BJ Palmer’s Sarasota house

By: Dr Kenneth Young DC, DACBR, MAppSc (Medical Imaging)

BJ Palmer’s Sarasota house

There is a law in America that requires everyone living in the Northeast or Midwest of the country to retire to Florida.

Being good citizens, my parents did this, choosing Sarasota as their new home in the early 2000s. At the time, I did not realise that this was where BJ Palmer spent many of his winters, eventually retiring there as well. I probably should have, since his main home was in Iowa, which is in the Midwest. I guess he was a good citizen, too.

There were many other things I did not realise about Sarasota. It is an artist community. The white sand at Siesta beach is like flour. There are mangroves, where manatees (sort of like dugongs) live. Jerry Springer and Stephen King have homes there. I met Jerry Springer in the Tampa airport once, but that’s another story. Sarasota was also the winter home of Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus. And so we circle back to BJ Palmer. BJ was a huge circus fan. He never charged circus people for treatments.

His home is owned by a not-for-profit foundation now, who maintain it much as BJ had it when he died in 1961. It is full of artefacts, and you can have a private tour if you are in the area. Since I happened to find myself in the area quite a bit visiting my parents, I have toured it a couple of times. I thought I would share some of those photos and thoughts with you.

One of the destinations in Sarasota is St Armand’s Circle on St Armand’s Key. Key, in Florida-speak, means island. The Circle is full of shops and restaurants and is a great place to have a coffee and watch the cosmetic

surgeons’ work go by. BJ’s house is just a short walk off the Circle. Here is the exterior in 2012 (Fig. 1) and 2005 (Fig. 2 – pre-renovation). It certainly looks much happier since the restoration.

Fig 1- Exterior in 2012 with BJ Palmer name plaque

Fig 2 – Exterior in 2005, pre-renovation

Like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the house has prints memorialised in concrete. You can see BJ’s signature, shoe-prints and footprints. (Fig. 3) Why no hand prints? That one has me baffled.

Fig 3 – BJ’s signature, shoe prints and footprints

The house is on a waterway; this is the backyard. Not too bad, eh? (Fig. 4)

Fig 4 – The backyard

It starts to get a little creepy now. BJ’s bedroom with his death bed and memorial sign. (Figs. 5 and 6)

Fig 5 – BJ’s bedroom with his death-bed

Fig 6 – The death-bed with commemorative sign

The living room, painted in circus colours. Notice the planters designed to look like hands. The sign to the left of the fireplace says “No opium smoking.” What kind of parties did this guy throw?

Fig 7 – Fireplace in living room with photos

The living room furniture. (Fig. 8) Although the official website describes the living room as “vast,” I’m not so sure. But those chairs definitely look comfy.

Fig 8 – Living room

One of the worst possible photographs of the copy of the letter from Samuel Weed to DD Palmer naming chiropractic. You’re welcome. (Fig. 9)

Fig 9 – Copy of letter naming chiropractic

A letter, original, from Hollywood director Cecil B DeMille to BJ, thanking him for promoting his latest picture, “The Greatest Show on Earth” on BJ’s Davenport radio station. (Fig. 10) I wonder if the movie is available for streaming?

Fig 10 – Letter from Cecil B. DeMille

BJ’s Sarasota house is a fascinating place and I feel very privileged to have been able to look round. I recommend a visit if you get the opportunity. You can find out more at https://www.bjph.org.

Kenneth Young is the curator for the Chiropractic History Special Collection at Murdoch University. It can be seen here: https://www.murdoch. edu.au/library/resources-collections/ special-collections/chiropractichistory-collection, or search ‘special collections’ on the main university website, www.murdoch.edu.au. If you would like to comment on this article, or for further information on the Special Collection, or to discuss making a donation of time, money, or documents or other items, please contact Ken at k.young@murdoch. edu.au or on (08)93607370.