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Local Historic Landmarks |
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Old Southeast Hexagon Block Sidewalks
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Within the Old Southeast neighborhood, the hexagon block sidewalk landmark designation protects the six-sided cast stones used for sidewalks in St. Petersburg since about 1914. Primarily white, the blocks also appear in grey, blue, red, green and yellow and are laid in graceful patterns that form a diverting design as the eye moves down the street. The Old Southeast Neighborhood has a dense concentration of hexagon block sidewalks (85% of all existing sidewalks, according to the Neighborhood Profile). The Old Southeast Neighborhood Plan contains a specific policy to preserve the historic character of the neighborhood, including the hexagon block sidewalks through hexagon block sidewalk preservation areas. Historically there are several theories as to why these different colored hexagon shapes were selected for sidewalk material. One theory is that the town fathers thought they might reflect the colorful mosaic sidewalks of Rio de Janeiro. Another is that the blocks could adapt to Florida's shifting sand where regular concrete sidewalks would crack. In the early twentieth century, hexagon blocks were probably the easiest way to install a sidewalk because concrete sidewalks were time consuming due to hand mixing and pouring. It was easier to cart and carry the hexagon blocks and have inexpensive labor install them in a sand base. Over the years, hexagon block sidewalks have been replaced by the now inexpensive concrete sidewalks. The possibility of losing all of the hexagon sidewalks in the City prompted the St. Petersburg Arts Commission (SPAC) to adopt resolution No. 3, dated April 28, 1977, declaring the protection of historic hexagon sidewalks as necessary to insure the continuity of the cultural heritage in St. Petersburg. This was taken one step further when City Council adopted, on November 17, 1977, Resolution No. 77-1113, which set up hexagon block districts and a maintenance program to protect these areas. In 1992, the City Council approved an amendment to the Historic Preservation Ordinance that dissolved these districts but set up a designation process that allows citizens to adopt a hexagon block preservation area. |
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