Gulfport Beach Park is an open beach recreation area located on Shore Boulevard South between 54th and 58th Streets. We invite you to walk along with us as we take a closer look and gain a little flavor of the atmosphere in the Waterfront District of this very special and historic small city.

We will begin our visit on the corner of Beach Blvd and Shore Blvd, in the heart of the Waterfront District. Shore Boulevard is the East/West “Main Street” along the beach. Across the street we see the historic Gulfport Casino Ballroom, the centerpiece of the beach district.

The original Casino was built near this spot in 1934 and is home for a variety of activities throughout the year including dances. We just missed the Feb. 14^th “Valentine’s Day Sock Hop” (Remember those?) The Ballroom boasts a 5,000 sq. ft., authentic 1930’s (and recently renovated) white Maple hardwood dance floor! In addition to the many public events held each year, the Casino is available for private rental as well. We hear it provides quite the setting for weddings.

A spur line was built off the St. Pete trolly line and It is not too difficult to picture in our imaginations the early trolly cars pulling up to the Casino entrance and the ladies and their gentlemen stepping off in their best 1930’s finery for an evening of live music, dancing and... well, after all prohibition had just ended in 1933!

Preceding the Casino itself, in 1905, a 700’ dock was built out into the bay for boats to pick up passengers and take them out to the very popular Pass-a-Grille area. A year later the trolly line was extended to the far end of the dock for passengers to easily step from trolly to boat.

If you are a history buff like us, we invite you to read an excellent piece by Roger Turner about the history of the Casino Ballroom. You will also see some early photos of the Casino Ballroom and its surroundings. See the link below.

Facing the Ballroom and turning to our right, the wide sandy beach extends Westerly before us. There are several pink picnic shelters at the back of the beach and the views of the Bay, the boats and Pass-a-Grille beyond are almost beyond description. It truly is a place you must see for yourself! There is a large parking lot toward that end of the beach.

Turning to our left on Shore Boulevard from the Ballroom we see the long walkway beside the building going out to the marina docks. Farther along that waterfront we approach the 521’ Bert and Walter Williams Fishing Pier. It is free to stroll and see some great views of the Bay. There are benches and a fish cleaning table for the fishermen and women.

Continuing past the fishing pier and just around the corner,