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Gulfport |
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The sandy bluffs stretching several yards along the shore of Boca Ciega Bay must have been like heaven to the first family of Gulfport. James and Rebecca Barnett and Mrs. Barnett's three children from a former marriage were the first settlers in the present Gulfport area in 1867.
In 1884, Hamilton Disston came to what is now Gulfport with plans to develop Disston City on thousands of acres of land he owned on the lower peninsula. A large area was platted out into five and ten acre parcels. The plans also called for a wide road to be built along the waterfront. Disston built the Waldorf Hotel on the shores of Boca Ciega Bay along with a dock, three stores and some houses. For a few years Disston City was a reality. Disston was a very wealthy man and had great dreams for the city. A few people moved into the area and the first newspaper in the area, the "Sea Breeze", was published. His dreams were shattered when the railroad went into St. Petersburg instead of his planned city.
Gulfport became "Bonafacio" when the post office refused the named Disston City. In 1890 a young entrepreneur, Captain John F. Chase, saw in this community a chance to realize his dream. A dream that "Disston City at Bonafacio post office", would be a place where veterans of the Civil War could spend their last days. The residents agreed and readily adopted the name "Veteran City". Descriptive folders praising Veteran City reached all parts of the country. A few people responded and bought land, but Veteran City did not prosper. In 1905, a trolley line was built from St. Petersburg to Veteran City. With the extension of a pier into Boca Ciega Bay the area somewhat prospered. The area was officially incorporated, with the final name change to Gulfport on October 12, 1910 in the Gulfport Casino. Gulfport is an appropriate name since it is the point of embarkation for the Gulf of Mexico. The little town was beginning to grow.
Historic home styles in Gulfport include American Bungalow, Mediterranean Revival, Colonial Revival, Minimal Traditional, and Masonry and Frame Vernacular. Gulfport is currently undergoing a renaissance, with renovation of its cottages and homes centering around both the downtown Arts District, and the Marina. Opportunities abound for new homeowners. Gulfport has a population of approximately 12,000. Gulfport has a Mayor and Council, City Manager form of government. It also has a new City Hall/Police Complex, Library and Senior Citizens Center with numerous parks and recreational facilities including a marina. Many local residents still living in the area, can trace their lineage to the Barnett family of 1867. Gulfport boundaries are from the shores of Boca Ciega Bay on the south, Royal Palm Drive on the west, 7th Avenue South on the north, and 49th Street to 26th Avenue South and Clam Bayou on the east.
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