Pass-a-Grille facts for kids
Pass-a-Grille is a cool beach neighborhood located at the very south end of St. Pete Beach in Pinellas County, Florida. It used to be its own town! This area is home to the Pass-a-Grille Historic District, the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum, and, of course, Pass-A-Grille Beach itself. You can find lots of restaurants, shops, and beautiful waterfront spots here, both on the Gulf of Mexico and along the Intracoastal Waterway. Pass-a-Grille is built on a barrier island, which is a long, narrow island that protects the mainland from ocean storms.
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The Story of Pass-a-Grille
The land around Pass-a-Grille has been lived on by Native American people for thousands of years. Spanish explorers first saw this area in 1528. A famous explorer named Pánfilo de Narváez even anchored his ship near Pass-a-Grille pass.
How Pass-a-Grille Got Its Name
There's a local story that says the name "Pass-a-Grille" comes from a French phrase: Passe Aux Grilleurs. This means "the passageway of the grillers." It was named to honor the fishermen who used to camp and cook their fresh catch here.
Early Days and Growth
One of the first people to see Pass-A-Grille Beach as a great vacation spot was John Gomez. As early as 1857, he invited travelers from St. Petersburg and Tampa to stay at his resort-like building. Later, important businessmen like Roy S. Hanna and Selwyn Morey started buying land to build homes and places for visitors to stay.
In 1901, a French travel agent named George Henri Lizotte opened the first hotel in Pass-A-Grille. He called it the Bonhomie. The first schoolhouse in Pass-a-Grille was built in 1914 for about $1,000. It opened its doors to students in the winter of 1915. A very famous hotel, The Don CeSar, opened just north of Pass-a-Grille in 1928. This brought even more growth to the area.
Becoming Part of St. Pete Beach
Pass-a-Grille eventually became part of the city of St. Pete Beach in 1957. In 1989, the area was officially recognized as a National Register Historic District. This means its important history and buildings are protected. In 2012, Tropical Storm Debby caused some damage, including beach erosion and a tornado.
Fun Things to Do in Pass-a-Grille
Pass-a-Grille is a great place for fun! The beach, cool shops, an ice cream shop, and an outdoor art market are all close by. You can also find restaurants, tennis courts, and fishing piers. Most of these fun spots are around 8th Street.
Places to Eat
There are many popular places to eat in Pass-a-Grille. The Seahorse Grill has been open since 1938 and is a favorite spot for breakfast. Other well-known restaurants include The Hurricane, The Dewey, Grace, and The Brass Monkey.
Parks and Community
Pass-a-Grille Park is a public park located right in the community. It's a nice place to play or relax. The Pass-a-Grille Community Church is the only place of worship in the neighborhood.
Images for kids
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A street in the historic district.
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The beautiful Gulf of Mexico.
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The Hurricane restaurant.
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Another view of a Pass-a-Grille street.
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Historic buildings in Pass-a-Grille.
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The beach from the pier.
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Pass-A-Grille Beach panorama
