Discover the Sunshine City: 13 Amazing Fun Facts About St. Petersburg, Florida

1. Birthplace of Aviation and Baseball Spring Training

If you think St. Petersburg, Florida is just a sunny retirement home for baseball players and pilots, you just might be onto something: Turns out, St. Pete is the proud birthplace of both scheduled aviation and Major League Baseball Spring Training, with these grand-slamming openings taking off in 1914!
Source => stpete.org

2. World's First Scheduled Commercial Airline

Before airplanes had in-flight movies and luggage restrictions, they had just a pilot, one passenger, and a whole lot of engine noise: St. Petersburg, Florida is home to the world's first scheduled commercial airline, the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line, which soared into history on January 1, 1914, with Tony Jannus at the helm of a Benoist model 14 airboat, zipping across Tampa Bay in just 23 minutes at a top speed of 64 mph.
Source => hmdb.org

Did you know that Tampa's Ybor City is home to a unique population of feral chickens with their own dedicated society? Discover the century-old history behind these clucktastic creatures! 🐓

=> Fun Facts about Tampa

3. Salvador Dalí Museum: Art Meets Hurricane Bunker

In a twist that would have Salvador Dalí himself raising an eyebrow and asking, "Is this a museum, or a hurricane bunker?": St. Petersburg, Florida's Salvador Dalí Museum boasts a 75-foot-tall glass entryway called "Enigma," a spiral staircase encased in 1.5-inch-thick glass, all while the museum's remaining walls are made of 18-inch-thick concrete to withstand hurricane forces and host events such as performances, workshops, films, lectures, and food and drink gatherings.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Last-of-its-kind Biff Burger: A Burger Oasis

In the land where the sun pierces the clouds and the scent of flame-grilled goodness wafts through the air, there stands a mighty burger palace that has fought off the encroachment of charbroiled foes and whopper-sized invaders: The last-of-its-kind Biff Burger in St. Petersburg, Florida! Erected in 1958 as the chain's third location, it narrowly escaped the Burger King's clutches in the 1970s and has since served up mouth-watering patties mixed with a secret blend of spices and fresh meat from a local butcher, three times a week, ensuring the Biff Burger spirit remains alive and well in burger-loving hearts.
Source => visitflorida.com

5. Pink Palace: Don CeSar Hotel's Ghostly Love Story

Pink Panther's dream vacation home: The Don CeSar Hotel in St. Pete Beach, Florida, nicknamed the 'Pink Palace' due to its rosy exterior, holds a rich history along with ghostly sightings, all thanks to its founder, Thomas Rowe, and his tragic love affair with Lucinda.
Source => hauntedrooms.com

6. Oranges and Railways: The Orange Belt Railway

They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but in the case of St. Petersburg, Florida, oranges built both the town's history and its railway: The Orange Belt Railway, founded by Russian immigrant Peter Demens in 1885, was a 152-mile narrow gauge line that played a significant role in the development of several Floridian towns, including Clearwater, Dunedin, and Largo. Now, pieces of the former railway serve as recreational trails for those looking to retrace its fruitful past.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. Pipe-Whisperer's Enchanted Garden

Who says plumbers can't be wizards of the garden? In a sink-or-swim decision back in 1903, a pipe-whisperer who went by the name of George Turner Sr. made quite the splash in St. Petersburg, Florida: Whipping up his magic (and wrenches), he bought a sunken freshwater lake caused by a sinkhole, and masterfully transformed it into his very own enchanting garden. As the lake drained, Turner Sr.'s bewitching botanical wonderland emerged, cementing its place in the community's heart to this very day.
Source => medium.com

8. Splashing Hops: St. Pete's Craft Beer Scene

Forget hitting the beach, St. Petersburg, Florida's real splash is the hops and bubbles galore: A flourishing local craft beer scene with breweries like Saint Somewhere Brewing Company, Dunedin Brewery, Rapp Brewing Company, 3 Daughters Brewing, Green Bench Brewing, and Cycle Brewing calls for rowsing explorations—on top of convenient access thanks to two international airports in the St. Pete/Clearwater area.
Source => visittheusa.com

9. Waterfront Arts District: A Cultural Wonderland

In a city where Salvador Dalí's mustache enjoys its surreal retirement and art lovers waltz with waterfront wonders: St. Petersburg, Florida, boasts a Waterfront Arts District teeming with world-class museums like The Dalí Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the St. Petersburg Museum of History, along with a lively cultural scene featuring the American Stage Theatre Company, galleries, shopping, dining, nightlife, movies, and picturesque parks that host various events all year round.
Source => discoverdowntown.com

10. Grouper Sandwich Royalty: St. Petersburg's Seafood Delight

Allow me to introduce you to the Sandwich Royalty of Florida, the irresistible Highness Grouper I: reigning from the depths of the sea to the plates of St. Petersburg's foodies! The stage is set with mouthwatering anticipation: over 75% of Florida's grouper hails from Pinellas County, where St. Petersburg takes the throne as the ultimate destination for those seeking the finest grouper sandwiches in the land. Local restaurants like Buoy's Waterfront Bar & Grille, Cori's Seafood Grill, and The Galley offer their own spin on this gastronomic delight, ensuring year-round feasting on this marine marvel, thanks to the trusted hook-and-line fishing methods of the region's commercial fishermen.
Source => stpetersburgfoodies.com

11. Hamilton Disston's Swampy Saving Grace

They say laughter is the best medicine, but for Florida in the late 19th century, the real cure came in the form of a wealthy northerner buying up swampland by the bucketful: Hamilton Disston's purchase of 4-million acres of land and generous $1-million donation to the state treasury not only brought Florida back from the brink, but also led to the development of Tarpon Springs and Disston City. Although Disston City eventually fizzled out and was replaced by the more prosperous St. Petersburg, Disston Heights remains as a testament to the Disston brothers' legacy and their swampy saving grace.
Source => tampabay.com

12. Haslam's Book Store: Feline Scholars and Tome Treasures

Behold the purr-fect literary haven: a bookstore where feline scholars – Teacup, Beowulf, Tom Clancy, and Emily Dickinson – keep watch over their kingdom of tomes, delighting visitors with their whiskered wisdom and acrobatics: This legendary realm is none other than Haslam's Book Store in St. Petersburg, Florida – enthralling bookworms and cat lovers alike for nearly a century with its vast collection of literary treasures and furry, four-legged companions eager to share their cuddles and playfulness.
Source => tampabay.com

13. Shuffleboard Central: St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club

Feeling the urge to slide into geriatric sports nirvana? Strap on those trusty loafers and head to Florida's Mecca of shuffleboard shenanigans: St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club is not only the world's oldest but also the largest shuffleboard club, boasting 76 courts and over 2,000 slide-happy members. Get ready for a wild Friday night, complete with enthusiastic volunteers teaching rookies the ropes of this timeless St. Petersburg pastime!
Source => wfla.com