St. Petersburg

Book excerpt: Voices of America: St. Petersburg is peppered with anecdotes, documented histories, and journalistic accounts. Revealed inside is the impact that Swedish immigrant Josef Henschen had in birthing and naming the city. Readers will experience the coming of the Orange Belt Railroad and delve into the lives of pioneers, including postmaster Roy Hanna, cowboy Jay Starkey, and mayor and builder A.C. Pheil. They will travel to the day the 1921 hurricane struck and revel in the antics of mayors Noel Mitchell and Frank Fortune Pulver. Historic photographs, including scenes from Williams Park and the Princess Martha Hotel, abound in this book. C. Perry Snell's rise as a local developer is documented. George Gandy's bridge, once the nation's largest over-water span, is featured, as is the Coliseum, once the nation's most celebrated dance hall. Recognized also is the valor of the Rev. Enoch Davis and Chester James Sr., local civil rights leaders.