Sulphur Springs calendar features historic photos

Advertisements for motels and trailer parks along Nebraska and Florida avenues; a 1949 map of Sulphur Springs with highlighted hot spots; and photographic slices of life from Tampa's past are a treasure trove for nostalgia fans.

They all are featured in the annual Sulphur Springs Memories Calendar compiled by local historian Linda Hope, owner of the Penny Saver.

The annual photographic peek into the past is in its 11th publication. The first calendar appeared in 1997 but publication in a couple of years was skipped. This year's calendar sometimes breaks outside Sulphur Springs' boundaries to reach into the city's history.

"I love buildings and neighborhoods where if you just pick at them long enough you can get them to tell you their story," Hope said.

Many photos in the calendar were provided by Tampa author John V. Cinchett, who wrote "Vintage Tampa Signs and Scenes." His book includes more than 200 photographs taken before the 1950s and found in archives of the Cinchett Neon Sign Co which installed hundreds of neon signs at Tampa restaurants, night clubs, motels and theaters.

"He's so good and he's so special to share some of these pictures," said Hope. She also published family photos provided by Iris Manning Songy, whose grandfather, Stanislaus de Rosier, owned commercial properties on Nebraska Avenue.

Hope thumbed through her files for ads and the 1949 map pinpointing Sulphur Springs' swimming pool, mineral springs, greyhound dog track, and tourist club.

"Sulphur Springs was a tourist place," she said. "They all printed out those little tourist booklets and maps."

Other photos include Fairyland built in 1957 at Lowry Park at former Mayor Nick Nuccio's direction. It recreated Children's Storyland built in a New Orleans city park. The Alaska Motel offered summer rates at $3 per couple. The Silver Star Trailer Court on Florida Avenue boasted the largest recreation hall in Tampa. Jim Walter Construction offered pre-fabricated homes for less than $1,500.

The calendars sell for $6 each and can be picked up at the Penny Saver, 10546 N. Florida Ave. Calendars can be mailed for an additional $2 charge. Cinchett's book also is available at the Penny Saver and through Arcadia Publishing for $21.99.

For information on the calendar, call the Penny Saver office at (813) 935-3115. For information on Cinchett's book, call Arcadia at (888) 313-2655 or visit the website, www.arcadiapublishing.com.