Oral Histories


St Petersburg's Most Historically Rich African-American Historical & Cultural District Greater 22nd Street Business District
A Florida Main Streets Community - art work above compliments of Wade Trim

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Oral Histories 22nd Street Redevelopment Corp. promotes the history and culture of 22nd St. South as well as businesses. To this end during Black History month in February 2009 interviews were conducted with an initial group of people with stories to tell about 22nd St. South. Interviews are placed below for your listening pleasure. Recordings will also be shared with the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African-American History Museum at 2240 9th Ave. South for their archive and sharing with the public as they see fit. FYI - People living today remember 22nd Street from a time period of the late 1920's forward through today. If you or someone you know has a story to tell about 22nd St. please contact the 22nd Street Redevelopment office for more information and to arrange an interview time. After March 18th contact: 22nd Street Redevelopment Corp. Office 833 22nd Street South St Petersburg, Florida 33712 22ndStRedevelopment@verizon.net 727 455-5130 Note - the length of time it takes for the interview audio file to load and then play varies according to your computer. Paul J. Barco Sr. interviewed by daughter Paula Raised along 22nd St. South in the 1920's & 30's. Owned and operated 22nd St. Grocery. He tells of the two stages in growth along 22nd St. - in the 1920's & in the 1950's. 41 min. Bernice Green Green's Bakery & Sandwich Shop formerly on 22nd St. South for 30+ years now open at 3065 18th Ave. South. part 1 part 2 part 3 Sgt. Samuel Jones, retired Served the community as a police officer and Sgt. for 23 years (1949 to 1970). Hired as one of the first black police officers - patrolled 22nd St. South and Methodist Town. Promoted to Sgt. in 1960. Thoroughly enjoyed being a police officer. 43 min. Elzo Atwater Jr. (photo to be posted soon) In the 1960's & 70's he grew up working in Wilbur & Annie Wright's Harlem Restaurant in the 600 block of 22nd St. South. He later opened Atwater's Cafeteria at MLK/9th St. South & 22nd Avenue South. Speaks about those he served over the years on 22nd St. and of the need for the community to work together. 57min. link to companion article of interest to the Atwater interview Biscuts & Grace by Jeff Klinkenberg St Pete Times Elihu Brayboy Speaks of 22nd St South in 1960 - 1966 period. And now as a property and business owner on 22nd St. (M.O.M., Inc.) expresses dynamically his excitement about the revitalization along 22nd St.. part 1: 8 min. part 2: 20 min. Leandrew Bowers (right) & son Greg Bowers The Bowers family owned Sno-Peak 1953-2005 and was a take-away restaurant icon across the street from Manhattan Casino on 22nd St. South 39 min. Elzo Atwater Jr. (photo to be posted soon) In the 1960's & 70's he grew up working in Wilbur & Annie Wright's Harlem Restaurant in the 600 block of 22nd St. South. He later opened Atwater's Cafeteria at MLK/9th St. South & 22nd Avenue South. Speaks about those he served over the years on 22nd St. and of the need for the community to work together. 57min. Alfred (Al) B. Williams Jr. (photo to be posted soon) A member of the original dance and marching bands at Gibbs High School - 1939 onward. Bands which played the Manhattan Casino for a variety of social and community events. Williams grew up in the Gas Plant area of St Petersburg (now Tropicana Field) and his father "Bill" was the first black member of the city's Chamber of Commerce. Al attended Morehouse College in Atlanta and was, along with Martin Luther King, the youngest two attending at the time - ages 15 and 16. Williams attended dental school, became an orthodontist are spent 50 years in Atlanta. Now back home in St Petersburg he continues to have a band and stays busy with his music and golf. 28min. 12min. "Remembering the Manhattan Casino" video coming soom 17 min. video documentary about the history of the Manhattan Casino and 22nd St. South. Barbara Driscoll Treasure Island upon reading the Mar. 15, 2009 St Pete Times (Neighborhood) article wrote in to say... "My family moved from Bayonne, NJ to St. Petersburg, FL in 1954. For all of my childhood St. Pete was a segregated City. As a white girl growing up in the NW part of St. Pete., I was not exposed to anyone black until about 1957 when my mother took me to Dr. Robert J. Swain, a black Dentist. My mother heard about Dr. Swain from a neighbor who said he was affordable. We took the bus to 22nd St. then a cab to Dr. Swain's office. Looking out from the cab, 22nd St. So. was like nothing I had ever seen before. The street was alive with people of all ages and music. I found Dr. Swain to be strong and quite handsome and his office staff/nurses beautiful. My friends at school were shocked that I had a black Dentist. As the years have rolled by I now know that Dr. Swain was an early activist and I am so proud that he was my Dentist and, in this regard, I have always felt a part of 22nd St. South." > If you or someone you know has a story to tell about 22nd St. please contact the 22nd Street Redevelopment office for more information and to arrange an interview time. Contact: 22nd Street Redevelopment Corp. Office 833 22nd Street South St Petersburg, Florida 33712 22ndStRedevelopment@verizon.net 727 455-5130	Additional Reading & Viewing St Petersburg's Historic 22nd Street South by Rosalie Peck and Jon Wilson The History Press (2006) Voices of America: St Petersburg An Oral History by Scott Taylor Hartzell Arcadia Publishing (2002) Online link ... "The Deuces" . . . St Petersburg Times Online Interactive Report See history & culture page within this website
Office . 833 22nd Street South . St Petersburg, Florida . 22ndStRedevelopment@verizon.net . 727 727 455-5130 Copyright © 2008 22nd Street Redevelopment Corporation, Inc. Revitalizing 22nd Street