7311 4th Ave So. St. Petersburg (was 7811 in 1925-26)
Top photo 1925
From a 1981 Sales Ad: “This Spanish Hacienda captures all the charm and grace of the early 1900’s. Main house with enormous living room, formal dining room and breezy veranda. 4 bedroom and 4 ½ baths, 3 car garage with second floor apartment and kitchen. Double corner lot. 150 X 127.”
This house was built in 1925 by Samuel Voss “S.V.” Schooley (builder/contractor) for William and Annie Brownback.
S.V. Schooley – 1923
William and Annie Brownback
William Michael Brownback was born in Kimberton, Pa. on October 3, 1863, the youngest of three children. In 1867 the family moved to Linfield, Pa. where William’s father started a stove manufacturing company.
William received his education in private schools and attended Ursinus College where his father was on the board. At age 18, William joined his father’s stove business working in sales. On January 26, 1889, William married Ms. Annie Crawford Yocum, a young girl from Bryn Mawr, Pa., whose family was one of the most prestigious in that area. Annie’s ancestors’ land and homestead was deeded to them by William Penn. William and Annie had two children, Emily in 1890 and Helen in 1891.
In 1893, William left his father’s business to take a position as manager of the Richmond Stove Co. in Norwich, CT. From there he went in 1899 to Yale & Towne Lock Co., in Philadelphia. And finally in 1909 returned to running his father’s stove company after his father died. During this time, he also opened the Oakland Motor Car Co. in Philadelphia.
By 1916, William and Annie began spending their winters in St. Pete., and in their 9th season here purchased this new home in the Pasadena Estates. In 1930, their eldest daughter Emily died from an intestinal blockage, she was 40 years old. Helen had married and moved to Pasadena California with her husband.
William and Annie were active in the St. Pete society scene and William dabbled in local politics from the fringes, not wanting to take an official positions due to his seasonal status. However, he did fight vehemently against Walter Fuller and the prospect of dredging and filling the fingers between Treasure Island and the mainland. William also spearheaded a neighborhood effort in 1936 to clean up the Pasadena area vacant lots that were said to have overgrowth as tall as a grown man. The project was completed at no cost to the city.
Annie fell and broke her hip in August of 1939, and died four months later, she was 73. William lived until April 16, 1941, when he passed away while visiting his daughter Helen in Pasadena California. Helen put the South Pasadena house up for sale, and it was immediately purchased by Dixie and Clara Hollins.
Dixie Hollins
Dixie Martin Hollins was born on November 2, 1887, in Pattonville, Tx., and attended Bowling Green Normal School in Bowling Green, KY. While in Kentucky he met Ms. Allie LaRue Cole, a schoolteacher ten years his senior. The two fell in love and as soon as Dixie completed his teacher’s certificate in 1907, they were married. The couple had four children, James Maxwell (1907); Dixie Jr. (1908); Joseph Howard “Hugo” (1910) and Maurice LaRue (1912).
Dixie and Allie moved to Clearwater in 1908 where Dixie took a position as Principal of South Ward Elementary School, a position he held until 1911.
1911 was a tough year for Dixie and Allie, on April 19th their young son Hugo died of infant cholera, he was 13 months old. Seven months later, on November 15th, their eldest son, James died, he was 4, leaving 3 year old Dixie Jr. as an only child until 1912, when his brother Maurice was born.
1912 would prove to be a landmark year for Dixie and Allie, not only because of the birth of Maurice, but also Dixie, then age 24, was appointed by Florida Governor Albert Gilchrist, to be the first Superintendent of Schools in the newly formed Pinellas County. His job entailed traveling to various schools over dirt roads in a horse and buggy. Dixie kept this position until 1920 when he went into private business.
Clara Hollins
In early 1928, Dixie and Allie divorced, and Dixie married Ms. Clara Mabel Bohn a few months later. Dixie lost his third son, Dixie Jr. on December 2, 1938, when he died from pneumonia at age 30. At the time Dixie Jr. was assistant manager of the Pasadena Golf and Country Club. The only living child remaining was Maurice, who lived to be 79, passing away in 1991.
