Gulf Beaches Historical Museum
115 10th Ave., Pass-A-Grille (St. Pete Beach)
727-552-1610
Hours: Thurs & Sat. 10AM- 4PM; Sun. 1-4PM
Located at the end of the Trolley Line.
Come travel back in time to see how our S. Pinellas County Community began. Follow their development and marvel at all the photos and memorabilia.
Located at -
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History of Pass-a-Grille
For 10,000 years, Indians hunted the praires and fished the waters of what later became Pass-A-Grille. The last group of Native Americans to settle in the Pinellas County area were the Tocobagas around 1,000 - 1,700 AD. This area was first visited by Europeans in 1528 when the Spanish Explorer, Panfilo de Narvaez anchored off Pass-A-Grille pass. Afterwards, the island was used as a camp ground for fisherman to obtain fresh water and to grill their catch. According to legend, it is thought that Pass-A-Grille derives it's name from the French Passe aux Grilleurs. In 1857, John Gomez self styled 'last of the pirates', began bringing excursionists here from Tampa which gave this area the distinction of perhaps being the oldest resort on Central Florida's West Coast. Zephaniah Phillips, the first homesteader settled here in 1886 and by the turn of the Century Pass-A-Grille had it's first hotel and a ferry boat service from what is now Gulfport. The town of Pass-A-Grille Beach was incorporated into the city of St. Petersburg Beach in 1957 and in 1989 a section of Pass-A-Grille was declared a National Historic District.
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Whales Invade Pass-A-Grille Beach (March 14, 1946)
A school of 27 whates came churning up the waters of Pass-A-Grille Pass running aground in the shallow water off Cabbage Key (now Tierra Verde).
The spectacular mass suicide of these huge creatures brought dozens of Pass-A-Grille residents to the beaches to watch. Many fisherman took to their boats and attempted to capture some of the huge whales while they were still alive.
No one knows what caused the whales to come into the shallow water. One theory is that one or more of the whales might have been sick and came in to die, with the others following along blindly.
(Compliments of the Pass-A-Grille Sentinel)
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Don CeSar Opens its Doors (Jan. 16, 1928)
The palatial Don CeSar opened its doors on the evening of Jan. 16, 1928 with a society gala to rival the spectacular balls of European royalty.
The Don's builder, Thomas J. Rowe, walked through the glittering crowd of about 1,500, greeting his bejeweled and beautifully-gowned guests and accepting their compliments on his handiwork. he told them he named the grand 10-story hotel after Don Caesar, a knight in his favorite opera, Maritana.
Rowe came here from Norfold, VA., hoping St. Petersburg's healthful climate would relieve his suffering from heart problems and asthma. When looking for a way to invest his money, he discovered developer Perry Snell's 80-acre tract just north of Pass-A-Grille Beach for sale for $100,000.
He bought it - dreaming of a beautiful subdivision with the Don as its centerpiece. he already ahd sold most of the los when the bottom dropped out of the local real-estate market in 1926. It took Rowe three years and $1,150,000 to build the Don, hauling his materials from the mainland on shallow barges.
(Compliments of the the Pass-A-Grille Sentinel)
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Pass-A-Grille Market
Located at 104 8th Ave., it was Holiday Isles' first market (1904) and progressed fhrough the food-retailing revolution by modernizing its facilities while keeping its old-fashion personal services.
The 8th Ave. address, site of Civil War veteran Zepheniah Phillips first homestead in 1884, is still distinguished by its Early Florida architecture.
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Sunset View Guest House
The Sunset View Guest House was located at 1107 Gulf Way. It was owned by Jeanne R. Crepeau who also owned the Quebec Apartments at 1007 Gulf Way.
