Pass-a-Grille Beach in St. Pete Beach in Pinellas County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Don Ce Sar Hotel
In the late 1920's and the 1930's, the Don Ce Sar Hotel was a renowned luxury resort which counted many notables among its guests. Thomas J. Rowe, a land developer, conceived of the establishment in the mid-20's at the height of the land sales boom then attracting flocks of tourists and investors to Florida. The "Boom" ended before the Don Ce Sar was completed in 1928, but it remained open throughout the Depression of the 1930's. During World War II, many Florida hotels suffering from the decline of tourism were converted to war time uses. In 1942, the Don was purchased by the U.S. Government for use as a rest and rehabilitation center. From 1945 to 1967, the Don served as a federal office building. It was then vacated. Soon a committee of local citizens began to work for its preservation. In 1972. with their encouragement and community support, hotel developer William Bowman, Jr. purchased the property. He rehabilitated the Don, restoring it to its original function and elegance, and re-opened it in 1973. Restoration was completed in 1975. In that year, the Don Ce Sar Hotel was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The massive edifice of stuccoed Belgian concrete remains a symbol of the colorful, exciting "Boom" period of Florida's history.
Erected 1975 by William Bowman, Jr. in cooperation with Department of State. (Marker Number F-245.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.
Location. 27° 42.573′ N, 82° 44.227′ W. Marker is in St. Pete Beach, Florida, in Pinellas County. It is in Pass-a-Grille Beach. Marker is on Gulf Boulevard south of Pinellas Byway, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3400 Gulf Blvd, Saint Petersburg FL 33706, 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. "Pass-A-Grille" (approx. 1.4 miles away); Zephaniah Phillips' Homestead Site (approx. 1.6 miles away); Gulfport Casino (approx. 2.6 miles away); Steven Jay Robin (approx. 2.7 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.7 miles away); Tierra Verde Mound (approx. 2.9 miles away); Osgood Point / Clam Bayou Nature Preserve (approx. 3.3 miles away); Stetson University College of Law (approx. 3˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Pete Beach.
Also see . . . The History of The Don CeSar Hotel. Some additional historical information and pictures.
If you are a beach walker, a boater, a lover of hotels, or just enamored with fascinating buildings, you can’t miss the eight-story pink hotel on St. Pete Beach! The Don CeSar was built by Thomas Rowe, it opened its doors in regal splendor on January 10, 1928.(Submitted on January 15, 2024, by Dave W of Co, Colorado.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 15, 2024, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 62 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 15, 2024, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.