The recent history of our little corner of the world is one of colorful personalities, some going back close to 100 years!
Our barrier island beach communities developed over the past century thanks to fishing guides, hoteliers, real estate developers and realtors. Some of their names can still be seen attached to city parks, such as Upham Beach, Hurley Park in Pass-a-Grille and Horan Park by the St. Pete Beach Recreation Center.
There are also landmarks such as Corey Avenue and Corey Causeway in St. Pete Beach, and much can also be learned from books.
These include a brand new, recently released one written by Tierra Verde author Dennis Whelan, “The Pinellas Puzzle,” that adds a wealth of historic detail about the development of Tierra Verde, Mullet Key, and the New Uplands of Lower Boca Ciega Bay. This new book is available in Kindle form ($2.99) or paperback ($15) from Amazon and would make a great gift for locals interested in history of the area we call Paradise. Dennis lives with wife Patricia, and moved here from Long Branch, NJ.
Frank T. Hurley Jr., recently departed Pass-a-Grille realtor and historian, wrote two books. The first, “Surf, Sand and Postcard Sunsets,” is subtitled A History of Pass-a-Grille and the Gulf Beaches. His sequel, “Pass-a-GrilleVignettes: Times Past Tales Remembered,” is a compilation of original stories Frank wrote for the Pass-a-Grille newsletter Grille Bits, which was created and published for 8 years as a volunteer by Paradise NEWS founder Renee Roos.
Roberta Lamb Whipple, St. Pete Beach Library director for many years, was raised on the beach. Her dad owned Lamb’s Pharmacy in the Corey area when she was young. She authored “St. Pete Beach’s Corey Avenue,”one of Arcadia Publishing Company’s Images of America Series.
Other local books in this series include“St. Petersburg, The Sunshine City“ and “Tampa Bay’s Gulf Beaches,” both by local columnist Wayne Ayers.
Landmarks Honor Contributors
Upham Beach at the north end of St. Pete Beach was named for the Upham family. In 1936, the area between the present site of the Beach Theater and the end of the Corey Causeway was mangrove swamp. It occurred to The Upham Company, sales agents for the International Realty Associates and the First National Bank of Tampa, that an attractive approach to the beaches as well as a desirable business section could be developed by improving what is now the Corey Avenue district. They tried to convince the property owners, who turned down the proposal, and Upham decided to do it for their own account. They bought the lots fronting Corey Avenue, filled the swamp, and paved the street. They also built the first Upham Building that was quickly occupied by local businesses. An Upham block still stands, with new local businesses and restaurants.
The opening of Corey Avenue and its official dedication took place on February 13, 1937, with a mass celebration and motorcade. Speeches were made by Mayor Smith of St. Petersburg, Mayor Deacon of Pass-a-Grille, heads of both the Gulf Beach and St. Petersburg chambers of commerce, and Mrs. William L. Edison, daughter-in-law of the famous inventor. Also, Mrs. Jack Corey for whose husband – head of another pioneer family and former councilman – the causeway is named. Corey was one of the most forward-thinking and civic-minded local politicians who saw the future opportunities for this area.
Hurley Park in Pass-a-Grille is named after the late Col. Frank T. Hurley Sr., who started Hurley & Associates realtors in Pass-a-Grille when he bought out the former owners in the 1930s. He was involved in many civic activities until his death in 1966. He was succeeded by son Frank T. Hurley Jr., joined by brother Ken and his son, Sean, who runs the business today.
You can enjoy the view of the Intracoastal Waterway from beautiful waterfront Horan Park, adjacent to the St. Pete Beach Community Center. The site hosts the annual October Friday night Concert Series, major festivals, fundraisers and other civic events. The park is named after Colonel Michael J. Horan Sr., the mayor of St. Pete Beach from 1992 to 1996. He served 26 years with the U.S. Army’s 1st Calvary Division, moving here in 1973. He was the owner of Horan Realty and was very active in all civic affairs.
Local Museums Add to History
The Pinellas County-owned Gulf Beaches Historical Museum on 9th Avenue in Pass-a-Grille is housed in the island’s first church, near what was “downtown Pass-a-Grille” before four cities merged in 1957 to form St. Petersburg Beach, later shortened to St. Pete Beach. How the church was saved from destruction to become the museum is a barrier island story worth asking about. The county had considered relocating the museum to join a growing community of rescued buildings in Largo at Heritage Park with an eye toward protecting the collection from storm surge. A move was not feasible, and now the collection is being digitized, which will protect, preserve and allow for sharing online in the near future. The Museum is totally run by volunteers. For more details, gulfbeachesmuseum.com.
Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum opened several years ago at 2290 9th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, as a living testament to the late father of Black History Month (1875-1950). The son of former slaves established the Association for the Study of Negro Life in 1915 and next year, the Journal of Negro History, began quarterly publication. In 1926, Woodson proposed and launched the annual February observance of “Negro History Week,” which became “Black History Month” in 1976. The Museum is dedicated to preserve, present, and interpret African American history and to engage a broad and diverse audience through these activities. Also, to promote an understanding among various groups that comprise the St. Petersburg community. And to enhance our ability as a society to respect, value diversity, and foster equal rights and social justice. For information, online at woodsonmuseum.org.
For more than 100 years, the St. Petersburg Museum of History at the foot of the new St. Pete Pier District at the downtown waterfront has been an exhibit of history itself. The Museum has, over the years, played host to many of the city’s and the county’s archives. Visitors can relish in the rich heritage of the founding of St. Pete, from the very groundbreaking activities for the Orange Belt railroad to the establishment of the Women’s Town Improvement League. It has a replica of the Benoist XIV biplane seaplane that Tony Jannus flew between St. Petersburg and Tampa, ushering in commercial flight on Jan. 1, 1914. It also hosts “Little Cooperstown,” with more than 3,000 signed baseballs by many of the top players, and also takes baseball fans to the inaugural season of the Tampa Bay Rays. After closing down for Pier District construction, the Museum officially reopened on July 7. For more information, spmoh.com
The Gulfport History Museum opened in 1985 and is located at 5301 28th Ave. South, operated by the all-volunteer Gulfport Historical Society, with generous financial and moral support from the City. Admission to the collection is free, except for special fundraising events. Visitors can research the history of their home, view the extensive photo collection, research Gulfport families, view the current exhibits, and browse the Square Mullet gift shop, which includes a micro-niche Florida bookstore. It features authors like Gary Mormino, Jack Davis, Arin Greenwood, Jon Kile, and Michael Taylor – as well as many others. The Museum offers free wifi and water and encourages people to come and learn more about Gulfport’s history. It is also a gathering place for the community, and welcomes writers, readers, or people who would just like to chat with others and also welcomes dogs and well-behaved children The Museum plans to reopen with the state’s Phase 3 options, with more information available at gulfporthistoricalsociety.org
[Editor’s Note: special thanks to local Tampa Bay Times archives, Gulf Beaches Historical Museum, Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, St. Petersburg Museum of History and the Gulfport Historical Society for their excellent input and information.]
[Steve Traiman is President of Creative Copy by Steve Traiman, St. Pete Beach, providing business writing services at traimancreativecopy@gmail.com or by phone to 727-363-7531.]