Pass-a-Grille Historic District


The Pass-a-Grille Historic District is a U.S. historic district located in the town of Pass-a-Grille at the southern end of St. Pete Beach, Pinellas County, Florida. The district is bounded by 12th Avenue, Gulf Boulevard, 4th Avenue, and Gulf Avenue. It contains 97 historic buildings.
On September 15, 2003, the area was expanded to include an area bounded by Pass-a-Grille Way, 1st Avenue, Gulf Way, Sunset Way, and 32nd Avenue. The new area contained contains 354 more historic buildings.
The Gulf Beaches Historical Museum is a museum of local history that is located in the district in the former Pass-a-Grille Community Church.

History

The Pass-A-Grille area was first visited in 1528 after European explorer Panfilo de Narvaez docked off the pass. The name "Pass-A-Grille" is said to derive from the French phrase "Passe aux Grilleurs." From thereon, the island was viewed as a fishing ground until 1886 when the first homestead occurred. Many historic locations including the iconic Don Cesar Hotel are located on Pass-A-Grille beach. It was not until 1957 that the island was included as a piece of St. Pete Beach. In 1989, the a portion of the island was deemed a National Historic District.