St. Petersburg, Florida's BAYART MAGAZINE  by Bill Watts
  • Home
  • watts up?
  • that's news to me...
  • John Bethell
  • 1908 St. Pete
  • fountain of youth pier
    • Tomlinson
  • Orangebelt railroad pier
    • acl railroad pier
    • Brantley pier and bathing pavillion>
      • Brantley obituary
    • electric pier
    • Municipal recreation pier
    • Favorite Line pier
    • million dollar pier
    • 70's pier
  • Mother of St. Petersburg
  • Shell fence
  • 6th Avenue
  • shoreline
  • sell fish

The Orangebelt railroad and the Hotel Detroit arrive in St. Petersburg around the same time

Picture
.This may be the earliest photo of the Orangebelt railroad station showing the Hotel Detroit in the background as it looked when Mrs. Williams arrived in St. Petersburg.

From the beloved Evening Independent Dec. 15, 1917...

Picture
     Mrs. Sarah Armistead, who was generally known as the "Mother of St. Petersburg," died this morning in Detroit, Mich. at the home of her son, R.C.M. Judge. Mrs. Armistead was the wife of General John C. Williams, the founder of St. Petersburg. She came to Florida with him in 1886 and made her home in
St. Petersburg in 1890. Mrs. Armistead had been in Detroit since June.

Detroit Hotel clearly longest running business in St. Pete

Picture
     The Hotel Detroit can be seen is this postcard above, circa 1906, very much like it  was built in 1888. At right as it looks today. Not much grandeur is left.

Picture

Old Williams Home undergoes renovations at USF

Picture
     Seen here as the Hotel Manhatten in 1909,  and above, as it looks today on
St. Petersburg's USF campus. (click on photos to enlarge)


Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.