Aerial Views of Treasure Island, FL (1968)

Here's another rare old film from my collection. Back in the Summer of 1968, I took my first plane ride in Florida. I loaded my trusty 16mm Bolex with a roll of B&W film and away we go!
You'll see my Dad enter the now-vintage Mooney Statesman aircraft followed by his friend Ken Griffing. I entered last and off we went! I believe the airport was in St. Petersburg but I'm not sure after 40 years. You'll see views below as we head westward towards Treasure Island. The beach area was relatively undeveloped compared to today. You'll see the Thunderbird and Buccaneer Motels at the intersection of Gulf Blvd and the Treasure Island Causeway. Then we land safely as our trip back in time ends.
Filmed: July 26, 1968

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Kerry
• Decker
• Treasure
• Island
• FL
• Florida
• St.
• Petersburg
• aircraft
• mooney
• statesman
• Bolex
• 1968
• film

[SouthernProvidence]

Notice how close the ocean was to the Thunderbird then, looks like around 75 feet tops.(1:45 and 2:30) Today on Google Earth it shows 760 feet. Our family station wagon could have been there, we went in July each year from '68 to '74.

[KKD1247]

Yes...I too noticed the difference - in person - in the size of the beach from when I was a tourist until I became a FL resident.

[pianodon]

Great video. What was the airport where you landed? And what was the music? Thanks!

[KKD1247]

Thanks! I can't remember where the nearby airport was, but I believe it was a county airport around St Petersburg, FL.

[kissfan003]

Thanks for this. It's a little before my time as I mived there in 78,but it brings back many memories.

[kissfan003]

@cessnaverdi There was also a Hojo on North Redington Beach which now houses The Conch Republic Grill

[TheRedneckGamers]

Wow thats crazy. I go to treasure Island for spring break and im only 14 and it seems alot different. Great video!

[cessnaverdi]

@PaulaKruger Yes, there certainly was a HoJo on Gulf Blvd at one time - I remember it well. It's now a Waffle House, and the portion of the property that housed the hotel rooms is now a 'condo-hotel.'

[MistyClendenen1]

Thank you for sharing this!!!!! We Vacation frequently at The Sea Chest and hope to call this wonderful place our home one day!!!!

[enrique68]

For this pilot who was born the year this footage was taken and who just moved to Treasure Island, this video is a Treasure indeed.

[katswind]

Albert Whitted airport, it looks like....flew out of there myself , many times. Love this rare footage, thanks!

[375GTB]

What happend to "The Sands Bar"??

It was next to a small public beach, on the island.

I used to feed the rays, there,... they never hurt anyone...

We had dolphins, too... no sharks!!

J.C.

[PaulaKruger]

January 2010, not 2019

[PaulaKruger]

As a teenager (about 16) who visited treasure island in 1968, this vid provided a link for me to that time. Does anyone remember a HoJo somewhere on the beach?Thanks -- this helps me in the discovery process. (I'm from Chicago -- then and now --january 2019).