Venice, Florida
Encyclopedia
Sarasota County, Florida
Sarasota County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2008 estimate for the county was 372,057. Its county seat is Sarasota, Florida....
, Florida, United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2007 estimates, the city had a population of 21,015. It is noted for its large snowbird
Snowbird (people)
The term snowbird is used to describe people from the U.S. Northeast, U.S. Midwest, or Canada who spend a large portion of winter in warmer locales such as California, Arizona, Florida, Texas, the Carolinas, or elsewhere along the Sun Belt region of the southern and southwest United States,...
population. Its newspaper is the Venice Gondolier Sun. Tampa Bay's Univision
Univision
Univision is a Spanish-language television network in the United States. It has the largest audience of Spanish language television viewers according to Nielsen ratings. Randy Falco, COO, has been in charge of the company since the departure of Univision Communications president and CEO Joe Uva...
affiliate WVEA-TV
WVEA-TV
WVEA-TV is the Univision affiliate for Tampa Bay, Florida, licensed to Venice. The station is owned by Entravision Communications, and also operates Telefutura affiliate WFTT-TV. The two stations share studios on Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa, in a former Barnett Bank building west of Armenia Avenue...
is licensed to Venice, though it is based in Tampa
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
, and broadcasts from Riverview
Riverview, Hillsborough County, Florida
Riverview is an unincorporated census-designated place in Hillsborough County, Florida, United States. It is located near Brandon. The population was 71,050 at the 2010 census....
.
Venice is a principal city of the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
History
In the 1870s, Richard Roberts established a homestead near Roberts Bay. In 1884, he sold a portion of his holdings to Frank Higel. Higel established a citrus operation involving the production of several lines of canned citrus items and for the next 30 years, the Higel family members were boat builders, fishermen, grove caretakers and contractors. Darwin Curry was the first postmaster. The Higel and Curry families chose the name Venice for their community post office, located south of Shakett Creek on what is now known as Portia Street in Nokomis, FloridaNokomis, Florida
Nokomis is a census-designated place in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,334 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Bradenton–Sarasota–Venice Metropolitan Statistical Area....
.
The first railroad to Venice was built in 1911, paving the way for new development and expansion. Development in Venice occurred slowly and remained a small fishing town and farming community through the first part of the 1920s. In 1925, Dr. Fred H. Albee, a well-known orthopedic surgeon, purchased 2916 acres (11.8 km²) of land from the Venice-Sarasota Company. Albee had previously developed Nokomis and built its first luxury hotel, known as the Pollyanna Inn. Albee retained John Nolen
John Nolen
John Nolen was an American landscape architect. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, John Nolen was orphaned as a child and placed in the Girard School for Orphaned Boys by the Children's Aid Society...
, a world-renowned city planner, to design a city on his land. Fred Albee, however, did not have a chance to implement his city plan before he was approached with a proposal from the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers to purchase his land in October, 1925. The purchase was motivated by a desire by BLE to increase the union's assets and holdings in the area.
The BLE Realty Corporation was organized to develop the area and the Venice Company created to market property. The company retained planner John Nolen to complete a city plan in 1926. The BLE Realty Company selected George A. Fuller as the contractor; the New York architectural firm of Walker & Gillette
Walker & Gillette
Walker & Gillette was an architectural firm based in New York City, the partnership of A. Stewart Walker and Leon N. Gillette , active from 1906 through 1945.- Biography :...
, as supervising architects; and Prentiss French as landscape architect. Finally on June 10, 1926, the first street in Venice opened to traffic. Nassau Street ran from the terminus of Tamiami Trail through Venezia Park, and again into the Trail. By mid-June 1926, the first phase was complete with 6 miles (9.7 km) of graded streets and a mile of 7 feet (2.1 m)-wide sidewalks and gutters. The Hotel Venice
Hotel Venice
The Hotel Venice is a historic hotel in Venice, Florida. It is located at 200 North Nassau Street. On February 6, 1984, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.-References and external links:* at * at...
(now known as Park Place on Nassau Street) opened on June 21, 1926 and residential construction in the town started in July 1926, with the construction of three large residences in the Gulf View subdivision. That same year, the city of Venice held its first town council meeting and formed the police and fire departments. Florida Governor John W. Martin
John W. Martin
John Wellborn Martin was an American politician. He was the 24th Governor of Florida, serving from 1925 to 1929. He also served as Mayor of Jacksonville, Florida from 1917 to 1923.-Life:...
appointed Edward L. Worthington as the first mayor of Venice. After annexations of surrounding areas, the state legislature changed the designation of Venice from a "town" to "city" on May 9, 1927.
