History of St. Petersburg, Florida From Vintage View-Master Photographs

In this episode: Detective work to find a photo location; History of Child’s Pharmacy; The Snell Arcade; A Salt-Water Taffy Tycoon; Mirror Lake; Origin of “Sunshine City”; John Lodwick’s Advertising Campaigns; City Founding; The Pier Wars; Racism in St. Petersburg
Today's adventure takes us back to the enchanting year of 1949 in St. Petersburg, Florida, as we unravel the mysteries behind reel SP-9037.
Our quest begins with a mission to locate four vintage picture-perfect spots. Armed with only a modern map and a keen sense of detective work, we embark on a journey to find "The Famous Green Benches," captured in 1949. The challenge intensifies as we decipher clues from postcards, street lamps, and distinct sidewalk tiles. The trail leads us to the Annual Festival of the States, a vibrant celebration that adds another layer of history to our exploration.
As we trace the steps of the View Master photographer, we stumble upon the legacy of Childs Pharmacy. Delving into the past, we uncover tales of Harry W. Childs, a World War I veteran turned pharmacist, whose pharmacy once stood at 337 Central Ave. The disappointment of not finding the original green benches is replaced by a deeper connection to the city's history, resonating with stories of family, changes, and the passage of time.
Our adventure continues to the iconic Snell Arcade, witnessing the clash between preservation and modification throughout the years. The Snell Arcade, a testament to the city's boom and bust, now stands as a reminder of its eclectic architectural past. As we explore, we unravel the origins of St. Pete's famed "green benches," tied to salt-water-taffy tycoon Noel Mitchell and his unique approach to city benches.
Next on our itinerary is Mirror Lake, a serene location with a history reminiscent of MacArthur Park in Los Angeles. Despite construction hindrances, we reflect on the transformation of city reservoirs into public parks, drawing parallels between two distant cities and their evolving landscapes.
St. Petersburg's nickname, the "Sunshine City," echoes in our minds as we stroll through the streets. A delve into its promotional history reveals the inventive strategies of John Lodwick, the city's first public relations director, who shaped its image and earned it the moniker "The City that Advertising Built."
Our journey concludes at the historic pier, tracing its evolution from the Railroad Pier to the Million Dollar Pier, and its eventual demolition in 1967. We witness the unveiling of the inverted pyramid pier in 1973 and the recent opening of the new pier in 2020. However, the shadows of segregation linger, as we learn about discriminatory beach policies that persisted even after legal challenges.
The famous green benches, once exclusive, now hold a complex legacy. While some were removed in the '60s, a few endure, serving as a silent reminder of the city's past. Our adventure ends with a glimpse of the "Beautiful Sunken Gardens," leaving us eagerly anticipating the next episode of View Master Travels. Until then, fellow adventurers, keep exploring and uncovering the hidden tales of our world!
Video Credits:
“Business in Pinellas County” - from State Archives of Florida - www.floridamemory.com
“1961 Festival of States Parade St. Petersburg, Florida” - home movie from @foxboy45 on youtube
Image Credits:
State Archives of Florida
Sepia photo of woman on a green bench from simpleinsomnia
Audio Credits:
Tottenham Court Road: freesound.org/s/14604/
Halloween Parade 2013: freesound.org/s/204107/
Harbor Dock Activity: freesound.org/s/438158/
Pelicans: freesound.org/s/242083/
A Thud: freesound.org/s/215162/
Pershing Square in Los Angeles: freesound.org/s/316604/
Inside a Pharmacy: freesound.org/s/706971/
Medium Traffic: freesound.org/s/407334/
Busy Street: freesound.org/s/538952/
Birds at a Lake: freesound.org/s/640782/
Tree Leaves: freesound.org/s/87289/
Elizabeth Lake: freesound.org/s/86625/
Fort Desoto Waves: freesound.org/s/221318/
Beach Ambiance: freesound.org/s/487005/
Calm Beach: freesound.org/s/474919/
Broken TV: freesound.org/s/490749/

[@MrCj98765]

I don't know how I 1st got directed to your videos but I'm glad I did. So well done and very informative.

[@viewmastertravels5114]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@philmarsh5593]

Dave, you surpass yourself with each new video. Wonderful detective work and the story is well told. Fantastic.

[@viewmastertravels5114]

Many thanks!

[@kennixox262]

The green benches and hexagon sidewalk tiles and brick streets were a major feature of St. Petersburg of that era. As a native of that city. Much of that was gone by the time I was born in the early 1960's. St. Petersburg was known as "God's Waiting Room". The benches went away after the 1964 Civil Rights laws. The old Pier went away to be replaced by the early 1970's inverted Pyramid which itself has been replaced. Snell Isle, which isn't really an island at all, is THE neighborhood to live in St. Petersburg, especially if you own a home on Brightwaters Blvd. You have arrived. There may be newer places, fancier places but Snell Isle was old money. Most of the old places have been replaced by ugly modern boxes. We love vintage Vue Master reels and appreciate your research.

[@viewmastertravels5114]

Great comment! Thanks!

