From Through The Ages, a monthly magazine devoted to the uses of Marble. August 1930, Vol. 8, No. 4
The Exterior is of Pink Marble, and the Interior Contains a Considerable Quantity of Miscellaneous Marbles
Separated from the Gulf of Mexico by a series of Keys paralleling the west coast of Florida is a widely known body of water named Sarasota Bay. On the eastern shore of this bay is Sarasota, lying about 45 miles due south of Tampa; and just north of Sarasota, perhaps some three miles, is Indian Beach. Here is located a palatial residence built of marble, designed for the late Charles E. Ringling, of circus fame. The architects of this building were Clas, Shepherd and Clas, of Milwaukee, and the structure, started before the Florida boom, was finished just afterward. It is at present owned by Mrs. Ringling, who divides her time between her residences in Evanston, Illinois, and Indian Beach.
The property has a frontage along the Tamiami Trail, its eastern boundary, of 990 feet and runs back a depth of 2,000 feet to the shore of Sarasota Bay, its western boundary. Immediately to the south is the estate of Mr. John Ringling. The development of the property included the large residence for Mr. Charles E. Ringling and a smaller residence for his daughter, Mrs. Patterson, located south of the main house and connected thereto with a covered promenade and teahouse. In addition, there are the necessary garages and servants’ quarters located on the property.
Originally the site, which had been owned by Mr. Ringling for many years, contained an old frame house, and this was moved and remodeled for a caretaker’s quarters. The main house measures 208 feet along its eastern front, has a depth of 66 feet and is two stories high. The central portion is surmounted by a handsome balustrade, decorated at intervals by festoons carved boldly and gracefully upon the pink marble surfaces. The main floor windows are arched, those of the upper floor square headed, and the center of the east front contains the entrance way protected by an extensive porte-cochere, also having round arches and topped by a balustrade in keeping with the style of the house itself. A full front view of this facade, as when one approaches from the main drive, discloses a column treatment across the east face of the porte-cochere that is quite effective, and from a little way off its appearance, flattened by distance, is that of a portico to the house which, beneath the bright sun, gleams like one of the Renaissance palaces of the Venetian Doges. The perfection of the whole picture is enhanced by the white marble fountain and basin set in the center of the irregularly shaped plot of ground formed by the curving driveway immediately in front of the house, and the exotic tropical-like foliage of trees and planting. There is considerable latitude for landscaping, since the house is located about 1,700 feet back from the main road, and is reached by a long motor drive along its center axis. The general plan of the house is arranged roughly around three sides of a square, open on the west to the bay, and having a servants’ wing attached to the north.
The entire exterior is veneered with Pink Etowah Georgia marble, terraces, buttresses, porte-cochere, etc. being of the same material. The finish was in a light axed type, and the splendid appearance of the marble may be judged from the close-up of the porte-cochere. It is said that considerable difficulty was experienced getting the cars containing the marble through from the quarries, as the railroads at the time of the Florida boom had embargoes in effect that prevented shipments.
The main floor of the Ringling residence contains a living room about 58 feet by 30 feet, a music room about 60 feet by 30 feet, a dining room about half this size, a billiard room 24 feet by 20 feet and a loggia nearly 50 feet long and 10 feet wide. The servants’ wing adds to the available area, containing butler’s pantry, kitchen, servants’ dining room, screened porch and refrigerator room.
The living room is so placed as to provide access either directly or indirectly to all the main rooms on the first floor and it has dual use of a reception room and main hall. The room has a low wood wainscot, with a base of Botticino marble. The floor is of Yellow Siena marble and there is a magnificent fireplace at one side built of Botticino. In addition the piers are of Botticino marble. All woodwork and walls are finished in old ivory, with an all-over patterned plaster ceiling in white. One is impressed on entering this room with its apparent great size and its abundance of lights. Its size is accentuated by the main stair which leads directly from this room to the second floor. This stair is semi-circular, and is a combination of Botticino marble treads and risers with an elaborate bronze railing and wood handrail. Marble was also used for the window stools of the living room.
