Support high for planned Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard

Headlines through the years

By Compiled by EILEEN SCHULTE

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 17, 2000

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.

May 15, 1924:

CLEARWATER -- Many inquiries are being made in regard to the planned Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. For the information of those who have asked many questions about the proposed road east of Clearwater to Old Tampa Bay, it may be stated that a petition, bearing the names of many property owners, has been presented to the board of county commissions and will be considered by them at their next meeting.

There seems to be no doubt now that the movement will carry with it a demand for construction of a causeway from the foot of Cleveland Street to Clearwater Key, and a road extending up the shore of Old Tampa Bay from the end of the cross-county boulevard at Bayview to Safety Harbor.

If this movement goes through, which now appears certain, it will result in one of the largest real estate booms and growth to have occurred in this state.

The tendency of the times is plainly shown in a preference for the west coast of Florida by capitalists and winter visitors in general.

May 13, 1922: Prominent citizen dies while on cruise

Capt. Belfield B. Bradley, prominent citizen of Tarpon Springs, died of heart failure this afternoon while en route to Boca Grande on board the cruiser Tigress.

The body was brought to Bayboro Pier and was taken in charge by the Endicott Funeral Co.

Bradley, 66, had started on a two-week cruise with his son, Ferdinand Bradley, who acted as skipper for his father and his father's wife, Mrs. Isabella Bradley.

May 14, 1924: Inmate buried after suicide in jail

CLEARWATER -- The body of P.L. Smith, who committed suicide while an inmate of the county jail, was buried in the Clearwater cemetery just before sundown last week.

Smith was accused of having represented himself as the manager for Jack Dempsey, the fighter, in St. Petersburg, and of securing money by means of a bad check.

He claimed to have been the victim of circumstances and bitterly asserted that he could not wait in jail for his trial.

Had he not taken his life, he might have been liberated when the other prisoners escaped on Thursday night.

May 14, 1924: Deep-sea snapper boat being outfitted

CLEARWATER -- Another new industry is being established in Clearwater, or rather in the yard of this city, which is the Gulf of Mexico.

Earl G. Martin, head of the Clearwater Fish Company, is putting into commission today a large auxiliary fishing craft which will go out within a day or so for red snapper. Capt. John Wick has been busy for weeks getting this boat into commission. It will be in command of Capt. Will Bolger, who intends to make a business of fishing for snapper.

The boat has been remodeled for deep-sea work with flush deck and everything under hatches except for a self-bailing cockpit aft, enabling it to survive in a heavy sea.

Greek fishermen have gone out from Clearwater for snapper, but this new craft is believed to be the first one especially fitted for this work by an American.

-- The history column is compiled by Eileen Schulte. She can be reached at (727) 445-4229.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.