Bud Holman: The Visionary Behind Vero Beach’s Dodgertown and Aviation Legacy - Vero Vine

Bud Holman, born in 1900 in Kentucky, played a transformative role in Vero Beach, Florida. His vision, particularly in aviation and sports, shaped the town’s trajectory and identity. Holman first arrived in Vero Beach in 1925, where he opened a Cadillac dealership with his wife, Dora Belle. His enterprising spirit quickly led him to broader ambitions for the town. In the late 1920s, he worked tirelessly to establish the Vero Beach Airport, securing support from B.F. Goodrich’s president, James Tew, to build what would be known as the Vero Beach Silvertown Airport, named after Goodrich’s tire line.

--> Join the conversation in Vero Beach Foodie and 41,600 very active members right now! <--

Holman’s passion extended to aviation and eventually to baseball. During WWII, the U.S. Navy took over the Vero Beach airport as a Naval Air Station, filling the town with young military aviators. When the Navy returned the land to the city post-war, Holman saw potential for a significant project. He and then-Mayor Merrill Barber pitched the site to the Brooklyn Dodgers as a spring training ground, establishing what would famously become “Dodgertown” in 1948. This facility was dedicated in 1953 as Holman Stadium, in recognition of his contributions.

In addition to his contributions to Vero Beach’s infrastructure and sports reputation, Holman expanded into ranching and citrus farming, helping diversify the local economy. The Holman family remains an enduring presence in Vero Beach, where his legacy in aviation and sports, highlighted by Dodgertown, has cemented him as a pioneering figure in the city’s history.

Sources

Rushworth, Teresa Lee. “The Holman Legacy: From Bud To Bump.” Vero Beach Magazine, July 7, 2011. https://verobeachmagazine.com.
Begley, Janet. “Holman Family Left Its Mark on Vero Beach by Land and Air.” TCPalm. Vero Beach Centennial Special Feature. https://tcpalm.com.

Author
Recent Posts

Tiffany Bent

Editor at Vero Vine

Tiffany is originally from Winchester, VA, and she's now part of the vibrant Vero Beach community. She's super passionate about marketing and can't wait to bring her skills to Vero Vine. When she's not diving into marketing projects, you'll often find her in the gym, where she's a dedicated powerlifter and can lift more than most guys—pretty impressive, right? Tiffany also loves exploring new cities and is always up for an adventure.