On the opposite end of the living room to the main stair, access is gained to the music room by means of a short flight of marble steps. This room contains an elaborate organ console and pipe organ with an echo organ remotely located elsewhere in the plan. The music room is Italian Renaissance, having a teakwood plank floor and a wainscot for the greater part of its height in American walnut, with a wood beamed ceiling finished in stain with applied painting decoration. One of the chief features, however, is a massive mantel of Travertine, delicately carved. The south end of this room connects with the covered promenade leading through the teahouse to Mrs. Patterson’s home. Between the living room and music room is a small office with a floor of similar marble to the living room.
The dining room is early Florentine in character and has a random tile floor and a mantel of imported French Caen stone, with a hearth of Gray Siena. Modeled plaster walls and vaulted ceiling enrich the room, and the walls are encircled with a low wainscot in American walnut.
The billiard room is Pompeian in design. It is wainscoted about 3 feet high in Belgian Black marble with a series of pilasters around the walls having Verde Antique marble bases the height of the wainscot. The room contains a Verde Antique marble fireplace with incised carving of conventional Pompeian motifs picked out in color and gilt. The imposts supporting the lintel over the fireplace opening are in the form of winged eagle like figures. The room has, as another feature, a fountain, the bowl of which is cut out of one piece of Verde Antique marble and extends in circular form from a semi-circular niche in the center of the west wall. The walls of this room above the wainscot are richly decorated with mural paintings in bright colors and the ceiling has been picked out in color and gilt. But the most striking thing in the billiard room, after all, is the floor, which has a border of Verde Antique marble and a field of Tinos marble with Verde Antique dots.
On the second floor, there are two master bedrooms, each with a sitting room, dressing rooms, and individual baths; four guestrooms with baths; a secretary’s room and bath and the necessary linen storage, sewing room, and incidental rooms, as well as four servant’s rooms and bath in the servants’ quarters. Mantels in various bedrooms are either of Famosa or Tinos marble, very admirable executed and adding greatly to the distinction of the house.
The fenestration of the exterior walls are arranged so as to give a maximum of light and air so necessary in a semi-tropical climate. Practically all the windows on the first floor are long double in swinging casements, and on the second floor are mainly of the double-hung type. All bedroom doors were provided with louver ventilators permitting thorough circulation of air at all times. Emphasis was given to the west exposure of the house, as from this side the bay view is obtained.
In addition to the marble already described, the sink, tops, etc. in the kitchen are of Badger Pink Tennessee. This use of the material, so frequently overlooked even in the most substantial of homes, has given great satisfaction to the owners. Indeed, the marble treatment in the Ringling home is generally noteworthy, not so much for its quantity, insofar as the interior is concerned, as for its intelligent employment. Mrs. Charles Ringling herself, asked recently why this selection was made, said: “The home was built of marble as it was considered the most durable and the most beautiful. The marble is holding up perfectly and comes up to previous expectations in every respect. Every guest is enthusiastic over it.”
Upon the death of Mr. Charles Ringling, Clas, Shepherd and Clas were commissioned to design and construct a mausoleum containing two crypts. This mausoleum was erected in Manasota Burial Park at Sarasota, Florida. It is in the form of an irregular octagon supported on a reinforced concrete floating foundation and built of Pink Etowah Georgia marble on the exterior. The interior is entirely constructed of Italian Carrara marble.
All exterior marble work was anchored with bronze and all metalwork such as doors and windows, with their frames, was of cast bronze. The last two courses forming the stepped roof were in one piece and the veneering varied from 10 inches at the base to 6 inches at the top.
The main shaft of the mausoleum is supported on a stylobate of three marble steps which are square in plan. The shaft itself is octagon and flanking the entrance are two marble vases, for planting in low Grecian design. The main shaft of the mausoleum is refined with an 4 inch batter all around and the front is carved in low ornament of laurel leaf design. Over the main entrance is a carved inverted wreath.
On the interior, the two crypts flank the entrance and are moulded and carved in the manner of old Roman sarcophagi. Directly opposite the entrance, silhouetted against the light from the small windows, is a marble urn of delicate Grecian form. The structure is an exquisite effort and worthy of the materials employed.
This information was taken from an old mimeo copy of an article from a 1930's magazine devoted to Marble for educational purposes only, with kind permission.
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