St. Petersburg history

Timeline

1. 1830s–40s — Homesteads. Settlers set up homesteads, planting citrus and raising animals.
2. 1868 — First Black settlers. John Donaldson and Anna Germain arrived, the area's first Black settlers.
3. 1875 — Williams buys land. John Constantine Williams of Detroit bought 2,500 acres of waterfront land.
4. 1888 — The first train. Peter Demens extended the Orange Belt Railroad; the first train carried one passenger. Legend says a coin toss let Demens name the city.
5. 1892 — Town incorporated. St. Petersburg was incorporated as a town on February 29.
6. 1903 — City incorporated. With a few hundred residents, it reincorporated as a city.
7. 1914 — Spring training and flight. Al Lang brought the St. Louis Browns for spring training, and Tony Jannus flew across Tampa Bay in 23 minutes.

Sources: City of St. Petersburg — History of St. Pete. Checked Oct 9, 2026.

Museums & historic sites

• St. Petersburg Museum of History · 335 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

  The city's history museum.

  Hours & admissionDirections
• The Dalí Museum · One Dali Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

  Art museum; check its site for exhibits and tickets.

  Hours & admissionDirections