About the Author
John L. Bailey is a Florida almost-native, living and growing up in Tampa from a very early age. He worked with WDAE radio during his college years, beginning at the University of Tampa, and later worked for television stations in the midwest as writer and producer of commercials and documentaries. One of these was awarded an Emmy in 1970 for best locally-produced production.
Later, as an independent producer, he received numerous awards for several productions, including the George Washington Bronze Medal from Freedom's Foundation for a documentary concerning The Amway Company, and four major industry awards for a sales promotional film for Tampa Maid Sea Products. While working for the State of Florida, he also received awards for Forestry training videos.
Bailey moved back to Florida in 1976, settling in Snell Isle in 1991 where he has been actively pursuing his interest in Florida history, particularly in Tampa and St. Petersburg. During much of recent years, he has provided historic walking tours in the area, mostly in Ybor City in Tampa, enjoying his retirement years.
Bailey moved back to Florida in 1976, settling in Snell Isle in 1991, when he married Patricia Calvert — a resident of the Isle since 1978. Since then, he has been actively pursuing his interest in Florida history, particularly in Tampa and St. Petersburg. During much of the recent years, he has provided historic walking tours in the area, mostly in Ybor City in Tampa, enjoying his retirement years.
Copyright
All articles are copyrighted by SIPOA and John Bailey.
The original clubhouse was built by C. Perry Snell in 1920-1921, marking the early development of Snell Isle. The clubhouse is still in operation today and unlike some of the buildings from the same era (The Don Cesar Hotel and the Bay Pines VA Hospital to name two) it has never changed function;
it has always remained a golf clubhouse.
Mr. Snell sold the clubhouse to the Clark (candy) family and during that ownership it was managed by E. P. (Bill) Cody who was a very prominent local golfer and golf enthusiast. Billy Watts became the manager and vice-president of the Course when the
Alsonette Hotel Corporation, purchased the clubhouse in 1948.
Read full article with historical images
The St. Petersburg Woman’s Club started on February 7, 1913 with 14 charter members, joining the Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs. Early meetings were held in many locations downtown and in 1922 a building fund was begun. The members hoped to build a club house near the waterfront.
During the Florida boom they were offered a sixty-five foot lot on Beach Drive for $55,000 and a one hundred foot lot on Fifth Avenue NE for $77,000. In 1924 they joined the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, the largest international women’s volunteer organization in the world. The club was also incorporated the same year, thereby paving the way to enable them to own property.
Read full article with historical images