Dixie owned the St. Petersburg Printing Company and the Pasadena Golf and Country Club. He donated the land for both Madeira Beach elementary and middle schools. In 1960 he was honored with the newest Pinellas County High School being named for him, Dixie Hollins High School. Recently the name was changed to simply Hollins High School.
Dixie Hollins died on October 6, 1962, age 65 and is buried at Clearwater Municipal Cemetery. Clara died in 1981. This house would later be sold and attached to the Spanish style house at 320 Park Street (where 1920’s Golf Pro Walter Hagen had once lived) and become known as the “Tony Little House”.
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320 Park Street South
Top photo 1924
Many of us know this home as the “Tony Little” house, which had been combined/connected with another Spanish style home to make a HUGE estate.
But did you know that in 1924 it was the home of Walter Hagen, golf pro? Hagen was an American professional golfer and a major figure in golf in the first half of the 20th century. His tally of 11 professional majors is third behind Jack Nicklaus (18) and Tiger Woods (15). Hagen is widely considered one of the greatest golfers ever.
Walter Hagen on Park Street in front his home at 320
Handsome Jack Taylor, developer of the Pasadena Estates, in 1923 had procured Walter Hagen, then at the height of his career to be co-owner and manager/developer of the Bear Creek Golf Course (at the Bear Creek Golf and Country Club) the entrance to which was through the Coquina Archway on 64th Street at Emerson Ave So. (today’s street names—as they were different names in 1923-25) in the new ‘Pasadena on the Gulf Section’. The Bear Creek Golf Course would a year or so later become the ‘Pasadena Golf and Country Club’ of which Walter Hagen was the manager.
(L-R Jack Taylor; Walter Hagen)
Hagen purchased the new Schooley-Murphy (Builders) home at 320 Park Street So. where he lived with his wife and bird dog. A year later, in 1925, another famous sportsman purchased a home a few blocks from Hagen —- Babe Ruth —-both men were well known at Jungle Golf and Country Club and played many rounds of golf together.
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100 72nd St So. St. Petersburg, Fl. 33707
From 1923: “This beautiful home in Pasadena constructed by the Empire Home Building association of New York city, was purchased last week by Mrs. Jessie McKay, of Woodstock, Ontario, Canada., a winter visitor who is delighted with life in St. Petersburg. Mrs. McKay’s home is located on First Avenue South, at Seventy-second street. It stands at a splendid elevation, commanding a wide view of Boca Ciega bay. It is model home No. 1 of a number of residences at Pasadena which the Empire Home Building association has contracted to build. The house contains six rooms, three sleeping porches and two sun parlors. The first floor is tiled throughout with Spanish tile. The residence has tiled baths, with standard plumbing throughout, and is equipped with the latest electrical equipment and appliances according to standard plans adopted by the National Electrical association. Tiled roof, general architectural plan, the careful ground arrangement, and the harmony of every part of the building gives the place splendid artistic effects. Mrs. McKay’s husband is a prominent attorney in Canada and is a member of the King’s Council (KC) of the Canadian Government.”
Samuel and Jessie McKay purchased this house upon its completion in 1923, after having come to St. Pete the winter of 1922 to see if they liked the area. Samuel, of Woodstock, Ontario, was born February 19, 1856. He attended the public and High schools, where he received his early educational training, and finished at New Glasgow College, Nova Scotia. He began the study of law with Ball, Matheson & Ball, Woodstock, and finished with Blake, Kerr, Boyd & Cassels, Toronto. He was admitted to the Bar in 1881, and at once began the practice of his profession in his native town. In 1882 he entered partnership with W. G. Eakins, under the firm name of Eakins & McKay. This partnership lasted for one year. Samuel then entered in partnership with H. J. Finkle, under the title of Finkle & McKay. This firm continued for three years, when, in the year 1886, W. T. McMullen was admitted a member of the firm, which became Finkle, McKay & McMullen. Samuel was married on the September 29, 1886, to Miss Jessie Agnes Campbell, of Woodstock. The couple had two children, Muriel (1887) and Craig (1889). In June of 1891, Samuel withdrew from the firm of Finkle, McKay & McMullen in order to practice alone. In 1901, Samuel entered in partnership with George F. Mahon, with whom he stayed partners until the time of his death, twenty-seven years later. Samuel was president of the Woodstock Electric Light Power and Street Railway Co., and one of the owners and a director of the Woodstock Gas Light Co. He was a member of the Society of Fraternal Guardians, the Royal Arcanum, the Independent Order of Foresters, and the Home Protection Association, being president of the later society. He was a member of Knox Presbyterian Church.
