A look back at the events, people and places that made North Pinellas the unique place that it is. The information is compiled from past editions of the St. Petersburg Times.
By Times Staff Writer
Published January 4, 2004
Jan. 1, 1929: Clearwater rings in new year with a big blowoff
CLEARWATER - Pandemonium reigned again last night, beginning the first minute of the new year and continuing until 1 o'clock.
At the stroke of midnight, it seemed that every motor vehicle in middle Pinellas was immediately started, with its cut-out open, and the driver made all the noise he could with horn or siren.
Motorcycles were in greater haste than ever and succeeded in making racket enough to cause any of the old pirates buried around here to turn over in their graves.
Nobody seemed to object to all this until someone managed to place a siren from the fire station on his car and roar about the business section. Guests of at least two hotels and some rooming houses began to emerge from their quarters, believing the town was on fire. Shortly thereafter, this particular form of madness was stopped.
"The cold gray dawn of the morning after" was no misnomer this morning as the sun rose behind the clouds.
There is a general feeling of optimism, however, and it is believed by those who study conditions that the county capital has started on a year of prosperity. The fruit season is a good one, strawberries are ripe, the packing houses and canning plants are busy, everyone who wants to work has something to do, and the goose honks high!
Jan. 1, 1929: Hundreds bring in new year with music, dancing at Fort Harrison
CLEARWATER - Several hundred couples saw the old year out and the new year in last night at the Fort Harrison hotel. Raleigh Carrol and his Ten Carolinians furnished the music long past midnight. A merry crowd filled the roof garden and tripped the light fantastic toe through the night.
At the Joyland dance pavilion, Manager Brennan made elaborate preparations for a record New Year's Eve crowd and was not disappointed. The Florida Collegians provided music for the dancers who crowded the floor, making the evening a gala affair.
Jan. 1, 1929: Parade celebrates emancipation
TARPON SPRINGS - The 66th anniversary of the emancipation of negroes was celebrated by the members of that race in Tarpon Springs and vicinity today with a parade followed by a program at the colored school house on Wall Street.
The parade was formed at 1 o'clock at the corner of Eagle and Pine streets and moved up Eagle, west on Orange to Spring Boulevard, thence to Tarpon Avenue and south on Pinellas Avenue to Lake Street, through which it proceeded to the school house.
Big Wash McIntosh, grand marshal for the past eight years, was in that capacity again and wearing the crimson sash of officer.
Arriving at the school house, the ceremonies were under the direction of Smith Battles, while Clayton Hunter had charge of the refreshments.
Dec. 28, 1928: Belleview-Biltmore Hotel opens Jan. 7
CLEARWATER - The Belleview-Biltmore Hotel will open on Jan. 7, when the 500 rooms of the hostelry and 22 cottages on the ground will be ready for occupancy.
Few changes have been made in the personnel of the Belleview management for this season. C.A. Judkins will be in charge, as he has been for the past few years. Frank W. Regan, former manager of the Fort Harrison Hotel, will be assistant manager. Kenneth P. Kenyon will be chief clerk in place of Kenneth Eldridge. All the rest of the staff will be the same as last season.
- Theresa Blackwell compiles the history column. She can be reached at 727 445-4229 or blackwell@sptimes.com
