Sarasota's Bustling Five Points

Drawing by John Hardy for the Sarasota Herald Tribune circa 1951

The bustling roundabout intersection known as ‘Five Points’ is, historically, the anchor of downtown Sarasota. Located at the Pineapple, Main and Central Intersection, this downtown spot is well-known to us ‘Hometowners’. 

My memories go back to the mid-fifties and include pushing my little sister, who was on a float in the Sara de Soto Pageant Parade, down Main Street, headed for the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium. I remember feeling awkward and almost embarrassed being on display at the time, but now it’s a fond memory. I also remember passing by Five Points on the way to the City Pier to get permits with my dad, who was a builder here in the fifties and sixties. The Sarasota government offices were located on the pier at that time before moving to their downtown location. (More on this in a future Blog!)

Many activities thrived and culminated at Five Points back then. My wife remembers blisters on her heals from marching down Main Street to Five Points with the Sarasota High School marching band back in the late sixties. Her mom often told stories of her participation in the parade and the filming of the movie, The Greatest Show on Earth, about the Ringling Brothers Circus...and I was in the crowd watching the grand parade as it was being filmed.

Her dad, artist John Hardy, labeled Five Points as ‘The Hub of a Great Art Center’ in the late forties. He was attending Ringling School of Art (as it was known back then) and worked at the Sarasota Herald Tribune as the Art Director. His drawing of Five Points for the Herald Tribune depicted here shows lots of activity during those bustling days before the malls took much of the downtown business away to the suburbs of Sarasota. The centerpiece of the drawing is the stone monument, which was installed in 1928, honoring our Sarasota soldiers who served us proudly. The monument was moved to Gulfstream Avenue on the Bayfront in 1954 because it was considered a traffic hazard. I remember it as the focal point of downtown Sarasota and will hold on to my memories!

If you are looking for real estate in downtown Sarasota, call me at 941-315-1185 and I can show you today's beautiful Sarasota and tell you stories about the wonderful history of my Hometown.

Here’s a great article about Five Points and the Monument by ABC 7/My Suncoast’s Linda Carson. As Linda said: “It still remains the heart of Sarasota.”

http://www.mysuncoast.com/news/local/sarasota-s-five-points-the-hub-of-sarasota-since-its/article_3fba1f8e-27d7-11e4-9fb3-001a4bcf6878.html