Municipal Auditorium-Recreation Club (Sarasota, Florida)

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The Civic Center was a depression-era project for the City of Sarasota, partially funded by the federal W.P.A. It created a public recreation area on the last sizeable parcel of bayfront property in the city, between 6th and 10th Streets from the Tamiami Trail to the Bay. The Municipal Auditorium, designed by Thomas Reed Martin and built in the Art Deco style, was the first building in the Center and opened with the annual Sara de Soto Pageant ball in February 1938. To the north and west of the auditorium were courts for shuffleboard, tennis and badminton, and greens for lawn bowling and croquet.

For more information, please visit the floridahistoryalive website, and click on the Journals of Yesteryear section. While on the site also check out the historic markers, historical designations, walking tours, and now a great video spotlight.