[@blinky705]

I moved to St. Pete from St. Louis with my parents in 1956, when I was 7 years old, and have lived here ever since. I wouldn't move to another city for anything (mainly, because it's taken me almost 70 years to find everything.) I've been to every site you visited but I still learned many new facts about their origins and history. Thanks for a wonderful tour and video. Cheers from The Sunshine City!

[@viewmastertravels5114]

That’s awesome. I also did a video on St Louis as well 😊

[@blinky705]

@@viewmastertravels5114 I will look for it! Thanks!

[@deen1843]

Your videos have gone through the roof in terms of presentation and research. Bravo!

[@viewmastertravels5114]

Thanks! Always trying to improve 😊

[@mikewatson4644]

This series is great. The research that is do is first class. You really deserve to have more viewers. Thank you

[@viewmastertravels5114]

Thanks 😊. Tough to find an audience I guess. Do share if you can.

[@robt5818]

Thanks for another great video. Whether I have been to one of these locations or not, your appreciation of history and commentary are enjoyable. Keep up the good work!

[@viewmastertravels5114]

Thanks for watching 😊

[@michaelpowers9307]

An amazing historical build from a VM reel. I applaud your incorporation of multiple sources to create a very engaging journey.

[@viewmastertravels5114]

Thanks!

[@robertwesterfield3454]

We still have the sidewalk stones made out of concrete even out front of my house 30 blocks away from downtown

[@bobmcl2406]

Just discovered your channel thanks to a posting on FB. What a pleasure! I'm a ViewMaster collector (modest, compared to what I saw from your intro!). I also really love research of all kinds, including historical research. Your assemblage facts and stories, plus your very engaging presentation style are really outstanding. Your earned a new subscriber within the first two minutes. Cheers from Canada!

[@viewmastertravels5114]

Thanks! Glad you enjoy the videos!

[@paulazemeckis7835]

I moved to St. Pete in early 2003. Bought a home very cheaply. Loved downtown St. Pete! Moved from Atlanta. Now St Pete has exploded! I like that! My house shot up in value! I feel very safe here as opposed to Atlanta where so much crime happened to me. St. Petersburg also loves dogs very much. Great decision to move here.

[@viewmastertravels5114]

Sounds ideal!

[@IMBrute-ir7gz]

I grew up there in the 1950's and 60's and remember a whole bunch of those landmarks. Too bad you missed Webb's City!

[@viewmastertravels5114]

That would be neat to see, I’ll have to go back!

[@IMBrute-ir7gz]

@@viewmastertravels5114 oops! It seems I mistakenly misled you! Webb's City, billed as the "World's Most Unusual Drug Store," closed down decades ago. It would still be fun to look back on it. It was a really big deal in its day.

[@viewmastertravels5114]

@IMBrute-ir7gz Oh well, that’s too bad. Didn’t realize it’d closed either.

[@lisathuban8969]

Just a little side note. The inverted pyramid pier was demolished in 2015, not 2004.

[@viewmastertravels5114]

Thanks for the correction 😊

[@gcxred4kat9]

I've been to that Chik fil A a million times and never knew about that green bench. Surprised you didn't have anything about The Vinoy Hotel, very old and beautiful.

[@viewmastertravels5114]

There was a picture of a hotel on the reel, but it was of the old Soreno Hotel, which I looked for but I guess it was demolished in the early 90s.

[@FiveDrexler]

Reality doesnt spell Chik Fil A like that anymore, although that is how I remember it also. its "Chick Fil A" now.

[@VideosJacked]

Great video with really accurate info on my hometown. The only issue is you calling the place St. Petes... it's either Pete or Petersburg. Did you go on Crystal River when you were there in Weeki Wachi?

[@viewmastertravels5114]

Thanks! I didn’t get to Crystal River, what’s it like?

[@VideosJacked]

@@viewmastertravels5114 Crystal River is so clear and cold all year round. Manatees seem to frequent the area. When I was 13 canoeing down, a manatee bumped into my canoe.

[@viewmastertravels5114]

@VideosJacked Sounds nice. Hopefully I could see that some time.

[@NiceDonkey3417]

LOL Did your ears itch after hearing it too?

[@webwillie1]

Should have called me. I live in St Petersburg and could have made it easy for ya.

[@viewmastertravels5114]

Will do next time 😊

[@hot88s23]

Stop saying "St.Petes".

[@viewmastertravels5114]

Point taken, it’s tough for visitors to know these things.

[@john_carter_of_earth]

Yes! Came here to say the exact same thing! It's St. PETE, not St. Pete's, except in cases of using it as a possessive.

[@NiceDonkey3417]

@@viewmastertravels5114 saying this with kindness, I think it falls into a respect for the place category. If you don't know its proper nickname, it should be called by its proper name. I think it's a lot like when people call New Orleans Nola, only because they've heard it be called that. Or giving someone a nickname when you don't know them like that.

[@viewmastertravels5114]

@NiceDonkey3417 Thanks for the considered feedback, I’ll keep it in mind for future videos.