Historic Boat & Lighthouse (Sarasota, Florida)

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The two structures located at 425 and 433 S. Osprey Avenue are a novelty and curiosity for citizens and visitors of Sarasota.

The construction of buildings that resemble boats and lighthouses is not a new idea as there are several others elsewhere in the United States. As such, it may be said that Sarasota's belong to a very exclusive "club" of landmark buildings.

The Boat and Lighthouse were reportedly built in 1933 for Captain Arthur C. Rowe by shipbuilder Oliver Blackburn.

Arthur Rowe came to Sarasota in the early teens as a marine engineer and captain for John Ringling. Later, Rowe worked for William Selby in the same capacity. According to Arthur Rowe, Jr., Captain Rowe purchased the property in 1921. The captain and shipbuilder constructed the buildings as a reminder of the sea, which was central to their lives. Oliver Blackburn was a well-known shipbuilder of the era and a brother to George Blackburn, a pioneer Sarasota merchant and politician.


For more information, visit the floridahistoryalive website, and click on the historic designations section. While on the site, check out the other interesting short stories, historic markers, walking tours, and now video spotlights.