Headlines through the years

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.

Compiled by CHRISTINE GRAEF

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 19, 2000

Agent: Pinellas fruit untainted by arsenic

CLEARWATER -- E.H. Hurlebaus, county agricultural agent, stated today that the use of arsenic sprays on citrus fruits had not been practiced in Pinellas County, as far as he had knowledge.

The question came up through an announcement made in Tampa on Saturday by Ellis Woodworth, state fruit inspector.

He declared in a startling speech that the use of arsenic sprays makes citrus fruit practically worthless and is a menace to the citrus industry in Florida.

Nov. 3, 1926

Union blocks Legion band concerts

CLEARWATER -- Arrangements for concerts to be given by the Royal Poinciana band of the American Legion in Largo this winter are being opposed by the musicians union, according to a letter from Harold Tucker of the musicians union.

This opposition will probably end the plans in the citrus city.

The Royal Poinciana band will, however, play two concerts each month during the tourist season at Safety Harbor.

This schedule was arranged after the concert last Sunday at Espiritu Santo Springs.

An offering is to be taken up at each of these concerts and the money thus raised will be used to purchase uniforms and to help toward expenses of the projected trip to Paris next year to attend the Legion convention.

Nov. 8, 1934

Development of cemetery put off

CLEARWATER -- Heavy cost of drainage is given as the reason for the City Commission's decision not to undertake immediate development of the new cemetery tract of 40 acres lying east of the present cemetery on Lakeview street, given to the city for cemetery purposes by H.W. Clark, winter resident from North Adams, Mass.

Addition to the present cemetery will be made by annexing ground lying to the west, across Myrtle Avenue, it was decided at Tuesday night's commission meeting. Part of this plot is owned by the city and the remainder will be foreclosed on for unpaid taxes.

Nov. 8, 1934

Paving project is progressing

CLEARWATER -- Great progress is now being made on the repaving of S Fort Harrison Avenue. Laying the rock base has now reached the block in which the Fort Harrison Hotel and the Gray Moss Inn are located and the work is going forward with a rush.

Word had gone out that operations were to go on uninterruptedly, night and day, for 24 hours, when something happened. The tractor got hold of an electric cable that ran under the avenue and tore it in two. Electricians from the fire department were notified. It was found to be too dangerous to attempt to repair the "hot wire" at night, so work was interrupted until this morning.

Men in charge of the paving said today that the rock surface would all be laid before the end of the week and Fort Harrison Avenue from Cleveland street south to Jefferson will then be a broad, smooth boulevard of white rock.

- The history column is by Christine Graef. She can be reached at (727) 445-4229.

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