Crystal Beach in Pinellas County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Gulf Shore Park
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, June 2, 2018
1. Gulf Shore Park Marker
Crystal Beach is one of the original communities in Pinellas County. The first settlers came to the area and began homesteading around 1850. In 1912, land developers Dr. J.D. Hanby and A.D. Powers of the Crystal Beach Development Co. platted the community and laid out a gridded street system. Included in that plat was a park along the Gulf of Mexico. Named Gulf Shore Park, this area was described in marketing materials produced by the company in 1927 as a “narrow strip of land entirely along the west of Gulf Drive from the north end of the drive to the south end of the property.” It is comprised of a shell path and paved portions of Gulf Drive running from Georgia Avenue to Ohio Avenue. Powers and Hanby intended the park land to be forever held as a public amenity, and wrote, “This park is for all the people all the time. It is the front yard of Crystal Beach, and you are always welcome to come and enjoy the sunsets and cooling breezes.” The company clearly believed they were building a special community and saw the Gulf Shore Park as a focal point in preserving access to the beautiful waterfront for everyone, and part
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Erected 2017 by Pinellas County Historic Preservation Board and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-963.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.
Location. 28° 5.5′ N, 82° 46.863′ W. Marker is in Crystal Beach, Florida, in Pinellas County. Marker is on North Gulf Drive just north of Crystal Beach Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Crystal Beach FL 34681, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Site of the Blue Heron Hotel and Faith Mission (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Gulf Shore Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wall Springs Park History (approx. 1.2 miles away); Rheba Sutton White Chapel (approx. 1.4 miles away); Ozona Village Hall (approx. 1˝ miles away); Oasis Park (approx. 2.8 miles away); Dunedin Isles Golf Club (approx. 3.4 miles away); Training Area of the U.S. Marine Corps Amphibian Tractor (Alligator) (approx. 3˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Crystal Beach.
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, June 2, 2018
2. Gulf Shore Park Marker looking southeast
Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2018. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 427 times since then and 164 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 18, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
