In 1981, contestants were asked, “If you had a teenage girl at home what advice would you give them?” The Gabber reported that “their answers would have made a mother proud.” The winner that year was Tami Barnhart; Lynda Gale Samuel took the honors in 1982. In 1975, Catherine Hitchcock competed with six other contestants for the Miss Gulfport crown. Located on the Boca Ciega Bay with a nice beach and long fishing pier, Gulfport's Waterfront District attracts young and old alike. Explore the best trails in Gulfport, Florida on TrailLink. Glenda Harness, Miss Gulfport 1983, got a special treat: receiving her coronation from McCollough, the first queen. Organizers changed the name from Miss Gulfport Festivals to just Miss Gulfport (the recipient also carried the title of Miss Gulfport Lions). With more than 24 Gulfport trails covering 209 miles, you’re bound to find a perfect trail like the Coastal Anclote Trail or Bayshore Trail. While relaxing on the porch you have a sense of privacy yet you can see through the lush giant palm leaves to enjoy the view. Miss Gulfport Lions Club also represented the club at the national Miss American Bowl Pageant in Tampa Stadium later in the year. Want to talk about this post? S., Gulfport FL 33707 The town was originally named Disston City in 1884 when Hamilton Disston purchased land in the area. Narrated and produced by Gail Biron. The current building was reconstructed in the 1930s. The Historic Peninsula Inn is a historic hotel in Gulfport, Florida that features a number of exciting amenities, attractions, and more! We're not out of the woods yet, and every little bit helps pay our reporters, printer, and other expenses. Gulfport has been known by several names since its founding. There were annual queens and their courts named throughout the late 50s and into the late 60s. It’s easy to make yourself at home here. We are proud to have introduced Gulfport Florida to web visitors in all 50 states in the United States, and over 214 countries and territories. Report Station. (During the pageant, Sharbough was asked her thoughts on school busing, a controversial topic at the time.). Gulfport Historical Museum is doing an excellent job of preserving the history of the area. You are sure to find one that ideal for your stay. Gulfport Field was declared excess by the Air Force and conveyed by the War Assets Administration to the City of Gulfport in 1949 for use as a civil airport. For the past several decades Gulfport has been spared a direct hit from a hurricane. The Gulfport History Museum is open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays, as well as other hours by appointment. Based on the book "Images of America, Gulfport" by Lynne S. Brown. Erin Carmoday, 13, was named Miss Splash Day. Visit us: 5301 28th Ave. S., Gulfport, Florida, 33707. 2 bedroom, 1 Bath - 1 block from Beach Blvd. Filed Under: News Tagged With: gecko ball, Gecko Queen, Gulfport, gulfport festival, Gulfport Florida, gulfport history, lions club, © 2021 All Rights Reserved | The Gabber Newspaper. Step onto our sprawling veranda, walk through our French doors, and begin an experience you won’t soon forget. The tour examines the creation of this small seaside hamlet; the tour guides — all Gulfport locals with a penchant for history and storytelling — share the town's history and stories with the group. Narrated and produced by Gail Biron. Gulfport, and its surrounding areas like St. Petersburg and Tampa, offer a great selection of museums, galleries, and historical sites to explore. Her words of advice to current Gecko Queen Robinson? Gulfport’s Historic Waterfront District. In 1975 the city sponsored an event dubbed “Splash Day,” commemorating the beginning of the summer recreation program. By 1969 there was an entity called “Gulfport Festivals,” a community-based group that produced all sorts of events in town, including the city’s 4th of July celebration. We have a cool town and we'll sure you'll love it!Copyright 2016 - GulfportFlorida.us This web site was created by007 Computer Services - Web Design, History of Gulfport Florida. Support local news and families — donate now to keep The Gabber Newspaper serving the community it loves! A group of industrial titans saw the potential for wealth, and had the means to make it happen. In the quaint clapboard house, visitors can see black-and-white images of Gulfport through the years, and you can even delve into the history of your Gulfport vacation rental. Then COVID-19 changed all of that. The Gulfport MLS map search includes the neighborhoods and homes of the Gulfport area including Boca Ciega Estates, Boca Ciega, Historic Gulfport, Pasadena Estates, Town Shores, Skimmer Point, Pasadena Yacht and Country Club, Kipps Colony, Clam Bayou, Baywood, and Bay View neighborhoods of Gulfport, Florida. 