Venice Bombing Range

In the early part of World War II the United States leased 2,560 acres of unimproved land for use as a U.S. Army Air Corps aerial practice bomb range associated with the Sarasota Army Air Field. The target, in Sarasota County south of US Highway 41 and about four miles east of Venice, consisted of three concentric rings with a hexagonal warning line outside of the circles. The air crews practiced low-level dive bombing, dropping miniature practice bombs at altitudes of 1,500 to 2,500 feet above the target. Munitions used may have also included six pound incendiary bombs.

The property was declared surplus in 1946. The leases were terminated in June 1946 and the land was returned to the owners. The land is now privately owned, and a portion of it has been developed into a residential community. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is conducting a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study to determine if anything remains in the area from the Army's training, and if so, in what amounts and locations.

RECOGNIZE - The object you found could be dangerous.
RETREAT - Leave the area without touching or moving the object.
REPORT - Call 911 immediately.