Pierce Gahan: Recreation Pioneer Remembered
February 12, 2026The Educator Who Transformed Pinellas County Education for Generations
February 16, 2026Opened in 1926, St. Petersburg’s Million Dollar Pier quickly became one of the city’s most celebrated attractions and a centerpiece of its waterfront entertainment district. The pier and its adjoining Casino offered a variety of recreational opportunities, including Spa Beach, a solarium, and bait houses for local anglers.
It also supported modern infrastructure, featuring a two-lane roadway, a streetcar line, an observation deck, and housing the WSUN radio station, which broadcast to the Tampa Bay region.
The Million Dollar Pier was designed in the Mediterranean Revival style, the most popular architectural trend in St. Petersburg during the 1920s, blending Spanish, Italian, and Moorish elements. Its design complemented other landmarks in the city and reinforced St. Petersburg’s reputation as a stylish winter destination for Northern tourists and a growing urban center.
For over four decades, the pier served as a gathering place for locals and visitors alike, hosting concerts, social events, and daily leisure activities. Due to structural deterioration, the Million Dollar Pier was ultimately demolished in 1967, ending an iconic chapter in St. Petersburg’s waterfront history.