"one fade at a time"
This page is dedicated my dear friend Tommy R., who is no longer with us.
May he be picking treasures wherever he is......
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Clicking on most images, will open in new window, bringing you to our Famed Now & Then Fades of St. Petersburg, FloridaPast
FloridaPast Facebook
Your Journey Now Begins.......
ENJOY FOLKS!
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First Stop, the once Famed Webb's Department Store
Webb's as it was remembered by anyone who had visited
Click on the photo to visit Webb's Now & Then Fade
1950s era - Look how Jam Packed Webb's is
WEBB'S CITY at Christmas Time
Poster Gals from Webb's City Drug Store Saint Petersburg FloridaPast
Enticing us with their Smiles.......
We faded these Gals, right out front where Webb's stood. Click n Visit
The Smiling Poster Girls heading out, about to hop on the bus
Give a Click n Visit these Lovely Lasses before they are on the bus
A few interior views of what Webb's had in store for your visit
DELICATESSEN IN WEBB'S ONE STOP DRUG STORE
Home Cooked Here WEBB'S Fresh Foods
Fresh Roasted Dawn Coffee for only 19 cents
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Webb's City was a one-stop department store of sorts that was located in St. Petersburg, Florida and was touted as "the World's Most Unusual Drug Store".
It was started in the mid-1920s by James Earl "Doc" Webb in a building 17 by 28 feet. At its peak Webb's City had 77 departments and measured seven city blocks. It was considered a forerunner to the shopping center. Webb was taken to court for selling Ipana toothpaste below Bristol-Meyers' suggested retail price. The case went all the way to the Florida Supreme Court which ruled in Webb's favor. A few years later several distilleries also took Webb to court for similar reasons. The courts again ruled in Webb's favor. Webb's had a gift shop, hardware store, meat market, beauty salon, travel agency, clothing departments, cafeteria, multiple coffee shops and soda fountains and of course, a drugstore. Webb's City is credited as having implemented a new idea in the checkout aisle, the express lane, 10 items or less. <- please credit history text too, and visit |
Dawn's Coffee Roasting Room and Citrus Fruit Shipping Department
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The Historical Gulfport Casino and Ballroom - Gulfport, FloridaPast
The following Fades have a bit more meaning to us, since we were inside this building many times through the years. Our once annual Floridiana Show was held within these walls. A Wonderful Venue which we surely miss doing.
One of our most Unique Fades. Viewing from the inside doorway of the Now Neptune Grill - 1930s
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Since history has been documented, we borrowed some to share here with you all.
___ Gulfport; "The town was originally named Disston City in 1884 when Hamilton Disston purchased land in the area. The United States Postal Service would not recognize the name as it conflicted with a town in Hillsborough County. Instead, it was named Bonifacio. In 1890, the town name was changed to Veteran City. In 1910, the name officially changed to Gulfport. Gulfport is distinguished by its high concentration of artisans inspired by the intense light and tropical scenery. A celebration the first Friday and third Saturday of each month called "Art Walk" attracts locals and tourists. Many street performers, artists and craftspeople show up to create a relaxed cultured atmosphere in the warm balmy evening breezes coming off the beach at the end of the street." Please credit to, and read more by clicking here - |
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Some borrowed history to share about this Wonderful Building;
"The first casino was built in 1906. The two story building was built as a resting place for people who waited for ferry boats to pick them up. Since there were no bridges at the time that lead to the beach, people traveled by boat to reach the beach shores." "The second floor of the casino had a dance hall, and the casino soon became a place of social gatherings as well as a waiting dock for the ferry boats. A trolley system was in play that drove folks right up to the entrance of the casino. Tragedy struck and the casino was demolished by the Hurricane of 1921." "The second casino was built and opened in 1924. This new structure was faintly closer to the shore and took on a similar style to the first. The casino was not as strongly built as the first, but people still piled in to dance and socialize. Automobiles were becoming a popular mode of transportation which limited the use of the trolley, but ferry boats still picked folks up from the dock of the casino. This casino’s life span ended so that a superior casino could be built." "The third and final casino thus far was built in 1934. It has undertaken renovations to approve its appearance but is still the same one built in 1934. It is the home to many social events; the main one being dancing. The Gulfport Casino’s dance floor is 5,000 square feet, and has luxurious chandeliers which hang above it for elegant lighting. Adjacent to the dance floor is a bandshell stage and a bar, which is perfect for entertainment. It is rented out to people at fair prices for their special events, and hosts dance classes four nights out of the week." Please give all history text credit to, and read more by Clicking Here - |
1940s view of the Historical Gulfport Casino
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Boats, Ships, Vessels on the Waterways of St. Pete, FloridaPast
Miss Florida II Saint Petersburg 1949
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Captain Doris Outland, a 33 year old widow from Ohio,
who's husband had died from a brain operation. So she took over as Captain. At the time this image was taken, Captain Doris Outland, also Owner of Miss Florida, has been Captain for a bit less than two years. On board, there was an 81 year old banjo player and singer. For his living, collections were taken. See image to right for more Miss Florida Jungle Cruise History -> |
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LITTLE MANATEE RIVER Cruise Boat
Cactus Motel St. Petersburg
Located at 1600 34th St. North
This made for a wonderful Now & Then Overlay-Fade
The Cactus offered new modern units, electric heat, air conditioning and tv in every room.
Find us at the approach of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Find us at the approach of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge
The Sandman Motel - St. Petersburg
Neon Light Sign at Night Time
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A bit of first hand family history for the Sandman Motel here in St. Pete. Shared on Facebook, by Lynn Lanier Lanigan, a family member.
"The Sandman Motel in the 1950s and 1960s: My grandmother, Mary S. Massey, owned the Sandman Motel back in the days when it was respectable, and nice and clean, with repeat customers every winter. I lived at the Sandman with my grandmother, going to St. Petersburg High School. I'm sharing original postcards of the motel in its success days, plus a copy of her business card. A guy and snowbird by the name of Frank Borisch from Wisconsin visited every winter, and finally convinced her to marry him, and they ran it together. He passed away only a few years after they married. Tragically, on January 4, 1967, at around midnight, a driver of a car lost control due to evidently medical issues, and the car ran into the bedroom where she was sleeping at the Sandman, and it killed her. I'm attaching a copy of the article from the St. Petersburg Independent reporting the accident and death. The motel was sold afterward, and I don't think it was ever the same." The above text credited to Lynn Lanier Lanigan. Follow this LINK to the Facebook page it was shared on. Within the thread you'll also find other history, images, comments, etc. |
Sign Still Remains - See a Night n Day Fade by clicking sign
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The Sandman Motel with it's Classic Sign still standing today
Nice to see some of these motels standing today. Click for a Now & Then Fade
The Pelican Diner - Saint Petersburg, FloridaPast
Give a Click, and Visit a Now & Then Fade
THE OWL COFFEE SHOP
Now & Then Fade
333 4TH ST NORTH ST PETERSBURG FL
Come have breakfast with us. Click the photo
The History via. printed text of the once Famed Owl Coffee Shop
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GATOR DINER & DRIVE-IN SERVICE - St. Petersburg, FloridaPast
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CENTRAL AVE. - St. Petersburg, FloridaPast
