CULTURAL
HERITAGE
St. Petersburg’s history is an
interesting mix of legends,
pioneering spirits and visionary
leaders. Here are some fun facts.
First People
The Tocobaga Indians were
indigenous to the area and had a
ourishing civilization that lasted
for thousands of years. They built
shell mounds that once covered the
entire region of Florida’s Suncoast.
Preserved shell mounds can still
be found in various parts of the
city, from Jungle Prada de Narvaez
Park on Boca Ciega where Spanish
explorer Pnlo de Narvez rst
landed in Florida in 1528, to a
southern tip of the city in an area
known as Pinellas Point. Additional
Native American artifacts can also
be found at Weedon Island Preserve
Cultural and Natural History Center.
Visit www.weedonislandpreserve.
org.
Early Pioneers
In the late 1800s, entrepreneur
Peter Demens brought the Orange
Belt Railway through the Florida
jungle, opening up what is now St.
Petersburg to early pioneers and
tourists. Demens christened the new
city St. Petersburg in honor of his
hometown of St. Petersburg, Russia.
Demens Landing Park is named for
him. Visit www.stpeteparksrec.org.
A member of the Tocobaga tribe
by artist Theodore Morris
E
I
P
B
Orange Belt ailay from the t. Petersburg
Museum of History
On June 8, 1888, the
“Mattie” pulled into a
town commonly known as
Wardsvillle, but soon to be
renamed after Demens’
birthplace –
St. Petersburg.
10 St. Petersburg’s Visitors Guide | 2018-2019
/www.weedonislandpreserve.org
/www.stpeteparksrec.org