The Venice Army Air Base was established in May 1942. The 27th Service Group was relocated from McDill Field in Tampa
Tâmpa
Tâmpa may refer to several villages in Romania:* Tâmpa, a village in Băcia Commune, Hunedoara County* Tâmpa, a village in Miercurea Nirajului, Mureş County* Tâmpa, a mountain in Braşov city...
to provide training for support services to combat air units and later, the 13th Fighter Squadron, 53rd Fighter Group, was transferred to Venice from Fort Myers. They were operational training units for combat fighter pilots and ground crewmen. After World War II, the city of Venice acquired the air base from the United States government, with the stipulation that it always be used for aviation or revert to federal ownership.
In February 2001, Robert Hanssen
Robert Hanssen
Robert Philip Hanssen is a former American FBI agent who spied for Soviet and Russian intelligence services against the United States for 22 years from 1979 to 2001...
was charged with spying for the KGB
KGB
The KGB was the commonly used acronym for the . It was the national security agency of the Soviet Union from 1954 until 1991, and was the premier internal security, intelligence, and secret police organization during that time.The State Security Agency of the Republic of Belarus currently uses the...
. After it was discovered that his mother lived in Venice, national news came to the city to report on the issue. On September 12, 2001, national news and the FBI
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
descended on Venice as it was discovered that three of the hijackers in the September 11 attacks, Mohamed Atta
Mohamed Atta
Mohamed Mohamed el-Amir Awad el-Sayed Atta was one of the masterminds and the ringleader of the September 11 attacks who served as the hijacker-pilot of American Airlines Flight 11, crashing the plane into the North Tower of the World Trade Center as part of the coordinated attacks.Born in 1968...
, Marwan Al-Shehhi
Marwan al-Shehhi
Marwan Yousef Mohamed Rashid Lekrab al-Shehhi was the hijacker-pilot of United Airlines Flight 175, crashing the plane into the South Tower of the World Trade Center as part of the September 11 attacks....
, and Ziad Jarrah
Ziad Jarrah
Ziad Samir Jarrah was one of the masterminds of the September 11 attacks who served as the hijacker-pilot of United Airlines Flight 93, crashing the plane into a field in a rural area near Shanksville—after a passenger uprising—as part of the coordinated attacks.After a wealthy and secular...
, had all lived in Venice for the purpose of taking flight training lessons at the Venice Municipal Airport. The trio had all enrolled in Florida Flight Training Center or Huffman Aviation
Huffman Aviation
Huffman Aviation was a flight-training school in Venice, Florida at Venice Municipal Airport.-Background:Huffman Aviation was established in 1972 as Venice Flying Service, and was reorganized in 1987 and renamed as Huffman Aviation. Huffman Aviation was purchased by Dutchman Rudi Dekkers in 1999. ...
. Atta's time in Venice, much of it not accounted for in FBI timelines, has been chronicled by Daniel Hopsicker in his book, "Welcome to Terrorland" and video "Mohamed Atta & The Venice Flying Circus".
Geography
Venice is located at 27°6′N 82°26′W (27.0987, -82.4390).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 9.7 square miles (25.1 km²). 9.1 square miles (23.6 km²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) of it (5.69%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 17,764 people, 9,680 households, and 5,362 families residing in the city. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,948.8 inhabitants per square mile (752.1/km²). There were 13,516 housing units at an average density of 1,482.8 per square mile (572.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.14% White, 0.55% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.10% of the population.
There were 9,680 households out of which 7.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 4.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.6% were non-families. 40.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 30.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.76 and the average family size was 2.25.
In the city the population was spread out with 6.9% under the age of 18, 2.3% from 18 to 24, 10.2% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 57.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 69 years. For every 100 females there were 76.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,536, and the median income for a family was $46,898. Males had a median income of $35,271 versus $26,132 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $28,220. About 3.7% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.4% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.
Shark's Tooth Capital of the World
Venice, Florida has been listed in many publications as being the "Shark's Tooth Capital of The World". It hosts an annual festival, the Shark's Tooth Festival, every year to celebrate the abundance of fossilized shark's teeth that can be found on its coastal shores.Locations
The following structures and areas are listed on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
:
- Armada Road Multi-Family DistrictArmada Road Multi-Family DistrictThe Armada Road Multi-Family District is a U.S. historic district in Venice, Florida. The district is bounded by Granada Avenue, Harbor Drive South, Armada Road South, and Park Boulevard South, encompasses approximately , and contains 11 historic buildings. On December 18, 1989, it was added to the...
