St. Petersburg, FL Area Guide
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida and is known as a vacation destination for North American and European vacationers. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 248,232. By the 2007 Census the population of St. Petersburg had increased to 249,079. St. Petersburg is now the fourth largest city in the state of Florida and the largest city in Florida that is not a county seat. St. Petersburg is the second largest city in the Tampa Bay Area, which is composed of roughly 2.7 million residents, making it the second largest Metropolitan Statistical Area in the state.
The city is commonly referred to by locals as "St. Pete"; neighboring St. Pete Beach, Florida formally shortened its name in 1994 after a vote by its residents. St. Petersburg is located on a peninsula between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. With a purported average of some 360 days of sunshine each year, it is nicknamed "The Sunshine City." For that reason, the city is a popular tourist and retirement destination, especially for those in the United States from colder Northern climates – particularly New York City, Detroit, and Chicago. However, in recent years the population has shifted in a more youthful direction. Learn more about St. Petersburg by visiting their official website at: http://stpete.com
History
The city was co-founded by John C. Williams, formerly of Detroit, Michigan, who purchased the land in 1876, and by Peter Demens, who was instrumental in bringing the terminus of a railroad there in 1888. St. Petersburg was incorporated on February 29, 1892, when it had a population of only some 300 people.
It was named after Saint Petersburg, Russia, where Peter Demens had spent half of his youth. A local legend says that John C. Williams and Peter Demens flipped a coin to see who would have the honor of naming the city.Peter Demens won and named the city after his birthplace, while John C. Williams named the first hotel after his birthplace, Detroit . The Detroit Hotel still exists downtown, but has been turned into a condominium. The oldest running hotels are the historic Pier Hotel, built in 1921, formally Hotel Cordova and The Heritage Hotel, built in 1926.
Philadelphia publisher F. A. Davis turned on St. Petersburg's first electrical service in 1897 and its first trolley service in 1904. The city's first major industry was born in 1899 when Henry W. Hibbs, 1862-1942, a native of Newport, North Carolina, established his wholesale fish business at the end of the railroad pier, which extended out to the shipping channel. Within a year, Hibbs Fish Company was shipping more than a thousand pounds (454 kg) of fish each day.
Central Avenue in c. 1910Dredging of a deeper shipping channel from 1906 to 1908 opened St. Petersburg to larger shipping. Further dredging improved the port facilities through the 1910s. By then the city's population had quadrupled to 4,127.
In 1914, airplane service across Tampa Bay from St. Petersburg to Tampa and back was initiated, generally considered the first commercial airline. The company name was the "St. Petersburg–Tampa Airboat Line" and the pilot was Tony Jannus, flying a Benoist XIV flying boat. The Tony Jannus Award is presented annually for outstanding achievement in the airline industry. Jannus Landing, a local music/entertainment venue on Central Avenue in Downtown, is also named after him.
The city population continued to multiply during the twentieth century. Booming in the 1940s and 50s with the advent of air-conditioning[citation needed] and through the 1970s as the town became a popular retirement destination for Americans from midwestern cities, reaching 238,647 in the 1980 census. By that time, however, the population had levelled off, and has grown by only 10,000 since then; this is primarily a result of the city being largely "built-out". For this information and more on St. Petersburg’s rich history, please visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Petersburg,_Florida.
Attractions
St. Petersburg offers an unequaled environment for work and play. Wonderful weather and miles of sandy beaches, a relatively low cost of living, agreeable taxes and progressive employment opportunities draw people to the area from around the nation and the world. Add to these amenities quality schools, colleges and universities, top-notch health care, affordable housing, and outstanding arts and recreational facilities, and it is easy to see why we are so attractive to new residents and visitors alike. Observe astounding art and discover our diverse heritage. Opt for theme park thrills or natural adventures within our pristine park system. Relax on the green, on the water, or shop and dine amid boutiques and bistros, both fine and eclectic. Learn more about St. Peter’s attractions by visiting: http://www.floridasbeach.com/cms/index.php?id=37
Parks & Recreation
Residents and visitors alike can enjoy more than 2,300 acres of public land dedicated to parks and recreation in 137 parks. Or, just stroll along the renowned St. Petersburg waterfront and enjoy what makes our city a great place to live, work, play or visit. Our parks include fitness trails; picnic parks; playground areas; dog parks; skate parks; athletic fields, and beach areas.
St. Petersburg's parks give children a chance to learn those life lessons, to experience success early, and to dream big. Parks build future leaders by giving youth the opportunity to lead. St. Petersburg parks offer the perfect venue for community and regional events, tournaments, concerts, exhibitions, food festivals that draw visitors into the community. St. Petersburg's parks offer a wide range of free and low-cost opportunities to get out and play. Find out this and more by visiting: http://www.stpete.org/parks/index.asp.
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