Crystal Beach in Pinellas County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Site of the Blue Heron Hotel and Faith Mission

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, November 10, 2017

1. Site of the Blue Heron Hotel and Faith Mission Marker

Inscription. The Blue Heron Hotel was built in 1917. Reverend Fred C. and Cora Markerts established Faith Mission in Tampa as a children's home in 1923. In 1928, it moved to Crystal Beach and occupied the Blue Heron. Faith Mission grew to peak occupancy of 87 children. During World War II servicemen on coastal patrol duty were invited to sleep in the building at night. Faith Mission was a Christian organization supported entirely by voluntary contributions. In 1951 the Blue Heron was razed and by 1952, a 10-room, one-story, masonry building had been completed for use as a retirement home. Pinellas County purchased the site from Faith Mission in 2000, and it became part of Live Oak Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.

Location. 28° 5.533′ N, 82° 46.82′ W. Marker is in Crystal Beach, Florida, in Pinellas County. It is on North Gulf Drive just south of Avery Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Marker is mounted on a rock in the middle of Live Oak Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Crystal Beach FL 34681, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast

and on Tampa Bay.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Gulf Shore Park (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Gulf Shore Park

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Wall Springs Park History (approx. 1.1 miles away); Captain Dean Parks (approx. 1.2 miles away); Rheba Sutton White Chapel (approx. 1.4 miles away); Ozona Village Hall (approx. 1½ miles away); Oasis Park (approx. 2.8 miles away); Dunedin Isles Golf Club (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Crystal Beach.

Site of the Blue Heron Hotel and Faith Mission Marker on rock image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, November 10, 2017

2. Site of the Blue Heron Hotel and Faith Mission Marker on rock

Photo the Blue Heron Hotel image. Click for full size.

Original Post card from the Blue Heron hotel, August 27, 2023

3. Photo the Blue Heron Hotel

Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,273 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 22, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 3. submitted on August 27, 2023. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.