- Blalock HouseBlalock HouseThe Blalock House is a historic home in Venice, Florida, United States. It is located at 241 South Harbor Drive. On April 12, 1989, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.-References and external links:* at * at...
- Eagle Point Historic DistrictEagle Point Historic DistrictThe Eagle Point Historic District is a U.S. historic district located in Venice, Florida. The district is at 759 North Tamiami Trail. It contains 19 historic buildings and 1 structure....
- Edgewood Historic District (Venice, Florida)
- Hotel VeniceHotel VeniceThe Hotel Venice is a historic hotel in Venice, Florida. It is located at 200 North Nassau Street. On February 6, 1984, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.-References and external links:* at * at...
- House at 710 Armada Road SouthHouse at 710 Armada Road SouthThe House at 710 Armada Road South is a historic home in Venice, Florida. It is located at 710 Armada Road South. On August 17, 1989, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places....
- Johnson-Schoolcraft BuildingJohnson-Schoolcraft BuildingThe Johnson-Schoolcraft Building is a historic site in Venice, Florida. It is located at 201-203 West Venice Avenue. On December 27, 1996, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places....
- Levillain-Letton HouseLevillain-Letton HouseThe Levillain-Letton House is a historic home in Venice, Florida. It is located at 229 South Harbor Drive. On April 12, 1989, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.-References and external links:* at * at...
- Triangle InnTriangle InnThe Triangle Inn is a historic site in Venice, Florida. It is located at 351 South Nassau Street. On February 23, 1996, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.-References and external links:* at * at...
- Valencia Hotel and ArcadeValencia Hotel and ArcadeThe Valencia Hotel and Arcade is a historic hotel in Venice, Florida. It is located at 229 West Venice Avenue. On November 10, 1994, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places....
- Venezia Park Historic DistrictVenezia Park Historic DistrictThe Venezia Park Historic District is a U.S. historic district in Venice, Florida. It is bounded by Palermo Street, Sorrento Street, South Harbor Drive, and Salerno Street, and contains 47 historic buildings. On December 18, 1989, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic...
- Venice DepotVenice DepotThe Venice Seaboard Air Line Railway Station is a historic Seaboard Air Line Railroad depot in Venice, Florida. It is located at 303 East Venice Avenue. The station was opened in 1927, and originally contained a 400 foot platform and a tower, which was removed...
Residents
- Scott PalgutaScott PalgutaScott Palguta is an American soccer player who currently plays for Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
- Professional soccer player - Steve TroutSteve TroutSteven Russell Trout is a former major league baseball pitcher who played during the 1980s.He is the son of former major league pitcher Dizzy Trout. Teammates and friends often referred to him simply as "Sorenson" along with the fairly obvious nickname Rainbow Trout...
- MLB pitcher - Hector A. Cafferata, Jr.Hector A. Cafferata, Jr.-External links:...
- Medal of Honor Recipient - Stephen KingStephen KingStephen Edwin King is an American author of contemporary horror, suspense, science fiction and fantasy fiction. His books have sold more than 350 million copies and have been adapted into a number of feature films, television movies and comic books...
- Author, lives on Casey Key, north of Venice
See also
- Kentucky Military InstituteKentucky Military InstituteThe Kentucky Military Institute was a military preparatory school in Lyndon, Kentucky and Venice, Florida, in operation from 1845 to 1971....
which wintered in Venice for many years. - Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey CircusRingling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey CircusRingling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is an American circus company. The company was started when the circus created by James Anthony Bailey and P. T. Barnum was merged with the Ringling Brothers Circus. The Ringling brothers purchased the Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1907, but ran the circuses...
, whose Clown College originally was located in Venice, and whose winter headquarters used to be in Venice. - Tervis TumblerTervis TumblerTervis Tumbler is a Venice, Florida based company that specializes in insulated tumblers.-Tervis History:In 1946 two Detroit engineers, Frank Cotter and G. Howlett Davis, created the world's first insulated tumbler, using air as the insulating material between the two tumbler walls...
, a United States drinkware manufacturer with headquarters and production in Venice.
External links
- City of Venice official site
- Venice Florida! dot com unofficial site
- VeniceFla.US Venice events, on-line community
- VeniceFlorida.org Information about Venice
- The Venice Gondolier newspaper freely and openly available with full page images and searchable text in the Florida Digital Newspaper LibraryFlorida Digital Newspaper LibraryThe Florida Digital Newspaper Library provides access to the news and history of Florida through local Florida newspapers. The Florida Digital Newspaper Library is supported by the University of Florida's George A...
- 2006 Aerial photos from Sarasota County aerial image viewer