Stop 1: Historic Mansions
Located directly on Sarasota Bay, Caples Hall is the former mansion of Ralph Caples (1872-1949), an early railroad pioneer and civic leader. The estate was bequeathed to New College in 1962 by Ellen Caples, who lived in the main house until her death in 1971. Today, the Caples Mansion houses faculty offices and art history classrooms. The nearby Carriage House is home to the Environmental Studies Program. The property also includes a storage shed, and is the location of the New College sailing program, as well as a popular launching site for kayaks and canoes.
The residence and outbuildings have undergone only minor alterations since they were constructed in the late 1920's. Entrance to the estate is through a simple iron gate with masonry gateposts. Lush plantings along the original north and south property lines separate the estate from its neighbors. The exterior of the main house exhibited many elements of the Mediterranean Revival style, including arched and square headed windows, stucco exteriors and the familiar red tile hipped roof. The roof tiles were given to Caples by John Ringling and supposedly came from a building which had been demolished in Spain
Alfred Clas, who designed the Charles Ringling mansion, was reported to have designed the Caples Residence. The Caples residence was similar in plan to the Charles Ringling residence and the John and Mable Ringling Museum. Designed around three sides of a patio that opened to the bay, the two-story stucco masonry building contained two living rooms, a dining room, a sun porch, four bedrooms and four baths. The dining room rose a full two-stories and had a covered ceiling. Immediately to the east of the residence and connected to it by a masonry wall was a two-story garage and apartment, also exhibiting Mediterranean Revival characteristics. A two-bay, one-story storage house stood east of the garage.
Throughout their lives, Ralph and Ellen Caples were active in the social, political and economic affairs of Sarasota. Ralph advanced money to the city to create a waterfront park in 1937. He served as director of the Chamber of Commerce in 1925-26 and 1933, and donated the land for the city's first municipal airport in 1929. Most importantly, he was instrumental in convincing the Ringling Brothers to move the winter headquarters for the circus from Connecticut to Sarasota in 1927.
The Caples Estate is the smallest and southern-most estate in a Historic District composed of the contiguous estates of John Ringling, Charles Ringling and Ralph Caples. The physical connection of their estates is symbolic of the personal and professional relationships of these men. The estates physically perpetuate their legacies and attest to their significance in the history of Sarasota.
The residence and outbuildings have undergone only minor alterations since they were constructed in the late 1920's. Entrance to the estate is through a simple iron gate with masonry gateposts. Lush plantings along the original north and south property lines separate the estate from its neighbors. The exterior of the main house exhibited many elements of the Mediterranean Revival style, including arched and square headed windows, stucco exteriors and the familiar red tile hipped roof. The roof tiles were given to Caples by John Ringling and supposedly came from a building which had been demolished in Spain
Alfred Clas, who designed the Charles Ringling mansion, was reported to have designed the Caples Residence. The Caples residence was similar in plan to the Charles Ringling residence and the John and Mable Ringling Museum. Designed around three sides of a patio that opened to the bay, the two-story stucco masonry building contained two living rooms, a dining room, a sun porch, four bedrooms and four baths. The dining room rose a full two-stories and had a covered ceiling. Immediately to the east of the residence and connected to it by a masonry wall was a two-story garage and apartment, also exhibiting Mediterranean Revival characteristics. A two-bay, one-story storage house stood east of the garage.
Throughout their lives, Ralph and Ellen Caples were active in the social, political and economic affairs of Sarasota. Ralph advanced money to the city to create a waterfront park in 1937. He served as director of the Chamber of Commerce in 1925-26 and 1933, and donated the land for the city's first municipal airport in 1929. Most importantly, he was instrumental in convincing the Ringling Brothers to move the winter headquarters for the circus from Connecticut to Sarasota in 1927.
The Caples Estate is the smallest and southern-most estate in a Historic District composed of the contiguous estates of John Ringling, Charles Ringling and Ralph Caples. The physical connection of their estates is symbolic of the personal and professional relationships of these men. The estates physically perpetuate their legacies and attest to their significance in the history of Sarasota.
Stop 1: Historic Mansions
Stop 2: Campus & Facilities
Stop 3: Natural Science Facilities
Stop 4: Recreation
Stop 5: Housing Stop 6: Music & Fine Arts Stop 7: Library Stop 8: Classrooms
Stop 9: Sarasota-Bradenton Stop 10: Student Life Stop 11: Dining Return to Campus Tour >>
Stop 5: Housing Stop 6: Music & Fine Arts Stop 7: Library Stop 8: Classrooms
Stop 9: Sarasota-Bradenton Stop 10: Student Life Stop 11: Dining Return to Campus Tour >>
