Last updated on January 2nd, 2026 at 02:42 pm
It’s hard to imagine Florida before Disney, but these photos by Sarasota photographer Joseph Janney Steinmetz may take you back in time to an Old Florida Christmas.
Steinmetz’ work appeared in many magazines, including the venerable Saturday Evening Post, Life, Look and Time. He also did work for the Florida tourism office and Sarasota-based Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus.
Steinmetz moved his family from Philadelphia to Sarasota in 1941 and photographed life there until his death in 1985.
Steinmetz photographed iconic circus clown Emmett Kelly, high-wire daredevil Karl Wallenda and choreographer George Balanchine, who in 1942 received a commission from Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus to choreograph a polka for elephants.
These images by Steinmetz were donated to the Florida Memory Project, which has digitally archived more than 180,000 photographs from the State Library and Archives of Florida. The photos are now in the public domain, a collection that is “without question the most significant photographic collection we’ve obtained,” archives supervisor Joanna Norman told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Steinmetz Family Christmas Cards
In order to appreciate the Steinmetz family Christmas cards, you have to appreciate photo technology of the time. There were no computers. Instead of images being manipulated in Photoshop, the artistry occurred in the dark room or at the artist’s easel.
Related articles
- Where to celebrate the holidays in Old Florida: Best Christmas light displays
- Cut your own Christmas tree at Ocala National Forest
- Florida’s 50 Holiday Boat Parades
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
from Florida Rambler!
From my non-ambulatory state several years ago in my hospital room through today, I look to your Posts and Website for inspiration of my next Florida adventure. Grateful for the information and of course the photos. Sarah Elise.
Love these! Thank you for the history and for posting them (and all your wonderful posts throughout the year).
Happy Holidays to You and Yours!