Headlines through the years

By JULIE CHURCH

© St. Petersburg Times,
published July 22, 2001

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.

July 9, 1927

Countywide group will seek inland channel

A Pinellas County transportation congress, with representation from St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Largo and other cities and towns will be held in the near future to consider every phase of water and rail movement of freight and passengers in the territory.

The congress will discuss a plan to urge the U.S. government to dredge a channel 100 feet wide and 8 feet deep from the north Clearwater channel south through the "narrows" at Indian Rocks and Boca Ciega Bay to the southernmost tip of the county at Pinellas Point.

The plan will also include a similar channel from Clearwater's big pass out to the Gulf of Mexico.

Such an inland water channel would provide a route for protected transportation all the way from Clearwater to Tampa Bay, with open leads to the Gulf of Mexico at both the northern and southern outlets of the inland waterway.

July 31, 1927

Causeway costs about $832,000

CLEARWATER -- The new causeway spanning Clearwater Harbor cost about $832,000, it was revealed today from figures distributed at city hall.

This sum does not include dredging done at the foot of Cleveland street, installation of streets on Clearwater Island or additional miscellaneous construction to be finished by Ward Latham Co. These items will amount to about $75,000, it was said.

Funds for the construction were derived from a $998,000 bond issue voted several years ago by Road and Bridge District No. 6 and an additional bond issue of $410,000 approved by the city when it took over the causeway for completion last year.

The asphalt for the Cleveland Street approach to the new causeway will probably be spread starting next Thursday, said Clearwater's city engineer. It will be paved one half at a time to keep the road open for traffic to the beach.

July 22, 1927

Doctors take charge of Tarpon hospital

TARPON SPRINGS -- The Tarpon Springs Hospital, now complete in every detail and fully equipped with wards and operating rooms, was offered to the physicians of the city at a recent meeting of the board of city commissioners for them to run for a period of one year. During that year, the city would guarantee them up to $500 a month against a deficit.

July 7, 1960

280-house development planned

CLEARWATER -- Builders will launch a 280-house development this fall on acreage recently purchased on U.S. 19, one-half mile south of Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. Eventually, the frontage of the tract on the west side of the highway south of Clearwater will become a shopping center.

The land was purchased by Tropic Hills Inc. from S.A. Dallgaard. About 64 acres was deeded for $299,400 and a corporation spokesman said the total deed, including 13 additional acres of retail frontage, will amount to $332,500.

- Julie Church compiles the history column. She can be reached at (727) 445-4229.

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