I've lived in Clearwater for years and thought I had seen and heard it all by now. The Jungle Prada Site Tour had been listed in the Weekender Guide for weeks and I finally decided to go see what it was all about. Wow, another great and new adventure. First of all, the Jungle Prada area (so named for its lush vegetation) could be described as the Beverly Hills of Pinellas county with its brick streets and mansions right on Boca Ciega Bay across from Treasure Island. The tour parking lot was clearly marked with signs and a good landmark for finding the place is the Jungle Prada Tavern on the corner of Park and Elbow. David Anderson is the tour guide, a third generation of owners of the property. David grew up on the property and knows every little detail of the grounds and its proximity to other interesting and historical sites. The tour begins in his grandmother's greenhouse now used as a museum with excavation artifacts, maps, books and other enlightening items displayed. Until the tour begins, David encourages you to check it all out, venture into the lush gardens and/or watch the loop video. Then David begins the tour by telling you the story of the Jungle Prada area from prehistoric times through today. It was fascinating and I learned so much about this area and why things are named today, i.e., John's Pass. The JP Tavern was a speak easy in the Roaring Twenties hosting famous and infamous celebrities getting their booze delivered by boat. A street car system was built to haul people from downtown St. Pete to the jungle's opulent hotels to see the sunset over the barrier islands now Treasure Island. I thought I would never sympathize with the plight of a Spanish conquistador until David explained the ill-fated expedition of Narvaez who landed here in 1528. Talk about bad luck. David continually apologized for talking too long but no one seemed to mind. In fact, we were all enthralled. Then David took us into the gardens that his grandparents had built in the 40s. There are peacocks everywhere. David explains everything including Grandpa "Happy" Anderson's refusal to pay someone to lay his Augusta brick driveway and walkways. It took him two years to complete the task. Then we came to the Tocobaga Indian mounds. The Spanish recorded that the main building on site could house 300 people. David's grandparents' ashes were spread on this mound. There are three gravestones there. One is for grandma's favorite pets named after TV characters. The tour ends back at the greenhouse. At the nearby pier there is a plaque commemorating the First Mass in Florida 1528. If you go there look at the foundation of the adjacent building shaped like a ship. I will be returning to the Jungle with my visitors. They will be amazed. You will be too.
Réponse de l'hôte
Jul 2019
Robert, we really appreciate your detailed review, and are so glad that the tour made a positive impression. Thank you for coming to check us out, and we look forward to seeing you again in the future!