Driftwood St Petersburg
Amenities / Character
Driftwood is a tiny, unique neighborhood on Tampa Bay. You can look but don't expect to live there unless you have neighborhood connections. Few of the 50 homes go on the market for sale. Most are passed from family member to family member or sold through word of mouth. Two such homes are housing fourth generations.
History:
Several builders and architects have designed homes in Driftwood. One of the most prominent was Mark Dixon Dodd. He's described as an artist, designer, teacher who lived between 1888-1952. He trained in New York and moved here with his wife and daughter in 1924. They were seeking a warmer climate for their daughters health.
Dodd is credited with designing 19 of the homes. Each homeowner was given an original painting by Dodd and many still proudly display them. Upon sale, the painting tends to stay with the house.
As an artist, Dodd put unusual features in his homes. He loved windows and even put them in closets. Cathedral ceilings and archways were also a favorite. Balconies, fireplaces, hidden staircases and trap doors can also be found in a Dodd Home.
Numerous descendants of Philadelphia contractor George Gandy have settled in the area. Gandy built the original 2 Gandy bridge that opened in November 1924.
Housing:
A first time visitor described the area as the Congo. Large wrought iron arches bearing the Driftwood name stretch across the street at entrances. Fifty-year-old oaks completely canopy the narrow winding roadways. Its built on real dirt, not landfill.
The property appraisers office has 42 homes listed while the association extends the Driftwood name to 50. Six claim no homestead exemption. Because of the diversity on sizes and styles, prices vary greatly.
The smallest home is 1,056 square feet and sold for $92,900 in 1994. This year the second smallest home with 1,158 square feet sold for $68,000. The largest home is 4,700 square feet on the water and projected sales price by the property appraisers computer model is $426,000. Projected average size and sales price for the neighborhood is 2,237 square feet and $149,395.
There are one-floor masonries, a two-story with a second floor greenhouse and wooden A frame seen more often in the mountains. Homes are built at odd angles, pine needle driveways and fish ponds can be found. Abundant plants and trees are in every yard. Even an occasional gopher tortoise appears.
Driftwood is close knit. In fact, the association president describes it as insular. He tells of two brothers who allegedly live there but have not been seen for years and years and years. The active Crime Watch group carries radios for communication.
Recreation:
Neighbors socialize often. New Years Eve heralds a progressive dinner; Fourth of July, a neighborhood parade with residents rolling along in wheel chairs, on lawn mowers and bicycles. The even celebrate the weekends clocks are adjusted for daylight-saving time. It calls for a potluck dinner, both in fall and spring.
Memorial Day and Labor day are picnic days when a neighbor decides to organize them. Events are held in two small neighborhood parks or on the beach behind someone's home. As one neighbor put it, You know all your neighbors without
being busybodies.
Boundaries:
24th Avenue Southeast to Driftwood Road South between Florida Avenue South and Beach Drive Southeast.
Information compliments of www.stpete.org
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