Samuel and Jessie purchased this house in 1923 and were active in social and community affairs during their winters here. Muriel, having never married, spent the winter here with her parents.
Samuel died in this house on July 15, 1928, at the age of 71 and was buried at Woodstock. In 1937, Jessie deeded the house to Muriel. In 1940, Muriel sold the house to Charles John Krehbiel. Jessie died on January 14, 1948, and was buried next to Samuel at Woodstock Presbyterian Cemetery in Woodstock, Ontario.
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7318 2nd Ave So.
From 1933: “Pasadena Waterfront Section. Enjoy the gorgeous sunsets over Boca Ciega Bay from the porch of this attractive hollow tile and stucco home in this highly desired residential section. Newly decorated inside and out; brick foundation; large living and dining rooms with beamed ceilings, fireplace, French doors; 4 bedrooms, tile bath, butler’s pantry with built-in cabinets; large copper screened tiled porch; 2-car garage, Lot 75 X 127 feet. All improvements. The buy of the year!. Price $4,000. Very reasonable terms at 6%. Sold by Irving A. Wilfore, Central Service Corp.”
This house was built in 1919 and first lived in by Edgar and Minnie Fox and their son Frank. Edgar H. Fox was born on July 19, 1871, in Germany and immigrated with his parents to America by the time he was nine years old. The family settled in Chicago Illinois and his father owned a dry goods store. Edgar was educated in the Chicago school system and upon graduating High School went into business with his father, ultimately taking over the very successful business. On August 21, 1899, Edgar married Ms. Minnie Mackert and the couple had one child, Frank (1900). In 1920, at age 49, Edgar and Minnie decided to retire and move away from the windy city to the sunny south. They chose St. Pete as their new home and moved into this newly built home in Pasadena. The Fox family enjoyed this home until Edgar passed away unexpectedly on March 4, 1926. Edgar was buried in Oak Woods Cemetery in Chicago.
After Edgar’s passing the house was sold to Ms. Vera Jennings in 1934 who lived there until 1937. The next owners of the home were George and Irma Simmons who lived there from 1938 until 1966. George was a retired US Navy Commander who was a WWI veteran. George died on December 3, 1964, at Bay Pines Hospital, he was 72. Irma sold the house to John F. May on October 24, 1966. The May family is still living in the house to this day, it being owned now by John May’s grandson, James.
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7211 2nd Ave So.
From 1932: “The word “ideal” is often misused, but this is really an ideal home. Excellent location and surroundings. 2-STORY HOLLOW TILE HOME IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. First floor has living room, dining room, kitchen and breakfast room. Second floor has three lovely bedrooms, tile bath, extra lavatory and two screened sleeping porches. Very nice furnished. Also, Garage Apartment. Large lot with beautiful flowers, fruit and shrubbery. Price has been cut to $5,000 to effect a quick sale.”
This home, built in the late 1920’s was rented seasonally for many years. The first family to purchase, and live full time in it, were Mr. and Mrs. Albert Julius Korabeck from 1937 – 1946. Albert Korabeck Jr. was born on February 17, 1884, in Cleveland Ohio. Albert, the second oldest of 5 children, received his schooling in the local schools. After graduating he found work as a mechanical engineer. By the outbreak of WWI Albert had lost his job, he was 34 years old and in need of a change of venue. By 1919 he had relocated to St. Pete, having read of the many opportunities that were opening up here. Like many people who came to the Sunshine City, Albert began selling real estate. On March 31, 1926 Albert, then 42 years old, married Ms. Elizabeth W. Rowland (born in Knoxville TN) who was 39. The couple had one child, a son, Albert III, born on June 8, 1927.
