Venice: A Century on the Gulf

Author Larry Humes traces the events and characters that put Venice on the proverbial map. Venice is certainly not among the oldest cities in Florida. The fact that it even survived its rocky beginning is nothing short of remarkable. But it was luck and persistence that transformed the little City on the Gulf into one of Florida’s most sought-after destinations. Venice wouldn’t be what it is today without the Kentucky military school that saved the town from bankruptcy and the construction of an army air base that helped America win World War II while increasing the local population tenfold. And don’t forget the ＂Greatest Show on Earth,＂ which called Venice home for more than three decades.

During his four-decade-long career, Larry R. Humes worked mostly in journalism, higher education marketing and communication. He wrote for newspapers throughout Florida, served as a stringer for United Press International and was editor of the Greentree Gazette, a bimonthly national magazine targeting higher education administrators. His mystery novel, Bridge to Nowhere, was published in 1980. Since retirement, he has remained active in local history projects and gives presentations on the topic. He also writes regularly about local history for the Venice Gondolier newspaper.