8/10/2019 Abstract Straub

1/2

Abstract: William Straub

William L. Straub was born on July 14, 1867, in Dowagiac, Michigan. His parents were

Henry and Mary Straub, and he was educated in Michigan. He entered the newspaper business

early in life, his first business endeavor being in the Dakota Territory (North Dakota didnt exist

yet). Over the span of a decade (1889-1899), he was owner and editor of the Sergeant County

Rustler and the Oakes Weekly Republican, and associate editor of the Grand Forks Daily Herald.

In 1900, William Straub came to St. Petersburg. On April 1, 1901, he bought the St.

Petersburg Times for $1,300 and turned it into a daily newspaper. St. Pete had 7,300 citizens, but

he had the foresight to picture it as a large city. After buying the newspaper, he campaigned to

have the city own the waterfront to protect from over-development of the waterfront (which

wasnt as much of a concern then). He used his papers editorial page to push for public

ownership of the port, and in 1908, the city agreed to procure the land along the waterfront. This

was just the start of Straubs lasting impact on the city of St. Petersburg.

William Straub continuously strived for civic and community advancement until his

death in 1939. He was extremely involved in the development of St. Petersburg. He was one of

the organizers and president of the Chamber of Commerce of St. Petersburg; he organized and

was president of the Pinellas County Board of Trade; he organized and was president of the St.

Petersburg Rotary Club; he organized and was first presiding officer of the St. Petersburg Tarpon

Club; and he was one of the organizers of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, and served on its Board

of Members.

8/10/2019 Abstract Straub

2/2

William Straub was a great leader and was continuously seeking improvement for the

city. He continued as associate editor of the St. Petersburg Times until his death, though he sold

the majority of the Times to Paul Poynter in 1912.

Straub was a very strong leader and definitely left a lasting legacy. He had several points

of leadership. He had a vision of St. Pete being a prosperous city; not to say it wasnt a

prosperous city when he was living there, but it was just a tiny town. He was the one who

persuaded the city to hire a city planner to help the city grow more. The planner mapped out

parks and roads for a major city. Straub also lobbied Floridas legislators for a county separate

from Hillsborough. Five years later he was successful, and Pinellas County was created.

His primary legacy was the creation of Pinellas County, organization of many different

groups and to help get St. Petersburgs waterfront property publicly owned. This property

includes Straub Park, Vinoy Park and Bayboro Basin. St. Petersburg would be very different if

Straub hadnt moved here; a lot of people wouldnt be here and the citys infrastructure would be

completely different. Straub was also the head postmaster from 1916-1922. He wrote a book

about the history of Pinellas County and about many people who helped define the Pinellas

Peninsula. He included himself in the biographies in the book.

Sources:

History of Pinellas County, Florida by William Straub

http://www.southernrootsrealty.com/our-southern-roots.html

http://www.flpress.com/node/77

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1992-03-29/news/9203271106_1_petersburg-waterfront-

straub