Save Treasure Island, Florida!

SC Sailor Curt Member Seattle, WA Joined: Mar 25, 2002 Posts: 50	SC Sailor Curt Posted posted on Fri, Aug 12, 2005 12:02 PM Save Treasure Island, Florida! Lovers of classic mid-century modern architecture and great old hotels/motels/signage may find the following story of interest: The city of Treasure Island, Florida, is on the Gulf of Mexico, part of the Gulf Beaches near St. Petersburg. This city, an island just a few miles long, has remarkably preserved a dozen '50s "Space Age" Mid-Century Modern style structures, including unique motels and signs, and three Art Moderne causeway bridges that have already been determined to be eligible on the National Register of Historic Places. Driving through this city is like going back in time to early Las Vegas, Palm Springs or Wildwood. It is really a remarkable find. The group of men who built these places back in the '50s were called, in fact, "The Rat Pack of Treasure Island," and postcards depicting some of these motels and places -- like the Surf, the Sands, and the Sea Chest -- are highly sought after today. And yet these places still look and feel the same today, even in some cases down to the original 50s furniture in the rooms! Sadly, the article goes on to describe how big money corporate interests are looking to bulldoze the area and build more high-rise hotels, effectively reducing Treasure Island to just another cookie-cutter modern Flordia beach. Full story with great photos can be found at: http://www.recentpast.org/groups/treasure/ Sailor Curt [ Edited by: Sailor Curt 2005-08-12 12:09 ]

Lovers of classic mid-century modern architecture and great old hotels/motels/signage may find the following story of interest:

The city of Treasure Island, Florida, is on the Gulf of Mexico, part of the Gulf Beaches near St. Petersburg. This city, an island just a few miles long, has remarkably preserved a dozen '50s "Space Age" Mid-Century Modern style structures, including unique motels and signs, and three Art Moderne causeway bridges that have already been determined to be eligible on the National Register of Historic Places.

Driving through this city is like going back in time to early Las Vegas, Palm Springs or Wildwood. It is really a remarkable find. The group of men who built these places back in the '50s were called, in fact, "The Rat Pack of Treasure Island," and postcards depicting some of these motels and places -- like the Surf, the Sands, and the Sea Chest -- are highly sought after today. And yet these places still look and feel the same today, even in some cases down to the original 50s furniture in the rooms!

Sadly, the article goes on to describe how big money corporate interests are looking to bulldoze the area and build more high-rise hotels, effectively reducing Treasure Island to just another cookie-cutter modern Flordia beach.

Full story with great photos can be found at: http://www.recentpast.org/groups/treasure/

Sailor Curt

[ Edited by: Sailor Curt 2005-08-12 12:09 ]

Post #179247 by Sailor Curt on Fri, Aug 12, 2005 12:02 PM