Here are two stories:
Hillsborough High Majesty RestoredThe Tampa Tribune Thu, 30 Mar 2006 5:11 AM PST SEMINOLE HEIGHTS - A two-year renovation of Hillsborough High School is complete. Construction trailers are gone. The campus lawn is replanted with sod.
Nonprofit Organization Sells CabinsThe Tampa Tribune Thu, 30 Mar 2006 5:13 AM PST For nearly five years, the tiny cottages known as Live Oak Cabins have been transitional housing for low-income residents, often those with bad credit or a criminal history
Beverly Morrow came up with a good idea. How about moving the cabins to the Sulphur Springs Water Tower Park?
It would be a shame to lose the last of the old Motor Courts. You can still find post cards of the many courts which dotted Nebraska. Cars dramatically changed the landscape and future of Florida. They brought the first tourists who generally camped and ate out of tin cans, thus "Tin Can Tourists". The next logical step was to create mini-houses for the tourists to stay in, instead of a big hotel. Many of these Motor Courts were mom and pop places and sometimes included a restaurant, gas station and church.
ReplyDeleteThis Motor Court calls back to a time when Seminole Heights had a touristy feel to it. Boyd's Gas Station, where the Citgo is now, used to have a zoo with a monkey dressed as a service attendant.
It would be a shame to lose these.
On a side note, Helen and I know the new owner. He let us use his house for the summer bluegrass picnic last year. Very nice guy and does very nice work. I can understand how the cabins are in too bad a shape to restore or they are too small to do anything with. I love Beverly's idea of moving them to the tower park. Sulphur Springs is the reason why they are here. At least have one or two moved, maybe to be used as park offices?
Good ideas and comments Jeff. I hope the neighborhood can work together - civily - to find a way to save them (if they can be saved) and still make good use of the space. I think it's fairly clear they aren't doing much for the neighborhood as is.
ReplyDeletePReSON, People were saying that about the bungalows in Seminole Heights merely a decade ago.
ReplyDeletepreson should be thrown in the river.
ReplyDeletePReSON is right, to fill Sulphur springs with these cabins that are falling apart makes no sense. Hey Shawn, comparing these old cabins on a single property to the bungalows throughout SH is kind of a stretch. On another note, thankfully Gas Stations can no longer have zoos attached with monkeys dressed as a service attendant for some distorted form of a amusement.
ReplyDeleteWooden shacks?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pinellascounty.org/Heritage/default.htm
Pinellas County’s Heritage Village is a 21-acre, open-air historical village and museum located in the heart of Pinellas County. The natural pine and palmetto landscape is home to some of Pinellas County’s most historic buildings.
First opened to the public in 1976, Heritage Village is funded in its operations by the Board of County Commissioners and supported in its activities by the Pinellas County Historical Society and other community groups.
There are 28 structures, some dating back to the mid-to late- 19th century. The Village includes a school, church, railroad depot, and store as well as a variety of historic homes. The homes range from the McMullen-Coachman Log Cabin, the oldest existing structure in the County, to the magnificent Victorian-era House of Seven Gables. Also on the grounds of Heritage Village is the Pinellas County Historical Museum. The Museum’s exhibits trace the history of Pinellas County from the Indian-Spanish period to contemporary times. The Museum also has a 3,500-volume library and archives containing historic photographs, maps, special collections and other materials relating to the history of Pinellas County. Heritage Village is also the site of the Daniel McMullen Home for the Fiber Arts. Weaving, quilting, and other crafts are demonstrated at Heritage Village as part of its "hands-on" approach to history. A Country Jubilee is held annually in October; other events are scheduled throughout the year.
Size matters? :-)
ReplyDeleteThese "shacks" are in the same condition many of the bungalows we've carefully restored are in. Their size doesn't make the task of restoring them any different; the materials and labor are the same; the goal is the same.
A grouping of these in the Sulphur Springs area could be restored and used as museums, public restrooms, or other public purposes. Heck, they can even be used in the manner originally intended once the area regains some of its former charm.
there is plenty of property to buy and develpment in seminole heights and sulphur springs so why dont people buy something that doesnt have historical or architechural value? leave what is unique about our area alone.
ReplyDeleteI know the new owner and I know exactly what is going to be done with the property. Its going to be a hell of a lot better than it is now. It wont be housing drug rehabbers that's for sure. Look, its not in the historic district, they're falling apart and if you want the cabins so much come up with the money to move them yourself. Greg's a business man and I'm sure he'd be glad to sell you these piles of scap wood so he doesnt have to pay for demo.
ReplyDelete-Hank C.
As a neighbor that lives close to the property and will see it often, I'm not quick to agree that anything is better than what we have there now. As an example, A big empty treed lot is better, in my opinion, than the Family Dollar tin shed.
ReplyDeleteI have heard some very worrisome stories about the developer and how he's treated SE Seminole Heights. Until I see a plan for what will be going on the Log Cabin lot, I reserve judgement as to whether it'll be "better". Remember, the larger the development, the less likely a crummy one can be torn down. He if builds something that doesn't add character to the area, it'll eventually become just another eyesore we'll have to live with while he pockets the cash.
Anonymous: there are almost no large commercial lots on Nebraska avenue in Seminole Heights. This lot is one of the largest. The area needs commercial revitalization and this development has the opportunity to greatly affect the future of the area given its size. (...for better or worse) I fully support positive development on the property, though we may disagree on what is "positive".
They may look like run-down scrap, but when these are bulldozed away we will have lost one of the last examples of the motor court. Progress is good, but paving over Sulphur Springs history is not the way to achieve it. And while the lot isn't in a historic district, it is closely sandwiched between two of them and does quality for historic status in its own right. Saying "its not in the historic district" comes across as nothing more than "you can't legally make me preserve it." I hope I'm misinterpreting the tone of your comment here.
I'd love to see an EZ-pawn with a 24 hour Amscot. That would be great. Good spot for a laundry mat too.
ReplyDeleteanonymous 2:43 - you are just sooo stupid - go blog with someone that cares about your input.
ReplyDeleteI'm very curious...
ReplyDeletedoes anyone know what the plans are for the area surrounding the sulpher springs tower and along the river? It would be great fun if it were family-friendly.