George Gandy - St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg

In 1903, Gandy followed fellow Philadelphian trolley entrepreneur, F. A. Davis, to St. Petersburg, Florida, leading several of Davis's companies including St. Petersburg's trolley system. Gandy and Davis eventually parted ways and Gandy settled permanently in St. Petersburg with his wife and five children in 1912. That year, he purchased land downtown and built La Plaza Theatre and office buildings. The plaza was criticized by many as "Gandy's White Elephant" but it soon made hefty profits and silenced the critics. The $150,000 theatre drew such attractions as John Philip Sousa's band and the controversial landmark film The Birth of a Nation.

In 1910, Gandy began discussion with fellow entrepreneur H. Walter Fuller regarding the best route for a bridge across Old Tampa Bay. Gandy formed a company called the Gandy Bridge Company and, in 1915, decided on a final route. Gandy and Fuller were partners until Fuller sold his share for $500 after declaring bankruptcy in 1918. Within a few years, he had obtained right-of-way at either end of the bridge but needed to garner support for the rights over the bay itself. After obtaining the backing of numerous local businessmen as well as both U.S. Senator Duncan U. Fletcher and U.S. Representative Herbert J. Drane, Gandy's plans were finally approved by the Department of War on February 11, 1918. Financing for the bridge stalled, however, due in part to Gandy's refusal to spend his own considerable savings. In September 1922, Gandy hired a team to sell stock in the bridge and, after $2 million was raised in only 122 days, construction began in 1923. When Florida Governor Cary A. Hardee ceremonially opened the bridge on November 20, 1924, it was the longest over-water highway in the world. At the dedication, Gandy's entire speech was four words: "The bridge is built!"