The depression hit the Korabeck’s hard and like so many of the multitudes of realtors in the city, Albert gave up on trying to sell real estate. He did have a talent to fall back on however, he was an amazing gardener and had a green thumb. He landed a job as head gardener at the Rolyat Hotel and when it closed its doors and sold to the Florida Military Academy, he stayed on there as gardener. For fifteen years Albert worked as landscaper and gardener at this historic building.
In 1937, Albert and Elizabeth purchased this featured house and set up housekeeping. Their son, Albert III, grew up in this house and the family attended Pasadena Community Church two blocks away. Albert III attended the Junior School at Florida Military Academy and then went to Aiken Open Air school for High School, from which he graduated in 1945. WWII was just ending as Albert III enlisted in the Navy. He was sworn in at Jacksonville on March 15, 1945, six months before the end of the war.
With their son of in the military, the house became too big for Albert and Elizabeth and in 1946 they sold it to Mrs. Lillian A. Scott and moved to a smaller house at 5027 1st Ave No., where they lived out the remainder of their lives. Albert died on January 2, 1964, at the age of 80 and Elizabeth died on February 15, 1972, at the age of 85. They are both buried in Memorial Park Cemetery in St. Pete. Their son Albert III died in 1985 in Sacramento California, he was 58.
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430 72nd St. So. (was 77th St in 1926)
From 1926: “Built by W.H. Price — A Show Place in Pasadena. Plain but artistic in design, of the true Spanish type, built as good as man and material can build of hollow tile, finished with stucco of modest but attractive design, driveway at side entrance with Porti Cochere. Interior finish and arrangement of rooms strictly in keeping with a home of this type. Living room 18 X 32 feet with arch beam ceiling and beautiful balcony overlooking. Dining room, kitchen, breakfast room, pantry, 1 bed room and bath first floor; 3 bed rooms, 2 baths, one with shower, on second floor; completely and richly furnished throughout, including electric grand piano, Grandfather’s Clock with chimes and many other unusual furnishing. Arcola hot water heating system, Pasadena water and well with electric pump, Leonard electric refrigerator, laundry trays in the spacious two-car garage; Lot 75 X 207; beautiful walled patio with fountain, overlooked by porches and balconies on both floors (60,000). Being sold by Green & Richman, Realtors.”
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7127 (was 7627 in 1924) 2nd Ave So.
From 1924: “This Pasadena Home was designed by C. Sedgwick Moss and is being built by Schooley-Murphy. It has 4 large bedrooms, 3 tiled baths, 2 car garage with servants quarters and laundry. Lot 225 X 127.”
In 1950 this house became the parsonage for Pasadena Community Church and was the residence of their long time pastor, Dr. J. Wallace Hamilton. Some years later the parsonage moved and this home went into private ownership again.
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7211 3rd Ave So (1925 address was 7711 3rd Ave So)
Description in 1925 Ad — “This unusual home is located in Pasadena. It consists of 8 rooms, two sleeping porches, 2 baths, besides extra wash room in entrance hall. The home was completed in December 1924, and was built to the present owner’s specifications. It is beautifully and artistically furnished ready for the reception of a family who will find it wonderfully complete. Among the things which will distinguish it as such are: Hard wood floors throughout, basement, furnace, unusually strong foundation and convenient arrangement. The lot is 75 X 127. Beautifully landscaped with 700 beautiful and well chosen plants. 2 car garage also contains servants’ quarters with bath and laundry. This home is offered for sale only because the owner is compelled because of business reasons to remove to California. This home may be purchased for $31,000 with convenient arranged terms. Sold by Owner, William G. Marvin”
William Glenn Marvin (born Nov 16, 1892 in Aberdeen Ohio) was first owner of this home in 1924. He was a prominent (and internationally known) lawyer from New York and was personal friends with Handsome Jack Taylor (developer of Pasadena Estates) and Walter Hagen (professional golfer, president of Bear Creek Golf & Country Club as well as Pasadena resident). Jack Taylor convinced William Marvin to come visit Pasadena and its adjoining golf courses (Bear Creek and Jungle) and decide for himself if he liked the area.
