The city of St. Petersburg, Florida, sits at the southern tip of the Pinellas peninsula, on the western side of Tampa Bay. The city was founded in 1892, and by 1900 it had grown to a population of 1,600 people. During the 20th century, St. Petersburg became a major tourist destination on the Gulf Coast, with train service providing easy to access from the center of the United States.
Today, downtown St. Petersburg is a tale of two cities, with Central Avenue its dividing line. South of Central Avenue is an area with almost all modern buildings, mostly high-rise condos and office buildings. It is an area that has been totally built up and gentrified during the past 20 or so years. My interest has always been in more historical buildings, so, when I found a self-guided walking tour that focused on the historical buildings in the area north of Central Avenue, I jumped at the chance to explore some of the city’s past.
Central Avenue and the First Block
St. Petersburg was founded by Russian emigrant Peter Demens, owner of the Orange Belt Railroad, and Michigan native John C. Williams. Demens named the city after the place he grew up, and Williams built the first hotel, naming it The Detroit hotel, which still exists today.
Central Avenue quickly became the commercial center of St. Petersburg, and was until the movement of commerce to malls in the 1970’s and 80’s. During the past 20 years it has been reborn as a tourist and entertainment area, with restaurants, bars/clubs and shops catering to visitors and new residents in the area.
While the south side of Central Avenue has been almost totally rebuilt, its north side still has many buildings that date back close to 100 years. At the corner of 4th Street and Central Avenue is the Snell Building and Arcade. Built in 1928, the office building and commercial arcade became the anchor of the city’s business district. I highly recommend a stop at Schakolad Chocolate Factory on its first floor for great flavored mochas.
Walking on to 8th Street, I found many other buildings from the neighborhood’s past.
4th Street Churches
My walk continued north along 4th Street. At 4th Street and 1st Avenue North is the country’s only outdoor post office. Designed after the Ospedale degli Innocenti in Florence, Italy, this 1916 building has no interior lobby. Customers stand under its portico to carry out their business or to visit their mailboxes.
Walking north along 4th Street I passed several churches within 3 blocks, a couple of hotels, and even a modern brewery in a building that served as a cafeteria for most of the 20th century.
Playing Games
Walking west along 4th Avenue North, I found a remnant and still popular part of St. Petersburg history. In 1916 the St. Petersburg Lawn Bowling Club was formed, followed soon after by the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club. Today they sit side by side on 4th Avenue North, between 5th and 7th Streets, along side Mirror Lake Park.
Nuts and Bolts
- My exploration was based on a self-guided tour of St. Petersburg that I found for FREE at the St. Pete Store and Visitors Center – 100 2nd Ave. North
- St. Petersburg Lawn Bowling Club – 536 4th Ave North. Open Mon, Wed, and Fri 8:30 AM – Noon, Tue 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club – 559 Mirror Lake Drive North. Open Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday evening, all day Saturday and Sunday 9:00 AM – Noon.
