Historical Pinellas Park

In 1908 Franklin A. Davis purchased 21 square miles of wilderness located 7 miles Northwest of St. Petersburg. Davis transformed this wilderness into %u201CPinellas Farms%u201D, a development that attracted investors and farmers from across the country thanks to the fertile land and temperate climate. This new settlement opportunity would lead to the formation of the Town of Pinellas Park.

When Pinellas Park was first founded, The Florida Association attracted new residents by offering a free lot in the city with the purchase of 10 acres of nearby farm land for $25.00 an acre. In this map the dispersal of farmlands can still be seen, including the original farmstead, Model Farm No. 1, owned by P.J. McDevitt.

Pinellas Park boasted approximately 50 families in 1912. By the time the ink on this map had dried the population had boomed to roughly 2,000. This incredible growth was spurred by the reports of high yields in crops like sugar cane and citrus. The establishment of the Pinellas Park railroad station in 1912 also played a part, where new settlers arrived by the cartload. Today the City is home to over 50,000 residents, and serves as a popular destination in Pinellas County due to its series of Community Events, Festivals, and burgeoning Arts district.