The Sunshine City’s Iconic Hexagonal Sidewalks
At one time, St. Petersburg was lined with over one hundred miles of hexagonal sidewalks. The creator of those iconic walkways, Hope A. Farmer, like an artist, put his signature on those sidewalks by stamping a slab with Farmer Concrete Works and the year. In 1912, City leaders favored Farmer’s hexagon blocks because it was believed the slabs would float and settle on the City’s shifting sand. Also, Farmer produced the slabs in various colors enabling sidewalks in and around downtown to have a colorful mosaic look. Delivered by mule and wagon, the hexagon slabs were constructed with coarse concrete on the bottom, and fine, smoother mixture on the top. Farmer Concrete Works closed in 1961 and by the early 1970’s, the City began replacing the hexagon sidewalks with solid concrete slabs.
The St. Petersburg Museum of History is located at 335 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. For more information about exhibits, hours, and ticket pricing visit SPMOH.com.
