HISTORICALLY ST. PETE Rui Farias: Alligators, Tourism & Strange Historical Moments
Season 2 Episode 2220 · Jul 12, 10:04 PM
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In this episode of HISTORICALLY ST. PETE, St. Petersburg Museum of History's Rui Farias talks about alligator history and lore in Florida and here.
The St. Petersburg Museum of History's archives preserve the city's golden era of 20th-century tourism, featuring vintage alligator postcards and photographs. These items highlight early roadside attractions like the St. Pete Alligator Farm (opened in 1918) and Bill Carpenter's downtown Royal Palm Gift and Alligator Shop.
Alligator Postcards in the Museum's Collection
The museum holds historical postcards and archival photos detailing the prominent role alligators played in early St. Pete tourism:
The St. Petersburg Museum of History's archives preserve the city's golden era of 20th-century tourism, featuring vintage alligator postcards and photographs. These items highlight early roadside attractions like the St. Pete Alligator Farm (opened in 1918) and Bill Carpenter's downtown Royal Palm Gift and Alligator Shop.
Alligator Postcards in the Museum's Collection
The museum holds historical postcards and archival photos detailing the prominent role alligators played in early St. Pete tourism:
- Andy Baker's Alligator Farm: Postcards capture one of the area's first roadside tourist spots, which famously mailed live baby alligators directly to vacationers' homes. [1, 2, 3]
- The Royal Palm Theater: One archival photograph displays a live alligator placed in the theater lobby—a marketing tactic used by owner Bill Carpenter to draw in curious crowds. [1]
- Old Romeo: The archives hold a c. 1925 photograph of a famous resident alligator named "Old Romeo" residing at the St. Pete Alligator Farm.
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