One of the hidden gems of Florida, St. Petersburg sits just across the bay from its bigger sister, Tampa. Long a destination for people who wanted to retire to Florida, this small city has grown well beyond its humble beginnings. Today it's a cultural center as well as a beautiful place to call home.
One of the most visited museums in Florida is the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg. Housing an extensive collection of iconic works by the Spanish artist, this museum was founded in 1982 by Reynolds and Eleanor Morse. They had been collecting Dali works for decades and wanted a permanent place to display them. It draws millions of visitors every year.
Besides the Dali Museum, St. Petersburg is home to other museums as well. The Museum of Fine Arts contains objects from every era of human history from the most ancient times through today. The Chihuly Collection houses a permanent collection from artist Dae Chihuly. The Florida Holocaust Museum gives a full presentation from its beginnings to its aftermath.
The land where the city sits was purchased in 1876 by John C. Williams. The small rural community greatly expanded when the Orange Belt Railway arrived in 1888. Incorporated in 1892, the town was named St. Petersburg after the Russian city of the same name. The city population grew throughout the 20th century, reaching almost 240,000 residents by 1980. The city's growth has slowed dramatically mainly due to an aging population as well as limited areas for new residential growth.
One thing St. Petersburg is known for is being a major hub for baseball spring training. Al Lang, a former mayor of the town, invited the St. Louis Browns to come to St. Petersburg for spring training in 1914. The streak of baseball spring training continued with the introduction of the professional baseball team, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1998. The team used historic Al Lang Stadium for their spring training while using Tropicana Field for their professional games. Spring training in St. Petersburg stopped in 2008 when they moved to Port Charlotte for preseason games.
Living in St. Petersburg
While well-known as a retirement center, St. Petersburg offers a beautiful place for families and singles to live and work. The city is home to major employers like Raymond James, the Home Shopping Network, and Jabil Circuit. Singles enjoy the nightlife at clubs such as Enigma, The Ale & The Witch, and The One Night Stand.
Enjoying the outdoors is easy for anyone living in St. Petersburg. Golf is a favorite pastime at courses like Mangrove Bay and Twin Brooks. The St. Petersburg Country Club offers a classic Florida vibe, beautiful grass, and stately oak trees on every fairway.
Now, St. Petersburg sits at the tip of a peninsula sticking out between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay. Water is part of life here. Boat owners usually dock their boats at The St. Petersburg Yacht Club, St. Petersburg Municipal Marina, and the Harborage Marina. Visitors and residents alike can enjoy sailboat tours of the bay and coast as well as kayak tours of the mangroves. Having dinner on a dining yacht is a special treat.
Nature lovers rejoice in taking an afternoon to stroll through the Weedon Island Preserve as well as Sunken Gardens. Sawgrass Lake Park gives visitors a chance to see alligators and other wildlife up close.
Lawn care in St. Petersburg
Property owners in St. Petersburg take great pride in having rich green lawns year-round. They often choose St. Augustine grass for their lawns. It is durable and tough enough to withstand the hot summer weather. It stays green year round as long as it gets enough water.
Other turf grass options include Bahia and Zoysia. Bahia is an excellent choice due to its fine texture as well as its drought hardiness. It grows well in the sandy St. Petersburg soil. Zoysia, while not as popular, is an excellent choice for areas that receive a lot of foot traffic or that receive an extended amount of shade.
Golf courses and athletic fields use Bermuda grass under the hot Florida sun. It rebounds quite well after heavy use.
Lawn Love can help you find the lawn care maintenance professionals to keep your yard looking the best in the neighborhood. Just give us your address to get started. Don't let your lawn suffer. Get started with Lawn Love today.
