Yesterday was the day for my weekly visit to the Mirror Lake Library. Owing to my passion to learn about the history of our community, I spent some time searching the stacks looking for books on the history of St. Petersburg. I dutifully stopped at the desk and checked out a copy of “The Making of St. Petersburg” by Will Michaels, a local author.
With my treasure in hand, I exited through the front door and walked down the steps. I made a left at the bottom to Mirror Lake Drive, turned left again at the corner and noticed the beautiful, historic buildings surrounding me.
Nearby the library, built in 1915, sits Old St. Petersburg High School at Mirror Lake, which opened in 1920. High school classes moved to their current location in 1926, and though the old high school building was used for several other purposes over the years, it eventually closed its’ doors in 1985. In 1991, in a sad state of decline, the building was restored and opened as a condominium.
The Mirror Lake Lyceum, which began life as the First Christian Church of St. Petersburg, was built in 1926; and the Tomlinson Adult Learning Center was built in 1924, its front gates guarded by statues of owls. Across from the old high school I couldn’t help but notice how a fountain that sent up a spray caused the surface of Mirror Lake to twinkle and reflect the bright sunlight on this beautiful fall day.
As the library has a very small and full parking lot I headed across Mirror Lake Drive to enjoy a pleasant walk around to the other side of the lake, where I had been lucky enough to find a free two-hour parking space. After a few minutes’ stroll I couldn’t help but to notice a “homeless” man walking towards me. (Funny how quick we are to prejudge others based solely on appearances.) He was quite tall and carried many of the characteristics we may associate with the homeless: long, seemingly unkempt beard and hair; scruffy, well-worn clothing and a dirty backpack slung over one shoulder.
In an attempt to give him a wide berth as we passed my left foot twisted off of the pavement and slipped on the grass. I dropped my book and was certain to be headed for an unplanned swim when a surprisingly strong hand grabbed my flailing arm and yanked me back onto the sidewalk. The man held me in his grip until satisfied that I had my feet back under me then bent down to pick up my book.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
“Fine, thank you for asking,” I replied. “A little, well make that quite, embarrassed but otherwise in pretty good shape. You saved me from a certain plunge. Please let me repay your kindness.”
I started to reach into my pocket to give him some money, but again the strong hand reached out to stop me.
His next words gave me pause: “I can understand why you may have mistaken me for a homeless person, but I assure you I do not find myself in dire straits. I just flew into Albert Whitted Airport after a three-month archeological dig in Mexico and decided to walk home. I live in the renovated Old St. Pete High School building.”
The man continued: “I know I must be quite a sight, but I can wait a little longer for a hot bath. Tell you what, it’s been a long time and I have been just dying for a good ol’ American hotdog. Is that stand still there on 2nd Avenue and Beach Drive?”
“It was last week,” I assured him.
“Well then, what say we stroll back over there and I’ll let you buy me a couple as repayment? I have lots of pesos but few dollars on me,” he said.
As we walked he looked at my library book he was still holding.
“I see you’re interested in St. Petersburg history. Is there a particular area that piques your interest?” he asked.
“Well yes,” I confessed. “I wanted to know more about Mirror Lake.”
By that time we found the hotdog vendor on Beach Drive and each ordered a couple of dogs and drinks, then found a shady bench to sit and eat. Between bites and swigs of our drinks, the history of the lake began to unfold.
He began, “Well let’s see, I guess the lake just always was. It is natural and fed by an underground stream that was used by the pre-Columbian Indians. During the Spanish American War, soldiers came to what was then called Reservoir Lake to find enough fresh water for the troops. In 1899, St. Petersburg formed the Municipal Water District with the lake used as the main source for the town’s water supply.”
My new friend continued his history lesson.
“Development started to encircle the lake around 1908. I’m not quite sure when the name was changed but a 1918 map shows it as Mirror Lake. By the late 1920s and early 30s most of the historic buildings you see now had been built. The growing population and demand for water had outgrown what Mirror Lake could provide, and miles of piping has been laid to bring in water to the city from other sources, leaving the lake to replenish itself.”
He continued: “The lake became a center of activity for the city, but was still not very pedestrian friendly, and its steep banks caused many people to take the same plunge you nearly made. In November of 2013 work started that would make the lake’s banks less steep and improve the walkways.The transformation was complete the following year. Mirror Lake became Mirror Lake Park and continues to be a magnet for people to wish to relax and spend some time with nature.”
My friend looked at his well-worn watch and said, “Where has the time gone? I really should be getting home to that hot shower.” We realized more than two hours had passed.
With that we walked back over toward his condo and my parking spot on Mirror Lake. I thanked him again for saving me and giving me a great insight into the lake’s history. With some trepidation I looked at my windshield, and was greatly relieved to see I had not been the recipient of a parking ticket. Even if I had, the cost of the ticket would have been money well spent.
