Just a two hour drive from Orlando, Sarasota is probably most well known for being home to the Ringling Family. There’s more to this town than just the circus, though: Gorgeous beaches, an amazing annual chalk festival, breathtaking mid-century and Italian-inspired architecture and so much more. Hop in your car and take a road trip … or just cruise down memory lane with these classic photos from the State Archives of Florida.

Related: 25 vintage shots of Cocoa Beach 44 sweet shots of Daytona Beach in the 1950s 52 vintage shots of Orlando from the ’50s and ’60s 38 classic shots of Orlando from the early 20th century 43 historic shots of Orlando in the late 19th century

Photos by State Archives of Florida http://floridamemory.com/
Main Street view, 1954 Credit: State Archives of Florida
Two circus performers from the Sarasota High School Sailor Circus, 1952 Credit: State Archives of Florida
View of wharf and Belle Haven Inn from the bay, 1910 Credit: State Archives of Florida
Lido Beach, 1954 Credit: State Archives of Florida
Mira-Mar Hotel, 1926 Credit: State Archives of Florida
Scene of Gulf Stream Avenue on the bayfront, 1894 Credit: State Archives of Florida
Lower Main Street, 1947 Credit: State Archives of Florida
View of the bayfront and city dock, 1893 Credit: State Archives of Florida
Palm Avenue, 1920s Credit: State Archives of Florida
A downtown street scene, 1926 Credit: State Archives of Florida
John Ringling mansion, 1946 Credit: State Archives of Florida
View of Sarasota, 1924 Credit: State Archives of Florida
Orange Blossom Hotel viewed through Tropical Park, 1930s Credit: State Archives of Florida
Jail, 1911 Credit: State Archives of Florida
Crowd gathered in front of a theater during the ceremony for the “Greatest Show on Earth” premiere, 1952 Credit: State Archives of Florida
City dock and lower Main Street looking north from the bay, 1888 Credit: State Archives of Florida
Sarasota County courthouse, 1952 Credit: State Archives of Florida
The Outboarder marina, 1960 Credit: State Archives of Florida
Aerial view of the city, 1975 Credit: State Archives of Florida
Lido Beach Casino, 1956 Credit: State Archives of Florida
John Ringling Hotel, 1953 Credit: State Archives of Florida
Bird’s-eye view of the bayfront, 1926 Credit: State Archives of Florida
Lido Beach, 1951 Credit: State Archives of Florida
Municipal pier, 1948 Credit: State Archives of Florida
Belle Haven Inn, 1890 Credit: State Archives of Florida
Aerial view of the city, 1960s Credit: State Archives of Florida
View of the Sarasota County Courthouse, 1920 Credit: State Archives of Florida
Sarasota High School’s Sailor Circus performance, 1952 Credit: State Archives of Florida
Road in Sarasota with palms, 1946 Credit: State Archives of Florida
View of the Sarasota Trailer Park, 1948 Credit: State Archives of Florida
Mira-Mar hotel, 1940 Credit: State Archives of Florida
Lido Beach Pool and Casino, 1950 Credit: State Archives of Florida
A tourist hotel, 1910s Credit: State Archives of Florida
Glimpse of bay front, 1920s Credit: State Archives of Florida
Enjoying Lido Beach, 1947 Credit: State Archives of Florida
Sarasota Beach, 1920s Credit: State Archives of Florida
View of lower Main Street looking north from roof of Belle Haven Inn, 1886 Credit: State Archives of Florida
Water skiing on Sarasota Bay, 1962 Credit: State Archives of Florida
Longmire Apartments, 1920s Credit: State Archives of Florida
Audience watching trapeze artist, 1966 Credit: State Archives of Florida
A sailboat moored at a dock in Sarasota Bay, 1895 Credit: State Archives of Florida
Baptists posed together at The Inn, 1894 Credit: State Archives of Florida
Tin Can Tourists convention at Payne Park, 1936Related: Tin can tourism: How Florida became a mobile-home paradise Credit: State Archives of Florida