Created By: Indian Rocks Beach Action 2000, Inc.
The IRB Historical Tour includes twelve historical markers. Come to Indian Rocks Beach with your bike and tour around to our various historical spots.
The tour is about three miles from start to finish. Start at the “Beach Cottage” marker which is home to our IRB Historical Museum, a preserved 1914 cottage, in beautiful Chic-a-Si Park. Head down 1st Street to our "Fish House" historical marker. At the end of 1st Street and Gulf Blvd. is the “Historic Homes of the Narrows” marker featuring three of our oldest homes dating from the late 1800s to early 1900s.. Across Gulf Blvd. and south to the Central Avenue Beach Access brings us the “Tourist Center of the Narrows” marker. This area was a popular tourist destination in the early 1900s. From there head south to a beautiful waterfront area in the Narrows that shows where "The Old IRB Swing Bridge” used to be located. Near this marker you will find a perfect spot to enjoy the view of the intracoastal waterways on a beautiful wooden swing.
Walk or bike about a half mile north on Gulf Blvd. to the 5th Avenue beach access and see two original cottages from 1917 and 1919, the historical marker there is called "Haven Beach." The tour continues north a block on Gulf Blvd. to the "Haven Beach Yacht Basin" marker where the first planned community was established on the beach. Continue north on Gulf Blvd. to 12th Avenue to the "Big Indian Rocks Beach Fishing Pier" marker. This was home to the longest pier that existed in Florida. Continue north along Gulf Blvd. to 15th Avenue to the marked called "Train to the Beach" and learn about the train that used to bring excursionists from Tampa to the beach. Then head east to 15th Avenue and Bay Palm Blvd. to Kolb Park where you will find a marker called "From 'City Park' to Kolb Park." Residents and tourists have enjoyed this green space for over 100 years. The “Civic Center of Indian Rocks” marker is located just a few steps away in front of IRB City Hall. Our last stop brings us back out to Gulf Blvd. and sourth to 12th Avenue to visit the marker called “Stone Houses.” These wonderful stone houses were built by O.G. Creel starting in 1937. From here it is one mile back to the IRB History Museum.
Public restrooms are located at the back of the IRB History Museum, Kolb Park and at the 10th Avenue Nature Preserve. Make a day of it and enjoy one of our many restaurants for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You will love the friendly and quaint atmosphere of Indian Rocks Beach.
The IRB History Museum is open from 10am to 2pm Wednesday to Saturday. It is a treasure of our community!
The IRB Historical Marker Tour is brought to you by IRB Action 2000, Inc. and the Indian Rocks History Society & Museum.
Please send change requests to changerequest@pocketsights.com.