The history of Davis Islands is a well documented story involving the Tampa Bay Florida region. Although it is not as widely known as the Florida Keys these two small islands have become a very popular place to live and each year this little community attracts a number of visitors. The population is between 5000-6000, which means that overcrowding is not a problem.

The history of Davis Islands began nearly 100 years ago when there was great interest in moving to Florida. These islands are actually constructed from dredged mud that was transformed into two man made islands early in the 20^th century. At that time the Florida land boom was in high gear. These islands were then known as the “Little Grassy Key” and the “Big Grassy Key” and they were situated at the mouth of the Hillsborough River.

The history of Davis Islands was the result of a dream by native Floridian, David P. Davis. He was the one who first decided to buy all of this dredged up mud for a price of $350K. He hoped to build a resort themed community that featured golf courses, swimming pools, and several hotels. His plans moved swiftly during the first few years but by the middle of the 1920’s the economy and the Florida real estate boom were both in trouble. Then in 1926 D.P. Davis disappeared during an ocean voyage after falling overboard.

According to the history of Davis Islands there is a reason why this land mass is now more rightly described as an archipelago. Today there is a canal that separates one region of the island land mass from the other. Originally there were 3 little land masses that were all part of the Davis Islands. As construction was completed on the island airstrip the engineers filled in a portion of the canal to create a larger runway. This meant that the larger of the two islands were now connected at their southern tips and the total count was reduced from 3 to 2.

After Davis’s death in 1926 and the economic slow down leading into the 1930’s, the style of architecture opened up and today you will find a myriad of architectural styles that coexist in harmony. Even the newer retail and residential districts are an eclectic mixture that combines a number of different architectural ideas. There are a number Mediterranean Revival, Italian, and Spanish styled buildings that remain and these are now protected by historical and architectural preservation societies.  One of the most famous of these early buildings is the Palace of Florence and Mirasol. Another pink stucco marvel that dates back to the earliest years of the history of Davis Islands is the Palace of Florence Apartments. Many other buildings on the islands join the ranks of national historical landmarks such as the Palmerin Hotel (now Hudson Manor) and the Bay Isle Building.

Now the history of Davis Islands is an important part of life in this community. An address in this prestigious coastal setting is one coveted by many people. It is a diverse community and one of Tampa’s most desirable school districts and zipcode.

From any home on Davis Islands you can easily travel to the museums in downtown Tampa, the Hyde Park shopping district, cruise around the emerald waters on Bayshore Boulevard, or just relax and enjoy a panoramic view of Harbour Island or the Port of Tampa.

Most streets owe their names to the history of Davis Islands. These streets are named in a loose alphabetical order in honor of different islands or bodies of water. When you cross the bridge that connects the archipelago to Florida’s mainland you will reach the first street named Adalia Avenue. Severn Avenue is the street located the furthest from this bridge and this is where you will find the Davis Island Yacht Club.

The more commercial area on Davis Islands is located on East Davis Boulevard. This is where shops, sidewalk cafes and independently owned restaurants can be found. The sidewalks that connect the businesses are very pet, bicycle and pedestrian friendly. Davis Islands is also home to Tampa’s only beach front dog park.

There are many vacation homes available for rent during the summer months as people come here to explore the allure and history of Davis Islands and the greater Tampa area at large. This area has also attracted many famous celebrities including Derek Jeter who decided to build a permanent residence here which spans three lots.

If you are considering a move to Tampa and want to live an urban lifestyle in a suburban setting, Davis Islands should be at the top of your list.

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Tags: Davis Islands, Local History, Tours

Posted in Local History
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