Headlines through the years

By JULIE CHURCH

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 8, 2001

A look back at the events, people and places that made North Pinellas the unique place that it is. The information is compiled from past editions of the St. Petersburg Times.

New Clearwater hotel is nearing completion

CLEARWATER -- (May 18, 1926) Evidence of the finishing touches being applied to the Hotel Fort Harrison are being revealed in the planting of large palms in front of the building, the laying of the sidewalk and the placing of lamps on the balcony that runs the full length of the front of the building.

The corner room that is to be occupied by the new First National Bank is being rapidly completed. Other rooms will be occupied by the Haley Realty Co., of which Ed A. Haley, builder of the hotel, is the head; an exclusive shoe store of the Peacock Shoe Co. of St. Petersburg; and a rug store to be opened by Ames and Hannah.

Haley desires to fill the store rooms with a diversified number of businesses that will make the building resemble a small city when finished.

Clearwater seeks area for Negro beach

CLEARWATER -- (April 22, 1958) The city will request the state Road Department designate a 500-foot stretch along the Courtney Campbell Causeway as a Negro beach area.

The commission authorized City Attorney Ben Krentzman to make the request and provide space for a facility similar to the one on the Sunshine Skyway.

The area sought would begin at the west end of the western causeway bridge and extend 500 feet on each side of the road.

Mayor Lewis H. Homer said the old Negro beach area north of the causeway had been studied and it was determined that it was no longer suitable. The city hopes to have the new beach ready this summer.

Fund for Boys Club reaches $1,850

DUNEDIN -- (April 9, 1944) E.L. McElfresh, chairman of the Dunedin Boys Club, recently organized for boys between the ages of 15 and 20, announced that he has collected $1,850 for the construction of a Youth Center Recreation Building.

Plans are now being drawn for a 50- by 70-square-foot building to be of fireproof construction, with a concrete floor. The building will be on Main Street, across from the Dunedin Times Building.

Resident denied right to return

TARPON SPRINGS -- (March 21, 1932) Mrs. G.B. Harshaw was denied the right to return to the United States from Canada recently, even though she has lived in this city for 40 years.

Mrs. Harshaw, one of Tarpon Springs' oldest residents, owns considerable property here, her children live here and her husband died and was buried here.

She frequently travels back to her hometown of Barrie, Ontario, to visit friends and relatives. On her most recent visit she was denied re-entry to the country, because she failed to apply for citizenship papers.

Mrs. Harshaw is preparing an affidavit form to present to authorities that will prove she should be readmitted.

-- Julie Church compiles the history column. She can be reached at (727) 445-4229 or

church@sptimes.com.

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