Charles Ringling
(1863-1926)

Died aged c. 63

Charles Ringling was born on December 2, 1863 in MacGregor, Iowa. He was one of seven brothers who formed the Ringling Brothers Circus in the late 1880s. By 1920, only two brothers remained, John and Charles. John Ringling was the public face of the circus, while Charles ensured day to day operations. Both John and Charles invested heavily in Sarasota real estate after their arrival in 1911. In contrast to his brother’s interest in developing Sarasota’s coastal areas, Charles Ringling invested in the downtown. He bought the old Gillespie golf course and developed the city’s business district. He was president of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, 1925-26, during which time he built the Sarasota Terrace Hotel. Ringling founded his own bank, the Ringling Bank and Trust Company and gave property to the county for a courthouse. Charles and Edith Ringling built their Sarasota home in 1925 next to his brother John’s residence, Ca’ d’Zan. Designed in the Italian Renaissance style, it was completed in 1926 at a cost of $800,000. Charles Ringling died on December 3, 1926.

OpenPlaques

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.

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