Private Golf Cart Tour - The History of St. Petersburg

Start Location: The St. Pete Pier Welcome aboard! Your ride begins at the iconic St. Pete Pier, the modern continuation of a historic tradition. The original Million Dollar Pier (1914–1967) once stood here, drawing tourists from across the nation. From this point, you'll travel through the rich history of downtown St. Petersburg and the charming Old Northeast neighborhood

This waterfront city park is located on the site of the first railroad pier in St. Petersburg, built by Peter Demens.

Snell Arcade & Central Avenue (4th Street) Snell Arcade & Central Avenue (4th Street) Look up as we pass the Snell Arcade (built 1926), a Mediterranean Revival beauty developed by C. Perry Snell. Snell played a pivotal role in shaping St. Pete's architectural identity and was the developer behind the Old Northeast neighborhood we'll explore next.

As we return toward downtown, we’ll pass Mirror Lake, once a popular swimming hole. This area houses some of St. Pete’s earliest civic buildings: - Mirror Lake Library (1915), funded by Andrew Carnegie - City Hall - St. Mary’s Church (1920s), a downtown landmark

Over the years, there have been reports of ghost sightings and other supernatural events at the hotel.

Historic Old Northeast & Round Lake Winding into the tree-lined streets of Old Northeast, enjoy a look at well-preserved Craftsman bungalows, Colonial Revivals, and Mediterranean-style homes. This neighborhood, developed starting in the 1910s, is one of St. Pete’s most cherished historic districts. Highlights include: - Round Lake Park - Brick-lined streets - Grenada Terrace (notable for its stone gates and formal design)

As we cruise past North Straub Park, note the elegant waterfront landscaping. This park is part of a visionary plan by Charles Roser and William Straub, who helped preserve the bayfront for public use. The nearby Museum of Fine Arts (opened in 1965) symbolizes St. Pete’s cultural growth.