The photo shows a front Patio....Apartments, Cottages and Rooms - comfortably furnished. Television. heated and Air-conditioned for year 'round comfort. Bathing, fishing, golfing, and shuffleboard courts. A friendly infomal atmosphere
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Sun Sea Apartments and Motel - circa 1957
Located at 3910 Gulf Blvd. in St. Petersburg Beach, it was located right on the Gulf of Mexico. It featured spacious one and two bedroom and efficiency apartments or a home like motel room. Private beach, daily maid service, radio and television in each unit. Open year round and could be reached by calling Tel. 21-2021
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Casa Del Sol on the Gulf of Mexico
Located at 4900 Gulf Blvd, it was owned and operated by the Skelton Bros. It featured 400 feet of private beach with Apartments, cottages, and hotel rooms carefully furnished for the utmost comfort.
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Schrafft's Motor Inn & Restuarant
Located at 6000 Gulf Blvd., this was a truly delightful vacation spot. Luxurious apartments, each with private balcony overlooking the sparkling Gulf and expansive white sugar-sand beaches of famous Long Key is a 'complete vacation hideaway' in itself. Apartmetns, Efficiencies and Motel Rooms to suit all tastes and fancies. Color TV throughout. Twin heated pools.
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Albert Apartments
The Albert Apartments were located at 1907 Gulf Avenue in Pass-A-Grille. Located on the Gulf of Mexico, they were completely air conditioned and were 2 bedroom units. Postmarked 1958.
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Coral Reef Motor Inn
Located at 5800 Gulf Blvd, the Inn featured one and two bedroom apartments, studio efficiency and hotel rooms. 240-foot private beach. Restaurant and cocktail lounge. Two pools, color TV, telephone, radio, individually controlled central heat and air conditioning - all units.
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Alden Apartments and Hotel
Located at 5900 Gulf Blvd., it was located directly on the Gulf of Mexico with a private beach. New modern luxuriously furnished apts. and hotel rooms were available, each with a private porch and view of the Gulf. Steam heated and air cooled, it had tile baths and showers. It was open all year.
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Surf Lane Apartments and Hotel
Located at 5608 Gulf Blvd., it was located directly on the Gulf of Mexico. It was planned for our comfort and convenience with individually controlled Electric Heat, Air Conditioning, and TV. Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Walker were the Resident Ownwers.
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Keystone Hotel & Apartments
A new hotel right on the Gulf of Mexico-40 Rooms and Apts. All private baths. Luxuious accommodations - Spacious lobby. Adjacent to the West Coast's finest bathing beach-Excellent Surf and Deep Sea Fishing-Convenient to ShoppingCenters, Churses, Golf and other recreational facilities-Rates upon request
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Buildings along Pass-A-Grille Beach
Lovely early photo of buildings along Pass-A-Grille Beach
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The Pass
Early photo by D. J. Lewis showing The Pass, Pass-A-Grille, FL. It was printed in Germany by Geo. Lizotte.
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Pass-A-Grille Police
Do you have any information on the Pass-A-Grille Police? I have been unable to locate any, my associate has 3 versions of their uniform patch on his website (listed below, the patches are in alphabetical order) Please let me know.
Website: www.patchmethru.com/cities/p.html
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George Henry Lizotte
George Henry Lizotte was my great Great Grandfather and he had the very first Hotel on Pass- A Grille it was called the Bonhomie this was before 1900 around 1890. Later it was called Lizotte Hotel. He started the very first fishing tourniment on the West coast of Florida along with many other fun beach things he was in Pass A grile till the late 1930's anyone who would like to share any info please contact me !! Thanks Keith Smith
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George Henri Lizotte
I was just wondering Is there a sign anywhere telling the history of my Great Great Grandfather George Henri Lizotte he built the very first hotel The Bonhomie and was the very first Post Master and the very first Post Office for Pass A Grille was located in his Hotel he also had the very first restrauant located in the Bonhomie then his other hotel the Lizotte . He started the very first fishing tournament for the biggest tarpon that I think still goes on today maybe in St Pete beach !! I would love, along with the rest of my family, to see something put up to honor my GGGrandfather George Henri Lizotte. He was one of the first founding fathers of Pass A Grille and I hope that he is remembered for that some day in my life time . Thanks Boyce Keith Smith
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This history of the neighborhood plays a vital part in the identity of its residents. If you have lived Pass-A-Grille for many years, the neighborhood history is a heartfelt reminder of days gone by. 
