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History and Research Project - 2010The HOA's Historian, Emmy Purcell Reynolds, was the President of the HOA from 2000 through the end of 2009, and continues to serve on the Board of Directors. During her research as the Arches Restoration Chair, she's been compiling historical facts and research on Beach Park and its original developers and architects. There are currently 80 of the original 1920's homes built that are still standing today in Beach Park. The developers required that all the homes be built of the Spanish Meditteranean Revival style, and the original deed restrictions stated that no more than 20 chickens were allowed. The History Project will take some time to complete. If you have original historic documents, deeds, photographs, sales brochures, maps, titles or memorabilia from the 1920's, 1930's, 1940's or 1950's that you would like to share with the HOA, or let us view your items, please email the Historian at EmmyReynolds@tampabay.rr.com. Her search has led to find the specific documents which mention the name of the architect of the Arches and Wing Walls on Lois and Swann. She's working in conjunction with another preservationist and architect on this quest. They believe they know who the architect was, but have not found any documented evidence yet. The arches that were once on Westshore spanning over the intersection at Cleveland were destroyed and removed for road widening long ago. We have been unable to locate a single photograph of the remaining arches at Lois and Swann. They were designed by different architects, we are certain. Many thanks to Mrs. Betty Setzer O'Neal who recently donated an original map of the the Beach Park development Landscape Plan to the Beach Park Women's Club. Emmy Reynolds is borrowing this map to share it with the historians at the Tampa Bay History Center and for professional archiving. Mrs. Setzer O'Neal's father was one of the original five Beach Park residents who formed the Beach Park Civic Association in the 20's after the collapse of the Beach Park Company, the original developer. She lives in Culbreath Bayou today and vivdly and fondly remembers growing up in Beach Park in the roaring 20's and then surviving after the Great Depression with her family here in Beach Park on Bayside Drive. More historical, accurate data will be shared here. When anectdotal information is posted, it will be noted as such, since there are many stories that have been passed along that may be part fact and part fiction. Posted by Emmy Purcell Reynolds, February 9, 2010
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