Businesses and Buildings
Central National Bank, located at 4th St and Central, opened in 1912.
Looking west over the Open Air Post Office, with the Kress building in the far background. c. 1970
Building at Mermaid Point, present-day Shore Acres, advertising “noted trout grounds” and “boats for rent.” Unknown date.
A large crowd gathers at Johnson’s Clothing store for a sale. Ladies’ Emporium and Postal Telegraph Office at right. Located on the southern side of Central Ave between 4th and 5th St. c. 1925
Operetta Building, 1951, on 2168 9th Ave. N, St. Petersburg; later Gay Blades roller skating rink. The creator of this photo is Jack Swenningsen, a photographer that promoted an idealized version of Florida.
Open Air Post Office on the corner of 4th St and 1st Ave N. c. 1930.
St. Petersburg High School, later St. Petersburg Junior College, at 150 5th St. N., built 1911. Elementary School in background left.
Historical Society Museum on pier approach, 1944. Building was razed in 1949.
Open Air Post Office on the corner of 4th St and 1st Ave N. c. 1940
St. Petersburg Memorial Historical Society Museum, at western end of the Municipal Recreation Pier. Building was formerly the aquarium. c. 1922
Florida Theater Building, at northestern corner of 1st Ave S & 5th St, showing Powell/Loy ‘Thin Man’ sequel. c. 1936
Aerial view of St. Petersburg High School, at 5th Ave. N. c. 1945
Florida Military Academy band in front of the Gulfport Casino. Note that the trolley line ends at the Casino. c 1935
Gallery of the Open Air Post Office. c. 1928.
McCrory’s storefront, located at 341 Central Ave. Ansonia Hotel at left. c. 1916
Snell Arcade building, located on the northwest corner of Central Ave and 4th St N. c. 1929
Mirror Lake Library. c. 1991.
First Federal building, at the beginning of addition construction. Williams Park in background. c. 1957
Williams Garage, on the corner of 3rd St and 3rd Ave S. c. 1918.
St. Petersburg Yacht Club. c. 1920
Known as the Finest Dance Hall in the South, the Coliseum opened in 1924, c. 1925.
The Drive-in Theater, once located at 4th St and 72nd Ave N. c. 1942
Florida Arcade, 464 1st Ave N. c. 1930
Kress Building, located on the northeastern corner of 5th St N and Central Ave. c. 1929
Empire Building on the southwestern corner of Central Ave and 3rd St S. c. 1945
Coca Cola Bottling Company, on 4th St N. Now the building for Great Explorations and Sunken Gardens. c. 1927
Kress Building, on the northeastern corner of 5th St and Central Ave. c. 1929
Florida Theater showing “No Business Like Show Business”. c. 1948
First Federal Building, on the corner of Central Ave and 4th St. c. 1953
Two young women exiting the Solarium. The Solarium opened for sunbathers in 1930.
Bill Carpenter’s Royal Palm Gift and Alligator Shop, located on Central Avenue. c. 1912
Florida Power Building, 1st Ave S and 5th St. c. 1966
La Plaza Theater after the second front wing was added. c. 1920
Central National Bank & Trust Company with the Pheil Hotel in the background. c. 1925
Police Headquarters on 1st Ave S. Widere & Smith printing just east, Bainbridge Hotel on corner of 3rd St. S. in background. c. 1952.
100 Block of Central Ave, including the Turner Building, Hotel Prather (133 Central), and Wilbur Apts. c. 1928
The Milne Fruit Packing Company at 220 1st Ave. S., near the ACL depot. c. 1930