St. Petersburg in Pinellas County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
St. Petersburg Central Yacht Basin
AIAA Historic Aerospace Site
Photographed By AGS Media, December 8, 2011
1. St. Petersburg Central Yacht Basin Marker
On January 1, 1914, the "aeroplane" was demonstrated as a viable means of commercial transportation with the inaugural flight of the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line, the world's first regularly scheduled commercial airline. Piloted by Tony H. Jannus, the Benoist Type XIV airboat departed for Tampa from the St. Petersburg Central Yacht Basin, carrying freight and one passenger across Tampa Bay, and initiating service of two round-trips daily between St. Petersburg and Tampa. Supported by the St. Petersburg Board of Trade, and including a flight school, the airline maintained regular operation until its last official flight on May 5, 1914.
Erected 2010 by The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the AIAA Historic Aerospace Sites series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1683.
Location. 27° 46.44′ N, 82° 37.803′ W. Marker is in St. Petersburg, Florida, in Pinellas County. Marker is on 2nd Avenue Northeast east of Bayshore Drive Northeast, on the left when traveling east. The marker is in downtown St. Petersburg on the grounds of the St.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The World's First Scheduled Airline (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Soreno Hotel (approx. ¼ mile away); Demens Landing (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pioneer Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); Peter Demens (approx. 0.3 miles away); First United Methodist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Brigadier General Thaddeus Kosciuszko (approx. 0.4 miles away); Merchant Seamen World War II Memorial (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Petersburg.
More about this marker. The marker is on a peninsula of land which divides the north and central yacht basins of the St. Petersburg Municipal Marina.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Several nearby markers feature details about the airline and the people behind it.
Photographed By AGS Media, December 8, 2011
2. St. Petersburg Central Yacht Basin Marker
Photographed By AGS Media, December 8, 2011
3. St. Petersburg Central Yacht Basin Marker
Photographed By AGS Media, December 8, 2011
4. St. Petersburg Museum of History
Photographed By AGS Media, December 8, 2011
5. Benoist Type XIV Airboat Replica
Credits. This page was last revised on May 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 11, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. This page has been viewed 873 times since then and 30 times this year. Last updated on October 6, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 11, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. 5. submitted on December 12, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
