Pass-a-Grille is so much more than just a normal beach. It has a lot of history dating back to the 1800s.
So why the name Pass-a-Grille? In the historic area of Pass-a-Grille underground, there is freshwater. It’s the only freshwater naturally available on the Pinellas barrier islands which are obviously surrounded by saltwater.
. Because of the freshwater available, fishermen a couple of hundred years ago would gather their harvest, and then bring their boats around the tip of the island to anchor in Boca Ciega Bay. They would bring their catch ashore and, blessed with the freshwater, would grill the fish for their evening meal. Locals started to call this area the “passage of the grillers,” aka Pass-a-Grille.
Pass-a-Grille was homesteaded by a man named Zephaniah Phillips in 1886. His house which was first on the island still stands next to the Seahorse Restaurant on Eighth Avenue.
By the early 1900s, Pass-a-Grille became a destination for tourists. Though there were no bridges connecting it to the mainland the island could be accessed by ferry boat. Eventually, the first hotels were built to accommodate the growing demand.
The first bridge to Pass-a-Grille was opened on February 4, 1919. The new toll bridge was built by W. G. McAdoo, who owned property on the northern part of the island, about five miles north of the city of Pass-a-Grille. The opening of the bridge was strategic in that it allowed McAdoo to develop his property as a beach resort, which he named St. Petersburg Beach.
By 1920, about 50 families lived in Pass-a-Grille and they needed a place to worship. The original Pass-a-Grille church was then opened on 10th Avenue. By 1959, the community had outgrown the space, so a new church on 16th Avenue was constructed. The old church was set to be torn down was instead bought by a community member named Joan Haley who purchased it and turned it into her home. After her death in 1989, it was discovered in her will that she left the building to Pinellas County with the provision that it be turned into a historic museum. After more than a year of being closed due to COVID, it is again open for limited hours.
Every evening at the museum, a volunteer comes down and selects someone from the gathering to have the honor of ringing the bell (15 times) at sunset.
You can still hear this bell every night in Pass-A-Grille today.
Pass-a-Grille’s past is too wacky and interesting for just one blog post. Our part of the island offers more than just that beautiful beach. We are proud to be located in the historic district of Pass-A-Grille. Our property was originally built in 1925 and still bears a historic designation today. Come and take a look for yourself.
We have limited availability for February, March, and April and are also beginning to take reservations for 2023.
www.southernpagbeachhousebungalows.com
727-488-0345