William G. Marvin was taken with the location and the hospitality of his friends Taylor and Hagen and decided to purchase property in Pasadena and have a house built to his specifications (those specs listed above). Marvin, of course, brought his wife Charlotte and his children with him to Pasadena. William soon became involved with all things golf in the area and became a member of the Bear Creek Golf Club where he frequently played gold with Jack Taylor and Walter Hagen. He became so involved that he was soon elected President of the West Coast Golf Association (1924).
William had business offers however in California and decided that he would move west. So, in 1925 he put his home on 3rd Ave So on the market and moved his family to California. William G. Marvin died at age 40 in Palo Alto California and is buried at Alta Mesa Memorial Park alongside his wife Charlotte who died at age 81 in 1970.
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7003 Park St. So. 33707
From 1931: “Beautiful Spanish home of four bedrooms and three tile baths; hot water heated by oil burner; electric refrigeration; tiled kitchen; tiled porches; Furnished; 85 X147 lot; 2-car garage. $21,000.”
This Pasadena Estates Home was purchased in 1931 by Jonathan and Vivian Coxon.
Jonathan Frederick Coxon was born on June 28, 1879, in Trenton, NJ. To Jonathan and Hannah Coxon. His father, an English immigrant, was in the pottery business and was superintendent for the Ott & Brewer, Foreman at International Pottery, a superintendent for Anchor Pottery, a senior modeler at Mercer Pottery Co., and started the Ceramic Art Co with Walter Lenox. Unfortunately for Coxon Sr., he sold out his shares to Walter Lenox in 1896 – some 20 years before it was renamed to Lenox China Co.
Jonathan Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps and studied the art of pottery making. By age 18 he was making pottery molds at his father’s factory, while learning all aspects of the business.
By age 25 Jonathan had relocated to Tiffin Ohio, where he was superintendent at a pottery factory in that city. While in Tiffin, Jonathan met the young Ms. Vivian Emery Kenyon, two years his junior. Vivian, a soprano, studied opera at Chicago Music College and was working as a music teacher and operatic performer. The couple fell in love and were soon married. The ceremony was held at her parent’s house in Quincy, Michigan.
Jonathan and Vivian moved back to Tiffin and set up housekeeping. They had three children, Lygustia, named for her mother, but went by Gussie (1911); Vivian (1919) who died in infancy; and Frederick (1923).
Jonathan kept expanding his business interests and opened the Wooster Pottery Company in Wooster Ohio, and the Coxon Beleek China Co. Jonathan and Vivian did very well financially and by the early 1930’s had decided to winter in the sunny south.
The Sunshine City was chosen as their winter playground which would have plenty of activities for them and their 20 year old daughter and 8 year old son.
Jonathan died on September 28, 1951, while summering in Michigan and is buried at Lake View Cemetery in Quincy, Michigan, he was 72. Vivian lived another 11 years and passed away in St. Pete on July 19, 1962, at age 81. She is buried beside Jonathan.
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7023 Mango Ave So.
From 1926: “Hollow tile construction. Strictly fireproof. 3 Bedrooms and 2 baths up and 1 bedroom and 1 bath down. Living room with fireplace, dining room, kitchen and breakfast room. Large butler’s pantry and ample utility area. Screened porch affords splendid view of landscaped grounds with palms, pines and fruit trees. 3 car garage with servant’s quarters. Sold by Empire Realty and Development Co. (417 1st Ave No)”
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7210 3rd Ave So. (was originally 7710 3rd Ave So.)
