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Take a walk through history

For $5, you can learn about the city's architecture.

By SANDEE DAVIES
Published April 1, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - In the first 50 years of the 20th century, the city of St. Petersburg was booming.

A wide variety of architectural structures ranging from frame garage apartments to grand Gothic Revival churches were built to serve and impress winter visitors. This dedication to the tourist industry transformed St. Petersburg from a fishing village into a well-established tourist destination.

The downtown district became home to a unique community of full- and part-time residents and seasonal tourists.

On Saturday, St. Petersburg Preservation will hold a walking tour to highlight some city landmarks, including the Vinoy Hotel, Snell building, Open Air Post Office, Princess Martha Hotel, St. Peter's Cathedral, City Hall, Mirror Lake Library, St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club, Coliseum and Flori-de-Leon Apartments.

There are about 356 contributing buildings, structures and objects in the 320-acre district that have been identified as significant. To be recognized they must be more than 50 years old and retain enough of their original appearance to contribute to the character of the district.

The Downtown St. Petersburg Historic District was added to the National Historic registry in 2004. It is one of five city districts recognized in the areas of architecture, commerce, community planning, entertainment, education, politics and government. The area was developed between 1888 and 1950.

01 Today

Cartoons, Comedy And Compassion: Dan Piraro, creator of the newspaper cartoon Bizarro, presents a multi-media comedic overview of his career and the world at large, 6 p.m. Octagon Arts Center at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Clearwater, 2470 Nursery Road, Clearwater. Proceeds benefit Florida Voices for Animals. $6.50, $3.50 students. Call (813) 600-6949.

Sunday Musicale: The Clam Bayou Jazz Band performs, 3 p.m., Seminole Library, 9200 113th St. N. Free. Call 394-6905

03 Tuesday

Manage Your Money, Build Your Wealth: Free series of presentations that will help you set goals, save more, reduce debt and make wise use of credit and loans, 6-9 p.m. today and April 10, Pinellas County Extension, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. Participants must attend both presentations. Registration required. Call 582-2673 to register; for information, call 582-2113.

04 Wednesday

Obedience Basics: Six weeks of one-hour classes to help you and your canine better understand each other, 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays through May 9, SPCA of Pinellas County, 9099 130th Ave. N, Largo. Dogs must be current on vaccinations. $45 for SPCA adopters, $65 for the public. Also at 7 p.m. Thursdays, April 12-May 17 and Saturdays 9:30 a.m. April 28-June 2. Register online at www.SPCAFL.org or call 586-3591.

06 Friday

Get Downtown: First Friday Street party featuring Shawn Brown and Mike MacArthur Band 5:30-10 p.m., Central Avenue between Second and Third streets. Proceeds from beer and wine street sales benefit Raymond James Optimist Club. Free. Call 393-3597.

07 Saturday

Library Book Sale: Huge sale at bargain prices including novels, biographies, videos, children's books and more, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Indian Rocks Beach City Auditorium, 1507 Bay Palm Blvd. Proceeds fund library activities. Call 596-1822.

If you go

Put on your sneakers

What: About a 2-mile walking tour of 31 historical structures and history on many that have been torn down.

When: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday.

Where: Participants meet at Williams Park fountain, Fourth Street and First Avenue N in the heart of the district.

Details: Cost is $5. Call 824-7802 for information. No reservations needed. Check the Web for information at www.stpetepreservation.org.

[Last modified March 31, 2007, 20:25:47]