George Gandy papers, 1905-1941, Date acquired: 00/00/1980, bulk 1910-1920
Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Gandy, George Sheppard, 1851-1946
- Abstract:
- Materials related to George S. Gandy's business activities in Florida, mid-1900s-1940s.
- Extent:
- 0.42 Linear Feet
- 1 boxes
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
George Gandy Papers, USF Libraries - Tampa Special Collections, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL.
Background
- Scope and content:
Collection consists of records generated by companies that George S. Gandy was affiliated with, including the Emigrant Gulch Mines Company, Florida West Coast Development Company, St. Petersburg Gulf Railway Company, and Gandy Bridge Company. Records include financial documents, land and stockholder warrants, mortgages, receipts, and articles of agreement. Assorted papers include typed and holograph correspondence and newspaper clippings.
- Biographical / historical:
George S. Gandy was born in Tuckahoe, New Jersey on October 20, 1851 (d. 1946). After a brief period of formal education, he found employment as an office boy in a Philadelphia saw manufacturing firm, Henry Disston & Sons. Gandy remained with the company for eleven years before accepting the position of secretary and treasurer for the Frankford & Southwark Railroad Company. He was later promoted to vice-president. During this time, he became associated with a number of trolley companies and was instrumental in the construction of a number of trolley lines. He was also involved in the development of commercial and residential properties.
In 1903, Gandy came to St. Petersburg, FL at the invitation of F.A. Davis, a local developer. Gandy first constructed then managed the La Plaza Theatre and Office Building located at the corner of Central Avenue and Fifth Street in St. Petersburg. He then became president of the St. Petersburg and Gulf Railway Company. His most notable achievement is the construction of the bridge that bears his name and runs across Tampa Bay that links St. Petersburg with Tampa, FL. Bridge construction was completed in 1924 and was maintained by tolls until 1944 when the U.S. government purchased the bridge.
Arsenault, Raymond. "Bridging Tampa Bay." St. Petersburg Centennial, City Times 8 June 1988, 22.
Official Opening Program and Pictorial History of the Gandy Bridge, November 20, 1924. [Tampa, FL.] 20 November 1924.
Whitney, Donald. The History of the Original Gandy Bridge. Master's thesis, University of South Florida, 1981.
Note written by unknown
- Acquisition information:
Unidentified book dealer
Purchase
- Appraisal information:
The material comprises only a fraction of the original collection and, therefore, sufferes from a loss of continuity as well as volume.
- Custodial history:
The papers were sold to a book dealer upon being discovered in a garbage can. The collection was subsequently acquired by USF from said book dealer.
- Arrangement:
Arranged by subject.
- Physical / technical requirements:
Some fragile materials. Care should be used when handling the collection
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Terms of access:
None. The contents of the collection may be subject to copyright. Visit the United States Copyright Office's website at http://www.copyright.gov/ for more information.
- Preferred citation:
George Gandy Papers, USF Libraries - Tampa Special Collections, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL.
- Location of this collection:
-
The University of South Florida, Tampa Campus4202 East Fowler Ave. LIB122TampaFL33620-5400USA