In 1924: “This beautiful home is one of the charming houses of the Pasadena type. It is the home of Mrs. Oswald Yorke, known to American playgoers as the famous Annie Russell, who has delighted thousands by her stage and film presentations. This home was built a year ago, and is of simple, graceful and attractive design. It has an outlook over Boca Ciega Bay, and its location among the pines of Pasadena lends to it a charm that is wonderfully alluring. This will be Mrs. Yorke’s permanent residence as soon as furniture arrives from New York. Mrs. Yorke, delighted with Pasadena expects to remain here most of the year. The breezes blowing across the Gulf of Mexico and Boca Ciega Bay will make this sight especially pleasant throughout the summer months, as well as the winter. Mrs. Yorke has purchased the corner lot adjoining he home in order that she may have a beautiful garden.”
Annie Russell moved to Winter Park in the early 1930’s where she died. She had become a teacher of theater and drama at Rollins College which later named the Theater in her memory. https://www.rollins.edu/annie-russell-theatre/ Annie Russell died in 1936. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annie_Russell
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6926 Mango Ave (house number was 7220 in 1925)
In 1925 Victor McLean of the real estate firm McLean, Rector & Scott, purchased from builder S.V. Schooley this new house on Mango Ave. for $35,000. This house was the fourth sold by Schooley in Pasadena over a three week period.
By 1939 the Honorable Jesse Sewell Jones, ex-Tennessee legislator, and his wife Lotta (Lottie) Cornell Jones, had moved into the home. Jesse S. Jones died unexpectedly at home in 1949 at age 61. His wife Lottie found he had died in bed and just weeks after having received a clean bill of health by his doctor.
It was early 1954 when Lottie Jones had come home from an evening out with a friend at the theater and when she entered her home was assaulted by two men who beat her about the face (nearly blinding her in one eye), gagged and tied her to a chair with strips of bed sheets, curtains and an electrical cord. The assailants ripped three diamond rings from her hands, estimated value at the time was $7,000 – $10,000. After the men fled the house Lottie Jones was able to free a hand from her bindings, retrieved a butcher knife they had left behind and cut herself free from the bindings. St. Petersburg detective Sgt. Early Newberry was able to make an arrest in the case. The two men apprehended were Milton Spitzer and Harry Cohen of Miami Beach. The papers never explained how Sgt. Newberry was able to identify Spitzer and Cohen as suspects, but it did say that Lottie Jones was able to make a positive identification of Milton Spitzer. This is the last mention in the paper about this incident and no court outcome was ever printed.
Lottie Jones died three years later at age 78.
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7220 2nd Ave So.
From a 1925 Ad: Built by Schooley-Murphy with “Spanish and Venetian” architecture. Coral rock trimmings at the entrances, 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, sun room and sleeping porch. Being sold by Pasadena Estate Sales Office.
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438 Villa Grande Ave So
From a 1940 Sales Ad: “One of the best designed and constructed new houses in St. Petersburg. Beautiful surroundings, spacious lawn with sprinkler and a house that will appeal to the most exacting. The owner spared no expense in the construction. We cannot adequately describe the many unusual features built in for your convenience. It consists of 1 bedroom and a complete tile bathroom downstairs, an extra lavatory wand wash bowl. Also, a reception room, living room, dining room, kitchen, electrically equipped and air-conditioned with rubber tile floor. Oil furnace in basement. Every room is heated. A circular stairway takes you upstairs to 2 large, well-ventilated bedrooms with cedar closets and a complete tile bathroom (beautiful tile work). In addition, there is a 2-car garage with laundry tubs. A nice patio. Steel casement windows. Tile roof. If you appreciate beauty, symmetry, and fine workmanship you should see this house. Contractor, E.N. Staples, will be there to explain construction and various features.”
This house was built by E.N. Staples, local contractor/designer, and builder. Edward Nelson Staples was born on June 30, 1893, in Taunton, Massachusetts, the eldest of six children, his father worked in a silver shop. Edward received his schooling in Taunton and at age 16 dropped out of school to become an apprentice at the silver shop where his father worked.
