Shuffleboard in Florida

The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “This Place Matter’s Contest” photo contest has chosen finalists, and one is from Florida. Christine Page’s image of the Shuffleboard Club in St. Pete is one of 12 photos chosen from over 2,000 entries, including several of my own (see recent posts.) Voting lasts until October 9, click here to register to vote for your favorite (I'm partial to Miller's Grocery.)

Here's some good info on the St. Pete Shuffleboard Club: "It's not only the world's largest shuffleboard club – we're talking more than 60 courts – it's also one of the most historic. This is where the game came of age in the first half of the 20th century: At one time, the club boasted as many as 5,000 members. Now, the facility, like the sport itself, has lost some of its luster, but it still hosts a busy slate of tournaments. Best of all, it encourages everyday folks to participate. It costs all of a buck to play (equipment provided) and club members are often around to offer a pointer or two. Summer hours vary, so it pays to check ahead to see if the club is open." - Palm Beach Post, June 3, 2007

Shuffleboard is a large part of Florida’s popular culture, as the image of snowbirds and seniors in black socks and sandals playing shuffleboard is an image that will be forever tied to our state. These images from the state archives seem to perpetuate that stereotype....

Tin Can Tourists were vacationers who came to Florida in campers in the early 20th century. Here you see shuffleboard at a typical Tin Can Tourist Camp.

More Tin Can Shuffleboard

Ever stylish shuffleboarders take the sport to a whole new glamorous level.

It's hard in this day and age to think of Shuffleboard as a spectator sport, but evidently it once was... this is St. Pete.

I'm thinking she didn't actually play in those heels...

More spectator Shuffle board in St. Pete. From the "nose bleed" seats.

Shuffleboard at Cypress Gardens...

In 1924, the Kissimmee All-States Tourist Club, or KAST Club, was organized to attract tourists to the to the Kissimmee area. This senior citizens club, helped create the nearby Monument of States. That influence is apparent on the entry to the KAST Club’s shuffleboard courts, as it is made up of some of the same stones that are used on the monument. Today this court, like the one in St. Pete, stands testament to a simpler time in Florida and both are very much places that matter today...