Historic Uptown - A Thriving Community

Over the past few years, the Historic Uptown neighborhood of St. Petersburg Florida—comprised of the South Crescent Lake, Round Lake, and Bon Air neighborhoods—has become a vibrant community. For those looking for a small-town feel close to the urban downtown center, this might just be the right place to settle down.

Historic Uptown Neighborhood Association president Jonathan Chalker recently completed CONA Leadership, an annual program sponsored by the Council of Neighborhood Association. Along with an active, involved group of association officers and board members, he’s helped foster a community focused on crime prevention, beautification, and teamwork.

Many homes in the Historic Uptown district were built during or before the 1920’s. According to the Historic Uptown Neighborhood Association’s website, the architectural styles found in the district include: Frame and Masonry Vernacular, Craftsman Bungalow, Minimal Traditional, Tudor Revival, Mediterranean Revival, Colonial Revival, Prairie, Mission, Classical Revival, Dutch Colonial Revival, American Foursquare, Art Moderne, and Minimal Traditional. The variety of historic homes, multitude of brick streets, and unique hexagon sidewalks help give the Historic Uptown neighborhoods a quaint, small town charm.

But if you ask the neighbors, the real character comes from the sense of kinship and active community.

“I have never lived in a community where so many people from so many different walks of life get along so well - and get together so often!” says resident Mari Gillogy. “Before I moved here, I couldn't wait to move out of Florida and into a small downtown community up north where everyone was more friendly and happy to get involved in events that really matter locally. Now, I don't have to - everything I wanted is right here!”

Garage sales, porch parties, street bowling, potluck dinners, and group clean-ups are just some of the activities that bring the residents of Historic Uptown out to gather and work together. After a recent community garage sale, the Neighborhood Associated donated a portion of proceeds to the local Red Cross chapter.

“In Historic Uptown, we're all activists for the same cause,” Gillogy says. “Making sure our neighborhood is the best place in town to put down some roots.”

The residents and their active organization have revitalized the heart and soul of the Historic Uptown Neighborhood. You can see it as properties are renovated, yards are spruced up, the arts and culture are embraced, and evenings become time to stroll or bike to meet your fellow neighbors.

For more information, please visit the Historic Uptown Neighborhood Association's website.