Davis Islands (Tampa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Davis Islands
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 Davis Islands
Location in Florida
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| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| County | Hillsborough |
| City | Tampa |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 5,474 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
Davis Islands is a cool neighborhood in Tampa, Florida. It's actually a group of two islands, called an archipelago, located in Hillsborough County. Many people love living here because it's close to Downtown Tampa and offers great views of the Port of Tampa. In 2010, about 5,474 people lived on Davis Islands.
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Exploring Davis Islands' Features
Davis Islands is home to the Peter O. Knight Airport and the Davis Island Yacht Club. You can also find the Marjorie Park Municipal Yacht Basin and Marjorie Park here. This park was given to the City of Tampa by D. P. Davis, who named it after his wife, Marjorie Merritt Davis.
How Davis Islands Became an Archipelago
Davis Islands is technically an archipelago because a canal completely separates one part of the island from the rest. This is why its name is plural, "Islands." Originally, there were three islands. However, when the airport was built, part of a canal was filled in. This connected the two largest islands at their southern ends. So now, there are only two islands.
Street Names and Traffic
Almost all the streets on Davis Islands are named after bodies of water or other islands. They are generally in alphabetical order. Adalia Avenue is the first street you cross when you arrive from the only bridge connecting the islands to the mainland. Severn Avenue is the farthest street from the bridge, located at the main island's southernmost point. The Davis Island Yacht Club is on Severn Avenue. There are no traffic lights on Davis Islands.
The History of Davis Islands
Davis Islands was created from two small natural islands, once called "Little Grassy Key" and "Big Grassy Key." These were located at the mouth of the Hillsborough River. In the 1920s, mud was dug up from the bottom of Tampa Bay to build and expand these islands.
The Vision of D. P. Davis
This project was part of the Florida Land Boom. A developer from Tampa named D. P. Davis led the effort. Davis bought all the newly created land for $350,000. He planned to build a resort community. His vision included three hotels, a nine-hole golf course, an airport, and a swimming pool. Davis quickly sold 306 of the first lots for over $1.6 million.
Challenges and Legacy
The development slowed down when the Florida land boom ended in the mid-1920s. Sadly, D. P. Davis was lost at sea in October 1926 while traveling across the Atlantic. Many of the original buildings were built in a Mediterranean style. These buildings are still standing today. They have been recognized as historic landmarks. Davis Islands now has a mix of homes and shops. The variety of building styles comes from the slowdown in development during the 1930s.
Shopping and Services
East Davis Boulevard is the main shopping area of the neighborhood. You can find many restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops here. It's a nice place to walk around. The area is also very friendly to pets.
Tampa General Hospital
Tampa General Hospital is located at the northern tip of the islands. It is a very important hospital for the area. It serves as a major medical center and a teaching hospital. It is connected with the University of South Florida Colleges of Medicine and Nursing.
Fun Things to Do
Davis Islands offers several great places for recreation and sports.
Davis Islands Trail
The Davis Islands Trail is a walking and biking path. It was finished in 2010. The trail is 10 feet wide and made of asphalt. It is 1.3 miles long. You can walk or bike from Channel Drive and Davis Boulevard all the way to the parking lot at Peter O. Knight Airport. The trail has benches and water fountains.
Roy Jenkins Pool
In 2014, the Roy Jenkins Pool reopened after a big renovation that cost $2.5 million. This building is 85 years old. It has two pools. One pool has five swim lanes and is 75 feet long. The other pool is a smaller, kiddie-sized pool.
Other Sports Facilities
You can also find other sports facilities on Davis Islands. These include the Sandra W. Freedman Tennis Complex. There are also several softball fields at Davis Islands Park.
Famous People Who Live Here
Many well-known people have chosen to live on Davis Islands.
- Derek Jeter, a famous baseball player, built a very large home here. It has seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms. It is one of the biggest homes in the Tampa area.
- Tom Brady, a famous football quarterback, also lives here.
- Other notable residents include former NFL player Brad Culpepper.
- Tampa Bay Lightning hockey players like former captain Vincent Lecavalier, Steven Stammer, and Victor Hedman have also lived on the islands.
- Former New York Yankees player Tino Martinez and former Tampa mayor Bob Buckhorn are also residents.
Adjacent Neighborhoods
- Harbour Island
- Downtown Tampa
- Hyde Park (Tampa)
