Baseball in Sarasota

In Owen's Backyard

In 1927 citizens and visitors gathered at the corner of today's Tamiami Trail & 1st Street to listen to the radio broadcast of major league baseball. Did you notice the scoreboard on the 3rd floor roof? Did you notice what people are sitting on? The Houle Block Company was across the street and blocks were dragged across the street to use as seats.

The Owen Burns residence is on the right.

In the 1920's Owen Burns built a home for John J. McGraw, manager of the New York Giants on Sarasota’s bay front. The residence was designed by Thomas Reed Martin.

Happy Birthday Owen Burns!

Mr. Owen Burns would have been 141 years old today. My, oh my, that's a lot of candles! Happy Birthday Mr. Burns and Happy Halloween! You treated Sarasota well. We promise that our celebration of your steller life November 8 - 14 won't be tricky. It's just a great way for Sarasota to say "THANK YOU".

Owen Burns Slept Here

Owen Burns purchased the Halton Sanitarium for his residence in 1910 shortly after staying there as a guest.

Mrs. Burns described their home to the Sarasota Herald Tribune as "delightful in its early days with the view of the bay unparalleled. Downstairs, it had a large living room and on either side a sun room and music room. Upstairs there were eight bedrooms and two baths. On the third floor there were three bedrooms and a bath."

The house sat on the northeast corner of Tamiami Trail and Gulf Stream Avenue where One Sarasota Tower is now located.

Halton Sanitarium

After Mrs. Burns sold the property it became a rooming house and motel named The Admiral. After its demolition in 1961 many long-time residents still remember it well as the Kiwanis Christmas Tree Lot.

The Admiral - Looking closely you can see the the brick patterned sidewalk and brick paved street that the Burns & McAlpin Company laid throughout the city.

Building Cà d'Zan

In 1925 Owen Burns built Cà d'Zan, John and Mable Ringling's home, and was responsible for the remarkable and swift construction of less than a year. The mansion was built from terra cotta "T" blocks, concrete, and brick, covered with stucco and embellished with glazed tile. The original roof was made of 16th century Spanish tiles imported by Mr. Burns. The spectacular terrace on Sarasota bay is made of domestic and imported marble. The Venetian Gothic residence is five stories, 36,000 square feet, with 41 rooms, 15 bathrooms, a full basement and an 81-foot Belvedere tower. 

In April 2002, a six year, $15 million comprehensive restoration and conservation was completed.

Owen Burns - Developer Extraordinaire

Owen Burns developed Sarasota's most significant properties:

• Cá d'Zan

• Burns Office Building / Bickel House

• El Vernona / John Ringling Hotel

• Burns Court

• Washington Park

• Ringling Estates

• Gillespie Park

• Pineapple Apartment Bldg. / Herald Square

• Sarasota's seawall

• The Ringling Causeway

• St. Armands

• Golden Gate

• Lido Beach Pavilion

• Citizens Bank

• Sunset Park

• Cedar Point

• Inwood Park Subdivision

• Ritz-Carlton Longboat Key

• Payne Terminal

• El Vernona Apartments / The Belle Haven

and

• nearly every brick street and sidewalk in the city!