“Happy 100th Anniversary Don CeSar” This is Something to Think About 11.03.25
Something to Think About
Audio By Carbonatix
“Happy 100th Anniversary Don CeSar”
Bill Bunkley’s “This Is Something to Think About”
Air Date Monday, November 3, 2025
The renowned pink St. Petersburg beach landmark, the Don CeSar Hotel, is celebrating its 100th Anniversary. In 1925, Thomas J. Rowe bought the first 80 acres for the hotel. But Mr. Rowe had a larger vision: he later acquired more acreage to develop the surrounding neighborhood.
Rowe funded the hotel's operations by selling residential lots. The neighborhood has 300 homes, many of which are original.
Presidents, VIP’s, movie stars, and the New York Yankees were some of the guests in the 30s.
For three decades after World War II, The Don served as a convalescent center for airmen recovering from injuries.
The next time you’re in the area, drop into The Don to experience the hotel's history and magnificence, and be sure to check out their Sunday buffet.
Bill Bunkley is a 19-year veteran Salem Media talk show host based in Tampa. The Bill Bunkley Show airs weekdays from 3 to 6 pm across central Florida. Bill is also President of the Florida Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and the legislative consultant to the Florida Baptist State Convention (Southern Baptist Convention Churches), among other churches and entities. He has served as the legislative consultant to the Florida Baptist State Convention for the last 29 years at the state capitol in Tallahassee. By the Grace of his Lord Jesus, he is today a cancer survivor diagnosed in 2018 with AML Leukemia, having successfully undergone a bone marrow transplant that same year. His wife is Toni, son is Zac, and they attend Idlewild Baptist Church.
Copyright © William H. (Bill) Bunkley 2025 All Rights Reserved