1.9K likes. In fact, Gulfport was one of the six finalist in the Rand McNally " Best of the Road … Team Gabber brought back the print version of the newspaper, and we've redesigned our website to make it easier for you to get the news. The Gulfport Historical Society operates the Gulfport History Museum with generous financial and moral support from the City of Gulfport. It is a wonderful spot to greet your new Gulfport friends as they walk by enjoying the perfect December weather. We delivered 6,387,468 pages of information with a total of 48,512,219 hits. “We were good kids,” says Horan. The United States Postal Service would not recognize the name as it conflicted with a town in Hillsborough County. City of Gulfport Historical Storm History. Historic Preservation Committee The City of Gulfport is committed to making our website and the pages, forms, and documents it contains accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. The pageant in 1985 was postponed until October while Labor Day Hurricane Elena spiraled just off the coast for several days. Rates on these Gulfport historic hotels range from $120 to . It all began with sock hops in the 1950s. 5301 28th Ave. S., Gulfport, FL 33707 727-201-8687 • Email us Looking for the Gulfport, Mississippi History Museum?Here they are! Instead, it was named Bonifacio. View listing photos, review sales history, and use our detailed real estate filters to find the perfect place. Stay at One of the Best Hotels in Florida! Sheri Cox was the first Miss Gulfport, and the Lions Club continued to name Gulfport Queens for almost the next 20 years. McCollough got married the day before the event and, since pageant rules required the queen to be single, first runner up Carolyn Arcemont got to be “Queen for a Day” before Sharbaugh’s coronation. In the past, however, the title of “Queen” was given to a young woman, in a tradition that goes back at least 60 years. Visit us and we think you’ll agree.Read more...>>. 49 F St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport Station | Report. In April that year, Horan competed against 32 young women for the title of “Record Romp Queen.” At her coronation she was joined by seven other girls on her court, and crowned by newly elected chamber president Kenneth Johnson. Eventually Christine George took top honors – and the title of Miss Congeniality. Sharbough reigned through 1974 when the Lions Club of Gulfport picked up the pageant as part of their Labor Day festivities, which included the popular fish fry. This year’s Gecko Ball, like so many other popular annual events, was canceled and Robinson suddenly became the de facto 2020 Queen, continuing her reign until, hopefully, the 2021 event. Become a part of "What's Happenin' in Gulfport, Florida". In 1910, the name officially changed to Gulfport. Get directions: 5500 Shore Blvd. -2000--Census records Gulfport population at 12,527-February 9, 2000--The Gulfport Police Department was accredited by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation.-2002--Authorized sworn positions increase to 32 to help staff a new police patrol boat.-2003- … In June 2008 through December 2016, GulfportFlorida.us welcomed 761,468 unique visitors for over 1,120,652 total visits. The documents on the website are currently under remediation while we work to meet new ADA requirements. Beginning the new decade, Jeanni Kruse competed with five other young women for the crown. Educate Yourself on Florida For history buffs looking to learn more about the town, there are plenty of educational opportunities. Times have certainly changed. “Be yourself and make a good impression of Gulfport to everyone you meet.”. In 1890, the town name was changed to Veteran City. Gulfport Casino is a national historic site located at 5500 Shore Blvd., Gulfport, Florida in Pinellas County. and 1 block from the Gulfport Pier! Records are missing for 1986 (and 1988), but the “Heathers” ruled for two years: the 1989 queen was Heather Padula; Heather Cercil was 1990 queen. The last queen before these pageants were discontinued in 1992 was April Berringer. This quaint, ‘bohemian feel’ town is fun, diverse, open, relaxing and airy. We are a small town, but we have a big heart. 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