EXPERIENCE & EXPLORE
when Mayor Al Lang convinced
the St. Louis Browns to move to
the Sunshine City. In 1925, major
league teams like the New York
Yankees, New York Mets, and
Baltimore Orioles began coming
for spring training. Over the
decades, iconic ball players such
as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe
DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle were
spotted regularly in the city.
The 1940s and WWII brought
more changes as St. Pete became
a training ground for the military.
Hundreds of soldiers filled local
hotels. After the war and the
introduction of air conditioning, many
soldiers returned with their families,
and so did retirees. Learn more at
the St. Petersburg Museum of History
www.spmoh.com/explore/exhibits.
St. Petersburg Museum of History
FIRST COMMERCIAL FLIGHT
St. Petersburg is the birthplace of
commercial aviation. On January 1, 1914,
Tony Jannus flew his Benoist airplane from
St. Petersburg to Tampa in 23 minutes,
skimming across the water at a height of
50 feet. A monument to honor the historic
flight is planned for the new St. Petersburg
Pier, located on the downtown waterfront.
St. Petersburg Museum of History baseball
collection
12 St. Petersburg’s Visitors Guide | 2019-2020
/exhibits