Book excerpt: Founded in the late nineteenth century as a railroad town, St. Petersburg quickly emerged as the "Sunshine City," a preferred west-coast destination for Americans seeking Florida's sun, sand, and surf. The images collected in Historic Photos of St. Petersburg combine to form a remarkable portrait of this unique community. Among numerous subjects key to the city's past are an early Mirror Lake, the Detroit Hotel, the Million Dollar Pier, the Snell Arcade, shuffleboard courts, Whitted Airport, the Aquatarium, Festival of States parades, the Orange Belt Railway, Roser Park, and of course, the famous green benches. In stunning black-and-white photography, this handsome coffee-table book details the historical growth of St. Petersburg from its early days up to recent times. Spanning two centuries and nearly 200 images, the book follows the building of this history-rich city, offering a compelling look into the past for any longtime resident and every history buff of St. Petersburg.