National Register of Historic Places in Venice

The city’s rich history is also recognized through the National Register of Historic Places.  Created in 1966 by the Federal Government and administered by the National Park Service, this program recognizes those places that have played a significant role in our past.  National designation does provide a few benefits, such as tax credits for income-producing properties, but is more honorary in nature.  Venice is fortunate to have eight properties individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places along with five National Historic Districts.

For more information about the National Register and how to list a property in it, please visit the National Register of Historic Places.

Individual Properties in the National Register of Historic Places

Hotel Venice, 200 Nassau Street North

Constructed in 1927, Hotel Venice is significant in the areas of architecture and community planning. The building was the central focus of the planned community of Venice and, as such, contributed significantly to the community's growth and promotion.  The building was designed by nationally prominent architect Leon Gillette of the firm Walker and Gillette and is an academically correct expression of the Renaissance Revival style. Listed February 1984

 Blalock House, 241 South Harbor Drive

The residence built at 241 South Harbor Drive is one of the original medium-sized residences planned for Venice in 1925. The structure was built in the Mediterranean Revival style that was required by the developers of the plan, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.  This was part of the significance of the Nolen Plan in Venice as it was able to provide for comprehensive planning under the auspices of one universal architectural style. By doing so, the development of Venice was directly linked to the architectural style of the historic period and reflects the implementation of the Nolen Plan by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. Listed April 1989

Levillain-Letton House, 229 South Harbor Drive

The residence built at 229 South Harbor Drive is one of the original medium-sized residences planned for Venice in 1925. The structure was built in the Mediterranean Revival style that was required by the developers of the plan, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. Located between Venezia Park and Menendez Park (Armada Drive area), the Levillain/Letton House conforms to the standards imposed by both the city planner and the developer in the completion of residential neighborhoods for medium income families. Listed April 1989

Senator Copeland House, 710 Armada Road South

 The house at 710 Armada Road South, commonly referred to as the Senator Copeland House, is one of the original large-sized residences planned for Venice in 1925. The structure was built in the Mediterranean Revival style that was required by the developers of the plan, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. Listed August 1989

Venice Train Depot, 303 East Venice Avenue

 Built in 1927 as part of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers’ plans to develop Venice, this structure connected Venice to northern markets for over 70 years.  The depot welcomed home buyers, Kentucky Military Institute cadets and faculty, the U.S. Army, and the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.  Currently it serves as a public transportation hub, rental space, and museum space managed by the Venice Area Historical Society. Listed August 1989

Valencia Hotel and Arcade, 229 West Venice Avenue

This building was owned by Stanton Ennes, the general manager of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) Realty Corporation.  It was designed as two-story wings facing each other connected on the first floor by a roofed, open-ended arcade. The second floor housed a hotel originally called Hotel Valencia, with each room facing an open porch. Seven stores and the hotel lobby and post office occupied the first floor, with some opening directly onto the arcade. By July 1927, a newsstand, and an office of Florida Power & Light Company also occupied the building. The ventilated box-like structures on the roof were part of the original solar heating system. Listed November 1994

 Triangle Inn, 351 Nassau Street South

The Triangle Inn originally served as a boarding house that also hosted tea parties and graduations.  During World War II, many army officers stayed there while stationed at the air base.  The building would go on to become apartments, a home, and later offices.  Threatened with demolition, the City of Venice relocated it to Blalock Park and converted it into the home for the City’s museum. Listed February 1996

Johnson-Schoolcraft Building, 201-203 West Venice Avenue

 Completed in October 1926 for an estimated cost of $45,000, this building was to have five shops on the first floor and apartments on the second. The housing market was so limited in the new city that five apartments were rented before the building was completed.  The Venice Pharmacy, declared to be “one of the finest in the south,” was the building’s major first floor tenant. Listed December 1996

National Historic Districts

Armada Road Multi-Family District - Roughly bounded by Granada Ave., Harbor Dr. S., Armada Rd. S., and Park Blvd. S.

The developers of the Nolen Plan for Venice, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, encouraged substantial building activity in Venice to provide adequate housing for all income ranges. The Menendez Park (now called John Nolen Park) area of the Plan was designed to provide multifamily housing. The Armada Road Multi-Family District of Venice represents that portion of the 1926 Nolen Plan calling for the provision of multi-family, modest income housing. The character and design of the district are significant elements of the framework of development in Venice. Listed December 1989

Edgewood Historic District - Roughly bounded by School St., Myrtle Ave., Venice-By-Way, and Groveland Ave.

The developers of the Nolen Plan for Venice, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, encouraged substantial building activity in Venice to provide adequate housing for all income ranges. The Edgewood District of Venice represents that portion of the 1926 Nolen Plan calling for the provision of low and moderate-income housing. The character and design of the district are significant elements of the framework of development in Venice.

Residential construction started in Edgewood in July, 1926 when thirty houses were announced for construction with a combined value of $135,000. For the most part, M. M. Gleichman of Tampa designed the contributing houses; one contractor, Carey and Walker, constructed most of them.  Listed December 1989

Enjoy this brochure on Edgewood that was part of the 2024 walking tour sponsored by Venice Historical Resources, Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation and the Venice Area Historical Society.

Venezia Park Historic District - Roughly bounded by Palermo St., Sorrento St., Harbor Dr. S., and Salerno St.

The district is a significant element of the comprehensive plan for the city of Venice as created by city planner John Nolen. The large park provides a green setting for medium-sized Mediterranean Revival style houses. The overall street pattern surrounding the park is visually interesting and connects to the many fine residences of the district. The district is significant for the overall plan layout as well as the architectural merits of the individual structures.

The social history and community planning and development of Venice during the initial period of development are closely related in the Venezia Park Historic District. Because the plan for Venice was designed around social status, the district, as a successful component of the plan, shows the development of a residential neighborhood specifically designed to meet the needs of the middle class.  Listed December 1989

Take a virtual tour of Venezia Park!

Eagle Point Historic District - 759 N. Tamiami Trail

 In 1916, Mrs. Bertha Honore Palmer hired M.T.L. Evans, manager of a Wyoming summer dude ranch, to build a winter hunting and fishing camp on Sarasota-Venice Company land along Roberts Bay. Under the ownership of the Palmers' holding company, Eagle Point was designed as a rustic winter resort where the Sarasota-Venice Company could host prominent guests and attract potential investors to undeveloped holdings on the market.

Popular with wealthy sportsmen and their families, Eagle Point operated at full capacity during the winter months from its completion in late 1916 until its closure in the 1980s. The camp complex consisted of one-story frame vernacular cabins situated around a two-story frame vernacular clubhouse, which contained the dining room, lounge, library, and bachelor quarters. Forming a rough semi-circle, the complex faced northwest towards Roberts Bay. The residences featured glass or screen enclosed porches that reflected the use of the buildings during the winter months. Listed October 1991

John Nolen Plan of Venice Historic District - Laguna Dr on north, Home Park Rd on east, The Corso on south, The Esplanade on west

The John Nolen Plan of Venice Historic District comprises major portions of the City of Venice that were completed following the John Nolen Plan of the city of Venice, Florida, which was platted between 1926 and 1929. Completion of the major elements of the plan were not realized during the Florida real estate boom of the 1920s, but was undertaken only in the Post-World War II era and completed in accordance with John Nolen's plan in 1960. Listed November 2010