Tierra Verde

Tierra Verde

Tierra Verde was once 15 islands covered with mangroves, pines and bush. The 15 original islands are now the present six areas of Tierra Verde: Monte Cristo, Entrada, Pinellas Bayway, Sands Point, East Shore (Bayview) and West Shore (Oceanview). For centuries, Native Americans used the islands for ceremonial and burial grounds. During the Spanish–American War of 1898, Fort De Soto was built. Remains of the fort still stand, along with fortifications on Egmont Key. In 1948 the federal government sold Mullet Key to Pinellas County for park and recreation facilities, now Fort De Soto Park.

At first, the only way to get to Tierra Verde was by boat. By December 1962, there was a road and a bridge to Tierra Verde. In January 1963, Guy Lombardo’s Port O’ Call Resort had its grand opening, where Frank Sinatra, Marlene Dietrich, Liberace, Mel Tormé, and many other musical and theatrical stars would later perform. Two episodes of the popular TV show Route 66 were filmed there. The place was hopping with celebrities. Nowadays, the area of Tierra Verde is complete with pricey mansions, condos and shopping plazas as a bedroom community for nearby St. Pete.