Search results
Jun 20, 2024 · In her obituary, she is credited with holding the straws which her then-husband, John Williams, and Orange Belt Railway president, Peter Demens, drew to decide who had the right to name the city they had just founded—a story which later became a legendary coin flip.
4 days ago · The son of a farmer, Plant was born in Branford, CT on October 27, 1819. At the age of 18, he began working as a captain’s boy for the New Haven Steamboat Company. While with the Adams Express Company, Plant was transferred from steamboats to railroads. In 1853, due to his wife’s health, Plant arrived in Jacksonville and soon recognized the ...
Jul 9, 2024 · Not to be confused with St. Petersburg in Russia, St. Petersburg, Florida (often called “St. Pete”) boasts a rich history dating back to 1888 when John C. Williams and Peter Demens co-founded it. This coastal gem grew rapidly thanks to its sunny weather and strategic location on Tampa Bay.
Jul 8, 2024 · In 1885, Russian exile Peter Demens established the Orange Belt Railway, a narrow gauge line between Sanford and St. Petersburg, Florida. Later known as the Sanford & St. Petersburg Railroad, after an 1893 reorganization, the line carried citrus, vegetables, and passengers.
Jun 29, 2024 · Public waterfront access has been a symbol of St. Petersburg for well over 100 years. Peter Demens built the first pier for his Orange Belt Railroad in 1889. However, city …
5 days ago · Railroad owner Peter Demens named the town that grew near the railroad's terminus St. Petersburg in honor of his hometown. The town would incorporate in 1892. Other major towns in the county incorporated during this time were Clearwater (1891), Dunedin (1899), and Largo (1905).
Jun 27, 2024 · Demens Landing Park offers picnic areas, boat ramps, and beautiful views of the bay. It was constructed on the historic site of St. Petersburg's first railroad pier, built by Peter Demens in 1889. This waterfront park also hosts an annual Shakespeare in the Park theater show.
