If you or one of your neighbors is a long-time Holiday Park resident, please be in touch about sharing your memories of the neighborhood. We are seeking out any private archives of letters or photographs from HPNA neighbors that shows how Holiday Park came to be. Email Amy Possidente at arobinson992@gmail.com with any questions or submissions.
Holiday Park Memory Spotlight - Rose Mary Hughes
Although my husband was from Kansas City, MO and I was from St. Joseph, MO, we moved to St. Petersburg, FL in November 1964 from Grand Rapids, MI.
After our marriage in 1958 in MO, we moved to Grand Rapids in 1959 where 4 of our children were born. Then in November of 1964, due to a job change, we arrived in St. Petersburg. My husband arrived a few weeks earlier to locate a house for us.
Fortunately, he was informed about the homes being built by Frank Stumm in a location called “Holiday Park.”
Our home was one of three on the north side of 34th Ave. N. The house in the “middle” was a model home for one year. The houses on each side were occupied. Fortunately, we were able to purchase the one in the “middle” and have lived in it since.
Neighbors on each side were very friendly and had children. Across the street it seemed everyone had children!
Since homes were not built yet on the East side of 62nd St. N. the “corner” lot was used as a field to play ball until construction took place.
Northwest Park was developing and making great improvements. The children enjoyed many days at NW Pool. Our sons played baseball at the park and had one of their favorite coaches, Mr. Wilroy. Having our family increase with 4 more children, which included twins, we kept the Park occupied. When school was not in session during the summer, some of the children attended Summer Programs at the Youth Center.
The children attended Tyrone Elementary School, which was within walking distance for the older ones. All of the children were able to attend and graduate from Dixie Hollins High School.
Actually, Holiday Park proved to be and still is a great location for everything−schools, banks, churches, park, restaurant, mall, Hospital and Elks!
In fact, St. Petersburg General Hospital was not built when we moved here. When I discovered that a hospital was being built there, I said maybe someday I would work there. Later, being a nurse, I did work there for 18 years.
Many days were spent at the Elks. There use to be a golf course close by when we first moved here.
Over the years due to our increasing family, we did have to make a few additions to our home and especially back yard. It was like a small playground with swings, sliding board, portable plastic pool, among a few to mention.
At one time, our youngest son and friends built a skate board ramp with lumber donated from one of the fathers in the “Hood.” It became larger than expected so became a possible accident to happen. I then had to draw up a “Ramp Form.” We then had to require parents’ signatures to use the Ramp. It was quite an attraction for the Summer months.
There was only one major sad occurrence that we experienced on May 8, 1979 with a one-time unusual rain that lasted almost all day and caused flooding. It was the only time that flooding has occurred since the City improved / corrected the drainage system of Joe’s Creek behind our home.
Because of the heavy rain and flooding, my friend and her family (who lived several homes West of us) started out on foot to walk toward the Tyrone Mall area where her parents lived. Across from the Elks and Tyrone Elementary School on the corner where Jo Ann Fabrics now is was a large drainage pipe uncovered. Her husband, 2 daughters and dog were trying to take a short cut to the mall area and were swept away by the deep water and current. The mother and one of the daughters lost their lives. The husband, other daughter, and dog survived. The City has since repaired / covered the drainage system.
The flood was an experience for my family. Fire trucks had to pick up children at Tyrone Elementary School and take them home if it wasn’t affected by the flood or to a safe place.
Our Holiday Park friends (the Ryczeks and Raffterys) took some of our children. The Ramsbergers (that lived close by) also took some of our children in addition to my husband and myself.
Our neighbors in Holiday Park helped so much by taking bags of clothes that had been affected by the water and washed them for us. Many of the students from DHHS came to help remove carpet and whatever we needed.
Although I think we have utilized every inch of our home and yard, I could not ask for a more special neighborhood in which to live and raise our children.
Only a few of my old neighbors live now in the “Hood,” but I find my new neighbors extra special. I love seeing their “little ones” being a part of and enjoying a very special time in their lives−in Holiday Park!
Sincerely with Love,
Rose Mary Hughes
