast House.
The current render of 128 N. Briggs Ave as The Breakfast House.