 During World War II, the auditorium served as the Army and Navy Club and was the preferred venue for hosted dances, graduations, and concerts.The Florida West Coast Symphony (now the Sarasota Orchestra) performed in the facility from its inception in 1949 until the 1969 opening of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall that was constructed at the bay front of the same large public parcel.The building has a barrel vaulted roof.