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A 'Historic' Anniversary For Hyde Park Residents

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By JAMIE PILARCZYK

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 23, 2008

HISTORIC HYDE PARK - When the Historic Hyde Park Neighborhood Association was looking for a theme for its summer gathering coming up Saturday, the anniversary of its historic designation gave members plenty of reason to celebrate.

It is, after all, the reason many move to the more-than-800-unit community southwest of downtown.

"Absolutely," said Mary Heise, who moved to the neighborhood in 2002 and whose second home was featured in this year's home tour. "We really enjoy it."

In 1988, residents of the neighborhood asked the city to follow the National Register of Historic Places' recommendation and name their community "historic."

To celebrate the 20-year milestone, the neighborhood association will host a dinner and membership drive Saturday. Held at Bailey's Catering and Restaurant, the barbecue dinner will be a way for residents to get to know each other and become involved in the association.

The association's activities include planning social events, hosting the annual tour of homes fundraiser and acting as a conduit between the city and neighborhood. The members are working with the VFW Post 4321 on Morrison Avenue, destroyed by fire last year, with renovations, drawing on the expertise of professionals living in the neighborhood.

"That's what we really want to foster, and the more people who come, the more talents we will find to make this a great neighborhood," said Heise, chairwoman of the social committee.

The 600 acres are roughly bounded by Rome and Howard avenues, Bayshore Boulevard and the Selmon Crosstown Expressway, Horatio Street and South Boulevard. It includes Hyde Park Village.

Roger Grunke moved to the neighborhood in 1981. He helped lead the fight for the historic designation, controversial at the time because opponents were scared of losing property rights.

"It is more a matter of extra care," Grunke said. "Anything that is going to be special requires extra care."

Renovation nightmares aside, the strict architectural requirements are an investment in continuity and character, the board member and former president said. He said it also just makes sense.

"You have to be true to the style of the house. You can't put a Georgian lamp on a craftsman bungalow," Grunke said. "It's as apparent as not putting $300 sneakers with a tuxedo. There is nothing wrong with the running shoes, but they don't go with a tuxedo."

L.H. Platt mapped out the community in 1886 and named it after his childhood neighborhood on Chicago's South Side. The orange groves were soon replaced with Mediterranean revival, bungalow and classic revival homes that were popular during that period (1893 to 1920). In the 1970s, there was a rebirth of new residences and renovations before the 1988 naming of the historic district.

"There is overwhelming evidence that it has been an asset," Grunke said. "Tampa has other beautiful neighborhoods, but the historic architecture and authentic architecture are a few things that set it apart."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Historic Hyde Park party

WHEN: 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Bailey's Catering and Restaurant, 815 S. Rome Ave.

COST: Free to association members, those who join that night for $35 and children 12 and younger; $10 for nonmembers.

CONTACT: Reservations are requested; call the association at (813) 254-8639 or e-mail hhpnarsvp@verizon.net.

Reporter Jamie Pilarczyk can be reached at (813) 259-7661 or jpilarczyk@tampatrib.com.

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