Headlines through the years

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.

By EILEEN SCHULTE

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 5, 2000

Dynamite blast kills Clearwater boy, 10

CLEARWATER -- Earl Wesley Ennis, 10, who was injured yesterday morning by an explosion of a box of dynamite caps in a tool shed at a grove on the Ridge Road south of Largo, died in the Plant hospital shortly before 5 yesterday afternoon.

Ennis was in such a weak condition when taken to the hospital that physicians decided that it would be useless to operate.

As far as can be learned, 20 caps used for exploding dynamite went off while young Mannis was in the tool house, which he had entered for the purpose of getting tools to repair the family automobile. Two brothers, Bob and Irvin Ennis, heard a terrific explosion and Irvin reached the wrecked tool shed in time to drag the victim of the explosion out of the debris. The Alexander ambulance took the injured man to the hospital.

The explosion of the caps was violent enough to throw iron bolts through the iron roof of the tool house, and it was quite badly wrecked. Under the box of caps which caused the damage was a box of dynamite which did not explode. The explosives were used in clearing land and had been stored by the father, Sam Lee Ennis.

Nov. 5, 1931

Belleair Town Hall near completion

CLEARWATER -- The new town hall for Belleair, donated and built by Donald Roebling, is rapidly nearing completion and will be ready for occupancy the first of next week.

The municipal building is a one-story structure of brick and hollow tile. It contains four offices and an assembly room. The walls are being plastered and the roof is of attractive tile. Location of the building is on the Belleair Estates mall, in what was formerly a recreation park.

Offices of the municipal departments of Belleair have been temporarily located in the Belleview Biltmore hotel, where the mayor, O.A. Judkins, has attended to the duties of his office.

The Belleair Police Department now has two new policemen. John Walker has been added to the day staff, while Ernest Eubanks will be on duty at night.

Nov. 5, 1931

Building activity busy in Clearwater

CLEARWATER -- Paul Ficht, city building inspector, reports much activity in repairs, improvements and small buildings, the total of these amounting to $5,525 during October.

Among the permits issued last month were these: A $1,500 dwelling on the Clearwater beach by Mrs. J.M. Morrow; $1,000 in repairs and improvements on the Davey building, Cleveland Street; $1,000 dwelling erected by Robert Lockett; and a dwelling to cost $800 by Laura Rowe.

Nov. 3, 1926

Radio aerials will be moved to city park

CLEARWATER -- Towers used to suspend the aerial of radio broadcasting station WGHB in Dunedin are to be moved in the city park on S Osceola Avenue, Clearwater, permission having been granted by the city commissioners for transfer. Use of a small building to house the mechanical equipment has been offered by the commissioners, and if this structure should not prove viable, Mr. Haley, owner of the broadcasting station, will be given a permit to erect a suitable building.

- The history column is compiled by Eileen Schulte. She can be reached at (727) 445-4229.

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