Long before there were computers, video games and social media, the children of St. Petersburg spent their summers flying through the air, fishing Round Lake and racing kind-of fast cars. The City of St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation Department sponsored the Youth Aerial Circus which taught kids how to fly on the trapeze at Woodlawn Community Center. Using equipment donated by Ringling Brothers Circus, the aerial group was the only one of its kind in the nation. St. Pete Parks & Rec also organized the City Fishathon at Round Lake. On 22nd Street, residents would gather to witness 11-15 year-olds who built their own cars, race in the annual Soap Box Derby. Pictured is the City Fishathon and Youth Aerial Circus, circa 1960, and John Burke, winner of the 1950 Soap Box Derby receiving the trophy from Mayor Stanley Minshall.
These historical images of St. Petersburg, and many more, are available in the Museum’s archives. For more information, visit HistoryStPete.org.
