The Orangebelt railroad and the Hotel Detroit arrive in St. Petersburg around the same time
.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...
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
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.
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Old Williams Home undergoes renovations at USF
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) 
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