12.18.2023

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Today’s Forecast

🏠 How bungalow can you go?

Tampa Bay’s bungalow history

A bungalow in Hyde Park. It is painted light green and there is a porch out front.

One of Hyde Park’s iconic bungalows. | Photo by TBAYtoday

Bungalows — you can’t miss them in the Tampa Bay area.

We did some research to find out more about the home type, how they came here, and why there are so many.

What is a bungalow?

There is no single answer to this — there are different types of bungalows with different characteristics. The most commonly seen in the Tampa Bay area is the Craftsman, defined by their shingled roofs, eaves, and verandas.

In short, a bungalow is a one- to one-and-a-half story home with a sloped roof, and often boasts characteristics like open floor plans, porches/verandas, large windows, and fun colors (we’ve all seen those pink homes around town).

Screen Shot 2023-06-06 at 3.12.05 PM.png — This is a photo of Al Lang — yes, *the* Al Lang — from the 1920s in front of his bungalow.
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Photo via The City of St. Petersburg

How did they come to Tampa Bay?

The Craftsman became so popular in the early 20th century, they could be purchased in magazines.

Inspired by California, people in cities across the US started purchasing bungalows for themselves — they offered a route into cheap home + land ownership in rapidly growing cities.

Tampa Bay was no exception. In St. Pete, Historic Kenwood and Roser Park saw huge bungalow growth in the first few decades of the 1900s — these three neighborhoods have since been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Bungalows also gave middle income families a route into Tampa neighborhoods like Hyde Park and Tampa Heights, along with the help of other era-defining concepts and inventions like the automobile + the streetcar.

Learn more

If you drive through Kenwood, Seminole Heights, Old Northeast, Hyde Park, or pretty much any part of TBAY, you’re sure to see examples the kitschy Florida homes.

If you want to learn more, check out these resources and tours:

Every year, the Historic Kenwood Neighborhood hosts a Bungalow Fest tour to explore the architectural wonders.
Read about St. Pete’s bungalow courts.
There’s also an annual Hyde Park homes tour, and we recommend checking out the neighborhood’s famed Bungalow Terrace.
A bit of a longer read, but this 1979 USF article paints a history of the brightly painted homes.

Events

Monday, Dec. 18

12 Days of MacMas: Day 7 | Monday, Dec. 18 | 4 p.m. | MacDinton’s Irish Pub, 405 S. Howard Ave., Tampa | Free | Get in the festive spirit with drink deals at Monday Night Festivus, 99-cent wings, and Visa gift card giveaways at the popular SoHo spot.

Tuesday, Dec. 19

Taco Tuesday | Tuesday, Dec. 19 | 4-10 p.m. | Big Easy Bar, 1704 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa | Free | Dine in guests can enjoy $2 tacos all day and $2 off all margaritas from 4 to 7 p.m.
Reindeer Games | Tuesday, Dec. 19 | 4:45-6 p.m. | Daisy Douglas Park, 601 Ninth Ave. N., Safety Harbor | Free with registration | Compete for the grand prize with holiday-themed games.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. St. Louis Blues | Tuesday, Dec. 19 | 7 p.m. | Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa | $40+ | Cheer on the Bolts as they attempt to avenge last month’s 5-0 shutout.

Wednesday, Dec. 20

AARP Day | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | TIME | Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Old Water St., Tampa | Free | AARP members can register at no cost to visit the museum on the third Wednesday of every month.
A Christmas with Soul | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 7 p.m. | Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg | $39+ | Head to the St. Pete spot for festive + soulful tunes.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Number

$10 million. That’s how much extra public money was just contributed to expansion efforts at the Tampa Museum of Art. That brings the public investment up to $24.75 million for the riverfront project — which is set to cost ~$110 million in total. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Civic

Tampa City Council is considering a juvenile curfew. The first public reading is on Thursday, Dec. 21. The proposal suggests a curfew for people under 16 — 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and midnight Friday-Saturday. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Sports

The Buccaneers’ playoff dreams are still alive. That’s after yesterday’s 34-20 win against the Green Bay Packers. The Bucs lead the NFC South — winning the division will give them a playoff spot. There are three games left in the regular season.

Development

Changes are coming to Adventure Island next year. Castaway Falls is the park’s next attraction and will open in the spring. There will be four water slides, flow pipes, spray jets, and more at the former Splash Attack location. (WFLA)

Plan Ahead

Two iconic movies are coming to the Straz Center next year. “Batman” (1989) and “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince” will both play at the venue alongside a live orchestra. Batman is booked for Saturday, Jan. 20 and Harry Potter is playing Thursday, March 22-Friday, March 23. Find tickets. (That’s So Tampa)

Seasonal

Calling Michael Scott. Hyde Park Village is getting ready for an office-themed Christmas party. Hyde House (1646 W. Snow Ave.) is hosting the affair on Saturday, Dec. 23 with seasonal drinks, bites, decor and outfits. (That’s So Tampa)

Holiday

Add a touch of Tampa flair to your holiday décor at the hands-on Ornament Decorating Holiday Creation Station, Wednesday, Dec. 20, at Water Street Tampa. Enjoy chocolate treats from Hampton Chocolate Factory and personalized calligraphy from Inky Fingers Calligraphy while crafting your custom ornament. Tix + details here.*

6 festive activities this week in Tampa Bay

A sign for the Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park. The closeup shot also features a wreath.

Time is running out for festive TBAY fun. | Photo by TBAYtoday

There are mere days left until Christmas arrives. If you find time away from the wrapping paper, food planning, and ho-ho-hoarding presents, here are six ways to get festive before time runs out:

Winter Village, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Tampa
Enjoy ice skating, vendors, themed nights, and food + drink options through Monday, Jan. 1.

Christmas Town, Busch Gardens, Tampa
Visit the animals and enjoy dazzling light shows, ice skating performances, and holiday treats until Sunday, Jan. 7.

Santa in the Park, North Straub Park, St. Pete
Plead your case to end up on the nice list and snap a photo with Mr. Claus through Friday, Dec. 23.

Snowcat Ridge, Dade City
Enjoy tubing, Santa’s Christmas lane, ice skating, food + drink options, and snowball fights (with real snow) at Florida’s only snow park — we’ve already been.

2 more here

The Buy

The Buy 12.18.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

A great game you can break out with the family this holiday season. Learn the rules to “Ransom Notes” in under a minute and get ready for belly laughs.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Patrick

From the editor

What are your go-to holiday treats? I am a sucker for a baked Camembert with honey drizzled on top. Let me know.

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