Florida Junction

One of the little known facts about the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers is our role in the founding of the Florida beach haven Venice.

In 1925, the BLE founded the city of Venice because it seemed like a sound investment where "rail, trail and water meet" (Locomotive Engineers Journal, July 1926, Vol. 60 No. 7). Railroads and other industries were also investing in the Sarasota County area and the BLE, under the direction of International President Alvanley Johnston, thought that land in the area would be a good investment.

Venice was a carefully planned community. Renowned architects and city planners were instrumental to its success. People from around the nation were interested in the outcome of this project. It was touted as "a choice home city in Florida."

The BLE also meant for Venice to be a choice home city for its engineers along with members of the general public. The Journal published many testimonials from engineers about the benefits of the warm weather and sunshine in Florida. While the volume of response was not as high as the BLE desired, many engineers did buy homes in the area.

"The opening of Venice is commanding national attention not only because it is a noteworthy achievement by a great labor organization, nor even because natural beauty, expert planning and architectural skill combine to make it the finest residential development on the continent, but chiefly because Venice is an economically complete community, with intelligent provision for the development of agriculture, industry, and commerce, as well as for the building of beautiful homes" (LEJ, July 1926, Vol. 60 No. 3).

The BLE's planners thought of everything. They made the streets wide enough to accommodate many cars and built enough water and sewer lines for a large population.

They also made sure that divergent economic classes could live in Venice. They had lots that sold for thousands of dollars where homes were built on a lavish scale and in different sections of the community, they had less expensive lots where smaller homes could be built. They were trying to make it a community for everyone. BLE members were encouraged to buy land and homes in the area, but many non-members resided there. It was home to many wealthy families, who, because of limited travel abroad during World War I, had come to enjoy the climate and lifestyle in Florida.

Farmers came to take advantage of the fertile land. The BLE made sure that large farming corporations were kept out by only selling to those who farmed the land themselves or had hired hands to do it.

The good times for the BLE in Venice ended abruptly with the stock market crash in 1929. After the crash, the BLE had to foreclose on many of the loans it made to individuals and corporations. The burden of these debts was too much for the BLE to bear and the holdings in Venice were eventually sold.

Today, Venice is still a vibrant community with a population of more than 29,000. The community has always honored the BLE for its efforts in founding Venice. Today, some in the community want to build a monument to the BLE at the train station which is currently being refurbished.

The founding of Venice was just one of the great BLE accomplishments of the last century and is a continuing monument to the enduring ingenuity of the BLE.

© 2000 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers