Courtesy of Sarasota County
History Center
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The Clubhouse was built on the
site of Edzell Castle that was built in 1914, then bought along
with the rest of Bird Key by John Ringling in 1922. Ringling's
sister, Ida Ringling North, and her family lived in the house
from the late 1930's until 1950.
At that time the Arvida
Corporation bought the house, demolished it, and began to
develop Bird Key as a residential area. In 1959 Arvida
established the Bird Key Yacht Club for the "benefit, amusement,
recreation, and entertainment of its members and their friends."
Nine years later the members elected the first Board of
Governors and they became an independent entity. Since then the
Club has had numerous upgrades and renovations and is constantly
improving its facilities and services.
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