SARASOTA -- Just in time to take advantage of a red-hot real estate market, a house with ties to a historic circus family is up for sale near Sarasota.
A real estate firm is offering what's known as the Original Ringling House in Manatee County, near the Sarasota-Bradenton airport. It was built around 1920 for Alfred Ringling, one of the seven brothers of the family associated with the Ringling Brothers circus. He died before it was finished, and his widow and son completed construction. In 1924 son Richard Ringling sold the 218 acre bayfront estate to developers, and the house was moved to its current location.
It's called the original house because the wealthiest brothers, John and Charles Ringling, had winter homes by then but wouldn't build their well-known mansions until several years later. The current owner has spent the last two years renovating the house, with a new roof, new air conditioning system and pool pump, among other changes. The asking price is $1,499,000.
The Ringlings were a major influence in the development of Sarasota in the early 20th century, through their various projects. Sarasota was the winter home of the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey circus from 1927 to 1959.
Here's a link to more information about the house:
Photo/Graphic: McNaught Group/Canva