National Register Listings in
Pinellas County, Florida

Alexander Hotel Anclote Key Lighthouse Andrews Memorial Chapel Arcade Hotel Arfaras, N. G., Sponge Packing House Bay Pines Veterans Administration Home and Hospital Historic District Blatchley, Willis S., House Boone House Casa Coe da Sol Casa De Muchas Flores Central High School Civitan Beach House Cleveland Street Post Office Cycadia Cemetery Dennis Hotel Domestic Science and Manual Training School Don Ce Sar Hotel Douglas, J. O., House Downtown St. Petersburg Historic District DUCHESS (Sponge Hooking Boat) Dunedin Isles Golf Club Golf Course First Methodist Church of St. Petersburg Fort Desoto Batteries GEORGE N. CRETEKOS (Sponge Diving Boat) Green-Richman Arcade Gulfport Casino Harbor Oaks Residential District Henry, James, House House at 827 Mandalay Avenue Huggins-Stengel Field Ingleside Johnson, Louis, Building Kenwood Historic District Kress, S.H., and Company Building McKeage, John & Florence, House Meres, E. R., Sponge Packing House Mount Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church N.K. SYMI (Sponge Diving Boat) North Shore Historic District Old Belleair Town Hall Pass-a-Grille Historic District Pass-A-Grille Historic District (Boundary Increase) Pinellas County Courthouse, Old Potter House Roebling, Donald, Estate Rose Hill Cemetery Roser Park Historic District Rothman, Maurice and Thelma, House Round Lake Historic District Safety Harbor Site Safford House Sanitary Public Market Snell Arcade South Ward School ST. NICHOLAS III (Sponge Diving Boat) ST. NICHOLAS VI (Sponge Diving Boat) St. Petersburg Lawn Bowling Club St. Petersburg Public Library St. Petersburg Woman's Club Studebaker Building Sunset Hotel Tarpon Springs City Hall, Old Tarpon Springs Greektown Historic District Tarpon Springs High School, Old Tarpon Springs Historic District U.S. Post Office Veillard House Vinoy Park Hotel Williams, John C., House
Florida was one of the first states to embrace the automobile, with the first auto race in the state taking place in 1904. Today, Florida is still known for its car culture, with numerous car shows and events taking place throughout the year.
Pinellas County, located on the western coast of Florida, has a rich history dating back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, such as the Tocobaga and the Safety Harbor culture, who relied on the region's bountiful natural resources for sustenance and trade.

The arrival of Spanish explorers in the 16th century brought significant changes to the area, as they claimed the land for Spain. However, it was not until the 19th century that Pinellas County began to experience significant settlement and development. The United States acquired Florida from Spain in 1821, and the region gradually attracted settlers, particularly following the U.S. Army's construction of Fort Harrison in 1849.

In the late 1800s, the area began to develop into a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors with its beautiful beaches and pleasant climate. Railroads played a crucial role in facilitating tourism and development, making it easier for people to reach the area. The town of St. Petersburg was founded in 1888 and quickly grew into a thriving city. In 1912, Pinellas County was officially established, named after the Spanish words for "pine" and "small," reflecting the region's abundance of pine trees.

Throughout the 20th century, Pinellas County continued to develop and grow. The construction of causeways and bridges connected the county to neighboring regions, further boosting tourism and economic opportunities. The county experienced significant population growth and saw the rise of industries such as tourism, healthcare, and technology. Today, Pinellas County is known for its vibrant communities, stunning beaches, and diverse cultural attractions, making it a highly desirable place to live and visit.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Pinellas County, Florida.

  • 1528 - Pánfilo de Narváez, a Spanish explorer, arrives in the area
  • 1834 - The United States Army establishes Fort Harrison in the vicinity
  • 1842 - The Armed Occupation Act encourages settlers to move into the area
  • 1852 - Hillsborough County is divided, creating Pinellas County
  • 1911 - The first bridge connecting the area to Tampa is built
  • 1914 - The railroad arrives, boosting economic development
  • 1915 - St. Petersburg is incorporated as a city
  • 1921 - The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is constructed over Tampa Bay
  • 1953 - The first commercial airline flight arrives at the newly opened St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport
  • 1962 - The renowned Salvador Dali Museum opens in St. Petersburg
  • 2005 - Hurricane Katrina causes significant damage to the Gulf Coast, including Pinellas County