While working at the silver shop, young Edward met Ms. Ethel Irene MacInnes (also from Taunton) and the couple struck up a relationship and began dating. On January 10, 1915, the couple were married and set up housekeeping in Taunton.
When the US entered WWI, Edward signed up for the US Army and was stationed in Springfield Ma., where the Army took advantage of his training in the metallurgic field and assigned him as a drop forger and die sinker. After the war, Edward took a job in the Detroit auto industry working as a die caster but wasn’t very excited about the harsh winters. In 1921, he and Ethel escaped the winter in Detroit and spent the time here in the Sunshine City. This winter trip to our town was all it took for them to decide that they were going to make this their permanent home. They packed their northern belongings and moved to St. Pete permanently in 1922.
In 1926, Edward and Ethel had their only child, Lois.
The boom was just beginning, and Edward saw the need for new home construction and began a building firm, the E.N. Staples Building Co. located at 3700 1st Ave No. Edward’s company survived the market crash and he continued to build homes until his death from a heart attack on February 24, 1958, at age 64. Edward is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery in St. Pete. Funeral services were rendered by Nitram Masonic Lodge where Edward was an active member. At his passing, Edward was serving as Vice-President of Home Federal Savings and Loan and was a life member of the Pinellas County Contractors and Builders Association. Other local organizations he belonged to included the Yacht Club, Quarterback Club, Shriners and Grotto.
Ethel passed away on December 14, 1983, in Myrtle Beach. She was buried next to Edward at Memorial Park.
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441 Villa Grande Ave.
Built by W. Scott Serviss in 1925. Described as a “stately Tudor style home”. Scott Serviss was a local builder/contractor who built many homes in St. Pete in the 1920’s. He built, lived and ran his business from his own home at 201 72nd Street No….which I posted a picture of recently.
Notice the addition of the round room/porch on the front left hand corner of the house.
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6934 Date Palm (was 7310 Date Palm in 1927)
From 1926: “10,000 cash and assumption of 13-year, 7% mortgage. — This charming home, constructed of hollow tile, was built last year. Large living room with fireplace, dining room, kitchen, sun parlor, Breakfast Room, It is steam heated throughout, has three delightful bedrooms and two baths. Beautiful grass and shrubbery; a two-car garage. Lot 145 X 160. This is a wonderful bargain — having been listed with us formerly at 31,750. S.V. Schooley, Owner and Builder.”
This house was initially purchased from the builder, S.V. Schooley, by Robert Stock a local Realtor who was affectionately referred to as the ‘Mayor of Pasadena’–although he was not. In 1929 Stock sold the house to James McGregor Jr. who had just retired to St. Pete from Michigan (although the family had been wintering here since 1919).
McGregor was born on February 28, 1856 in Centralia Illinois and was one of 8 children. The family had relocated by 1858 to Saginaw Michigan where James grew up. James had taken a job in a local Boiler Factory and by 1877 had married Sophronia Gonyea. Within a year the two had a daughter, Elizabeth. In 1879 they had their second daughter Ellen who unfortunately died in 1882 at age 3. Apparently the death had played its toll on their relationship because in 1884 the two were divorced and custody of Elizabeth given to James. Sophronia did not show up to court nor did she have representation. After a time James met Lillie Maud Hall, 14 years his junior, and the two were married in 1887. Maud, as she was called, had three daughters with James, those being Jennie (who died at 1 week old), Hazel and Garnet. By 1902 James had saved enough to purchase Cheboygan Boiler Works in Cheboygan, Michigan and by 1906 was elected Mayor of that city. Business boomed for James and he built a very substantial estate. By 1919 the McGregors were spending their winters in St. Petersburg but returning to Michigan for the summers. In 1929 James retired and moved his family to St. Petersburg permanently. He chose as his home the house pictured in this post which he lived in until the time of his death on March 10, 1942 at age 86. Maud stayed in the house until 1952 when she sold it to Col. LeLand S. Smith, Ret. In all the McGregors lived in the house for 23 years.
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