Charles Edward Ringling

Charles Edward Ringling
Born	Charles Edward Rüngeling December 2, 1863(1863-12-02) McGregor, Iowa
Died	December 3, 1926(1926-12-03) (aged 63)
Known for	Ringling Brothers Circus Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Spouse	Edith
Parents	August Ringling Marie Salomé Juliar
Relatives	John Nicholas Ringling, brother John Ringling North, nephew

Charles Edward Ringling (December 2, 1863 – December 3, 1926) was one of the Ringling brothers, who owned the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. He was in charge of production and greatly admired by the employees, who called him "Mr. Charlie" and sought his advice and help even for personal problems.

Sarasota, Florida development

Charles Ringling bought large tracts of land in the Sarasota, Florida area, including the Gillespie Golf Course. He developed the Courthouse Subdivision, which extended the business center of Sarasota beyond the bay front. He donated land for a courthouse to serve as the county seat for the newly created, Sarasota County. He built the high-rise Sarasota Terrace Hotel near the railroad terminus and a bank through which he encouraged development in the community. Ringling Boulevard, which winds eastward from Tamiami Trail was named in honor of Charles Ringling because of his many civic activities in the community.

The winter retreat of Edith and Charles Ringling was built on Sarasota Bay in the Shell Beach subdivision platted in 1896 by Mary Louise and Charles N. Thompson. The Thompsons, associated with another circus, were instrumental in interesting members of the Ringling family about living in Sarasota.

Their retreat was completed in 1926, the year he died.^[1] Included on the property was another gracious bay front home for their daughter, Hester, and her children. As well as being intended for large social gatherings and performances, the compound was designed to be completely self-sufficient, including staff quarters, farming, and livestock. The bay front homes are connected by a covered walkway that creates a transition between the two architectural styles. Within months of the completion of the construction, Charles died, but Edith Ringling and their daughter, Hester, continued to reside on the estate for many decades. The structures on what came to be known internationally as the Edith Ringling residence,^[2] and the Hester Ringling Landcaster Sanford residence ^[3] are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of a historic district that includes the retreat of Ellen and Ralph Caples, the retreat of Mable and John Ringling, and the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, as well. The homes of Edith and Hester often were featured in magazines and periodicals because of their architecture, landscaping, and interior design. The civic, musical, theatrical, and social activities of the women were of interest to readers also.

In the 1960s, New College of Florida purchased the estate for development as part of its campus and uses the historic buildings for administrative purposes and special events.

Charles Ringling died on December 3, 1926.^[1] His wife, Edith, participated in the business and was a member of the board of directors of the circus. Edith Ringling continued in that capacity after the death of Charles, assuming many additional duties that had been her husband's and thereafter, being hailed affectionately as "Mrs. Charlie" by those who relied upon her to continue his traditional roles.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} To, Speeiaz (December 4, 1926). "Charles Ringling, Circus Owner, Dies. Member of World's Greatest Show Organization. One of Six Famous Brothers.". New York Times. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10711FC3E5912738DDDAD0894DA415B868EF1D3. Retrieved 2008-07-21. "One of the famous "six brothers of Baraboo," Charles Ringling was the son of a harness maker of Baraboo, Wisconsin. The brothers, John, Charles, Otto, Al, ..." 
2. ^ http://www.sarasotahistoryalive.com/stories/journals-of-yesteryear/residence-of-edith-ringling/ Benz, Kafi, Residence of Edith Ringling, Sarasota History Alive!, Journals of Yesteryear, December 8, 2010
3. ^ http://www.sarasotahistoryalive.com/stories/journals-of-yesteryear/residence-of-hester-ringling-lancaster-sanford/ Benz, Kafi, Residence of Hester Ringling Lancaster Sanford, Sarasota History Alive!, Journals of Yesteryear, April 29, 2009

External links

Biography portal

• Charles Ringling 1864-1926 via Sarasota County History Center
• Bailey and the Ringlings via Ringling.com
• Ringling Owned Car at White Glove Collection
• "Charles Edward Ringling". Find a Grave. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=2700. Retrieved August 10, 2010. 

Persondata
Name	Ringling, Charles Edward
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	December 2, 1863
Place of birth	McGregor, Iowa
Date of death	December 3, 1926
Place of death