Duration: 90 Minutes
Distance: 1.5 Miles

Originally home to farms and orange groves, Round Lake became one of the first neighborhoods to be developed outside of the downtown core in the early 1900s. Home to some of the city’s oldest homes, this National Register Historic District retains all of the charm and ambience that made it so attractive as the city’s first “streetcar suburb.” It features what is likely the city’s oldest house and boasts a fantastic mix of architectural styles, including over 200 Craftsman bungalows. During the Great Depression, Round Lake residents capitalized on St. Pete’s popularity as America’s “health city” by building boarding houses and mother-in-law apartments that offered tourists easy access to nearby social hubs like the Coliseum and the Shuffleboard Club, and maximized property values for the owners. The picturesque lake that gave the area its name has survived attempts to fill it in, and challenges of crime and homelessness on its banks in the 1990s and early 2000s. Today the shops and restaurants on the lake’s periphery again attract vibrant crowds, and real estate values are soaring. Join us as we reveal the history of gems like the hidden horseshoe courts, the towering Banyan tree, the magnificent Boone House, and more.

Duration: 90 Minutes
Distance: 1 Mile

The moment one enters the hidden neighborhood of Driftwood they notice an atmospheric change. Perhaps it’s the dense tree canopy whose shade keeps the neighborhood remarkably cool, even in the doldrums of summer. Or perhaps it’s the charming homes nestled along the shores of Big Bayou, designed by architect Archie Parrish and artist Mark Dixon Dodd. Maybe it’s the depth of history to be found in this tiny enclave, from early Native American inhabitation, through a Civil War skirmish, to the founding of the earliest white settlement in the city that would come to be known as St. Petersburg. Whatever it is, there is something special about the neighborhood of Driftwood.

Duration: 90 Minutes
Distance: 1.5 Miles

The Historic Old Northeast’s canopied brick-lined streets and hex-block sidewalks charm residents and visitors alike, and its proximity to St. Pete’s burgeoning downtown has made it one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the city. But the neighborhood also offers a fascinating lesson in urban history and design, from the grand vision of developer Perry Snell, to its period of decline and later renaissance. In addition to enjoying the diverse architecture, you’ll learn the history of the “mother-in-law” apartment and why there are so many in the neighborhood, what an analemmatic sundial is (and why there’s one located in the Old Northeast) and which house was owned by the founder of the world’s largest broiler-chick hatchery!

Duration: 90 Minutes
Distance: 1.5 Miles

Join us on the romantic and historic Pink Streets of Pinellas Point. Learn about the Native American princess whose daring story of rescue may have influenced the later tale of Pocahontas, and see the magnificent Indian Mound that still remains from her time.  We’ll lament the loss of the millions of wading birds that once called this area home, while also celebrating the achievements of the early environmentalist Katherine Bell Tippetts, whose name now graces part of the nine-acre park in this splendid neighborhood.  Marvel at the Argenteau Castle, once home to a Belgian princess and, later, Mayor Al Lang. And of course, we’ll talk about why those streets are pink, and how they keep them that way!

Duration: 90 Minutes
Distance: 1.25 Miles

The earliest of St. Pete’s “streetcar suburbs” Roser Park remains perhaps the most visually striking neighborhood in the city. Straddling the storied Booker Creek, the hills (yes, hills!) of Roser Park along with its eclectic mix of architectural styles can mislead a visitor to conclude they’ve left Florida altogether! Founded in 1918, by Charels Roser – who may or may not have invented the Fig Newton cookie – the neighborhood was designed on the principles of the City Beautiful movement, and was designated as the first local historic district in St. Petersburg. Bordered on one side by the historic Greenwood Cemetery, the mix of history, beauty, architecture, and topography make Roser Park one of the most fascinating neighborhoods in the city.

Duration: 2 hours
Distance: 2 Miles

Join us for an introduction to the history of the Deuces, the historically African American neighborhood along 22nd Street South. This tour reveals the vibrant business life of the historic corridor, introduces the legendary Elder Jordan, and shows some of the remaining landmarks like the Manhattan Casino, the Jordan Elementary School, and the churches along the Avenue of Faith.  We will visit the Woodson Museum and discuss the building’s evolution from a bustling community center to a museum showcasing both local and national history and culture, and share the grand vision for the museum’s future. Drawing upon research from the groundbreaking African-American Heritage Trail, we will pay tribute to tireless foot soldiers like Dr. Ralph Wimbish and Dr. Robert Swain, who desegregated Spring Training through their heroic activism, and trailblazers like Fanny Ayer Ponder, an educator who in a single night sold $85,000 in U.S. World War II bonds, and founded the local chapter of the National Council of Negro Women.