St. Petersburg Property Waves to Culture and Sun

From THSHomeSearch.com

Saint Petersburg
St. Petersburg Property Waves to Culture and Sun
By THS Home Search

Nicknamed "The Sunshine City," St. Petersburg, Florida is a popular tourist and retirement destination. St. Petersburg is the second largest city (pop. 255,000) in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metropolitan area, which is composed of roughly 2.6 million residents.

Located in the southern tip of Pinellas County real estate on a peninsula between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, St. Petersburg real estate is connected to the mainland to the north via property in Clearwater. It connects to Tampa, Florida real estate to the east by causeways and bridges across Tampa Bay, and to Bradenton, Florida real estate in the south by the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, which actually traverses the entire mouth of the bay. Many people can afford to enjoy the executive homes for sale in St. Petersburg and waterfront properties for sale in St. Petersburg. Others prefer condos in St. Petersburg and second homes in St. Petersburg with easy upkeep and timeshare value. Regardless, everyone enjoys the incredible Florida beaches and 360 days of sunshine.

Home to Caladesi Beach, America’s #2 beach in 2006 and to Fort De Soto Park, America’s #1 beach in 2005, and to 35 miles of white-sand beaches on some eight major barrier islands, the city is also fairly close to many popular Florida attractions such as Busch Gardens in Tampa, Walt Disney World Resort, Sea World and Universal Studios.

Award-winning shores may beckon you to Florida's beaches, but the unique cultural heritage, unlimited sporting and recreational activities, fresh seafood and great shopping make it hard to leave. There are world-renowned museums and lots of family fun. The wonderful art collections displayed during art walks, in museums, and in boutique shops tell their own tales about the area. The natural adventures within a pristine park system will give you a glimpse of the exotic wildlife and myriad species of birds. Water adventures abound! Swim, surf, snorkel, sunbathe, sing with the seagulls or sail out to catch a saltwater fish. Many prefer frolicking on the rolling waves of a heavenly golf green.

To top it off, sample the splendid morsels at a fine or eclectic bistro and maybe some major league baseball, football or hockey.

Co-founded by John C. Williams, formerly of Detroit, Michigan, who purchased the land in 1876, and by Peter Demens, who was instrumental in bringing the terminus of a railroad there in 1888, St. Petersburg incorporated 1892. After the two gentlemen flipped a coin to see who would have the honor of naming the city, it was named after Saint Petersburg, Russia, the birthplace of Mr. Demens, while Mr. Williams named the first hotel, the Detroit Hotel, after his birthplace. It still exists today.

The city's first major industry, Hibbs Fish Company, shipped a thousand pounds of fish a day. Dredging of a shipping channel from 1906 to 1908 opened St. Petersburg to larger shipping, bigger ports and a growing population. Airplane service across Tampa Bay started with Tony Jannus’ “Airboat Line,” the first commercial airline. (Be sure to check out Jannus Landing on Central Avenue in Downtown.) The opening of Gandy Bridge across the Bay allowed automobile traffic between the two cities. By the 1980s, the population had leveled off and has grown by only 10,000 since then, primarily as a result of being "built-out".

Ever since it opened in 1899, The Pier downtown has been a center of life for the city. The inverted pyramid that makes up the five-story structure is easy to spot. Year-round entertainment, festivals and special events attract people from far and wide but The Pier a "must see" any day.