CoolHistory
A Vacation Under the Sunshine
Before luxury resorts and high-rise hotels lined the waterfront, some visitors to St. Petersburg discovered a simpler way to spend the…
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CoolHistory
Holly Bird and the Art of Mentorship
Holly Bird has helped shape the modern printmaking community in Pinellas County through her artwork, teaching, and dedication to traditional craftsmanship.
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Built by Freedom
On August 15, 1887, Eatonville was incorporated as an all-Black municipality, making it the first all-Black incorporated town in Florida and…
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The War Comes to an End
On August 14, 1945, Americans received news that World War II was finally coming to an end. At 7 p.m. Washington…
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A Warm Welcome
In the early 1900s, one of the first stops for many visitors was the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce. There, guests…
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When Florida Cheered for the King
On August 11, 1776, news of the Declaration of Independence reached St. Augustine, the capital of British East Florida. While celebrations…
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Florida’s PC Revolution
On August 12, 1981, IBM introduced its first personal computer, the IBM Model 5150. Developed by a small team at IBM’s…
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Meet Mr. Sun
When photographer Jack Swenningsen arrived in St. Petersburg in 1948, he quickly discovered that promoting the Sunshine City required more than…
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Wade Boggs’ Historic 3,000th Hit
On August 7, 1999, Tampa Bay baseball witnessed one of the sport’s most unforgettable milestones. Playing before a home crowd at…
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Lodwick’s Legacy
When publicity expert John Lodwick arrived in St. Petersburg in 1918, he believed attracting visitors required more than traditional advertising. It…
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The Chickee: An Innovation of Adaptation
At first glance, a traditional Seminole chickee may look unusual. Unlike many homes, it has no walls, yet this open-air design…
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The Sunshine Offer
Long before social media campaigns and tourism commercials, the Evening Independent newspaper found a simple way to convince the world that…
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