Courtesy, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System
St. Pete's history stretches back over 140 years ago ². Explorers stumbled on the land in the 1500’s but settlement didn’t begin until the late 1800’s. The city was named after its co-founder's, Peter Demens', Birthplace in Russia. Surrounded by water, it's not surprising that the seafood trade became a large part of its economy. In 1888 a railroad was put in, making it easier for people to travel long distances to St. Pete's sandy beaches and resorts.
Later, in the 40s, the city began to promote itself as a retirement community. With almost 360 days of sunshine every year ¹ and easy access to the ocean, it provided an ideal place to settle down. It wasn't until the 90s that St. Pete began to attract a younger crowd, largely due to the increase in affordable living and technical jobs ⁴.
Today, St. Pete, FL is ranked one of the top 50 cities to live in the United States ³. Its increasing popularity has people from all walks of life moving to Florida's 5th largest city. Businesses and investors have subsequently been drawn in, providing the area with new restaurants, shops, and housing across the city.
St. Pete is full of diversity and culture with plenty of places to experience both art and history. It's home to 4 colleges/universities, and some amazing art and history exhibits like the Salvador Dali Museum and Holocaust Museum ². St. Pete's parks and beaches are highly rated and are the destination of many tourists and vacationers.
FUN FACT
"St. Pete holds a Guinness World Record for logging the most consecutive days of sunshine—a stretch that began in 1967 and lasted 768 days." ¹
City of St. Petersburg . (n.d.). About St. Pete. City of St. Petersburg. Retrieved January 21, 2023, from https://www.stpete.org/visitors/about_st_pete.php#:~:text=Welcome%20to%20the%20Sunshine%20City&text=With%20weather%20that%20sees%20averages,across%20the%20country%20and%20beyond.
Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2023, January 9). St. Petersburg. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved January 21, 2023, from https://www.britannica.com/place/Saint-Petersburg-Florida
Luckey, S. (2021, March 17). St. Pete ranked among best to live in America. St. Pete, FL Patch. Retrieved January 21, 2023, from https://patch.com/florida/stpete/st-pete-ranked-among-best-live-america
Sachs, A. (2007, January 28). A new age: St. Pete's Fountain of Youth. The Washington Post. Retrieved January 21, 2023, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/travel/2007/01/28/a-new-age-st-petes-fountain-of-youth/385ea0a1-0e9b-4a13-baa4-c251b82caf14/
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