Mar 26 2008
Snow Park – 87 years small
Dedicated in 1921 to Major Henry Snow, this is one of the smallest parks in the world. Located on Kennedy Blvd across from the University of Tampa, the square park looks like it is about ten feet on a side. It also looks like it could use a little TLC.
Perhaps some of the fine folks at UT could speak a few hours washing this little gem up until it shines again. It won’t be long until it hits the 100 year mark.
I have not been able to find out much information on Henry Snow, other than he sat on the city government prior to the park being dedicated. If anyone knows more, then please, add to the posting. Information is always appreciated.
Our friends at the Tampa Bay History center tell us that a Henry Snow was a city commissioner in 1921, and he proposed that the city purchase Davis Islands. Not sure if this is the same “Major” Henry Snow…
http://sticksoffire.com/2006/04/08/tampa-to-buy-island/
I don’t know if this is the same Henry Snow you are after but was told that Henry E. Snow married Bisland Carkeet in Natchez, Mississippi 8 May 1884, so far found only one child; Ralph Snow. I think it was said he was the mayor of Tampa but might have miss understood and he was a Major Henry Snow?
The New York Times Archives has an articles published March 7, 1881 which talks about “Gen. Sherman descended the Capital Steps wearing his slouch hat and a cloak over his uniform’ later it mentions Capt. Henry Snow, wonder if this is your Major Henry Snow?
Any information on Henry E. and Bisland (Carkeet) Snow would be appreciated.
I have found that there was a Henry E. Snow that was a Tampa City Councilman in 1921. The park dedication is to a Major Henry Snow and was dedicated in 1921. I can not verify if they are one in the same. I don’t have any other information.
Anyone else know anything? This is gonna be a mystery to be solved for me.
i don’t know much either, except he was my great great uncle,and was a ww1 hero and was related to anna maria belle, the true founder of anna maria island, he was also related to adrian marcus snow a ww1 navy officer. unfortunately i did not find out any of this info until after my mother passed, but i am still searching.
…heard it is in guinness book for being
the smallest park in the world(?)…
I have pics of Snow Park and info on Henry Snow on my website at http://www.tampapix.com, which I obtained from a City of Tampa Parks Dept employee. Here’s what they said:
Snow Park was dedicated to Major Henry E. Snow in 1921. The original marble monument was erected in 1926, shortly after Major Snow’s death.
Major Snow’s obituary in the Wednesday, October 13, 1926 issue of The Tampa Daily Times refers to him as “one of Tampa’s best known and best loved citizens.” It further states that “no man who has ever lived in Tampa has given more generously of his time and his resources to the promotion of the city’s best interests.”
Tampa was Major Snow’s adopted city. He was born in Harwichport, Massachusetts in 1861. He married the former Miss Bisland Carket of Natchez, Mississippi in May of 1884. They had four sons, Ralph, Milton, Everett and Spencer, and a daughter, Betty. Major Snow was elected as a member of the city’s Board of Public Works in 1910 and was reelected three times. When the commission form of government was adopted by Tampa, he was elected a member of the commission. At the end of his term he refused to stand for reelection. The City Hall, Lafayette Street bridge, fire station, library, sewer system and miles of paved streets were all built during his term of service.
A pioneer “drummer” in Tampa, he later organized a wholesale grocery business, Snow and Bryan which began in business on May 1, 1903 and was dissolved in 1921 when Major Snow retired.
Major Snow was one of the founders of the South Florida Fair Association, was an ardent supporter of the Children’s Home, Salvation Army and took an active part in the affairs of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and was Grand Marshal of the annual parade for several years.
PS, he’s not the same Henry Snow from the Civil War. He is the one who married in Natchez. There is no info on how he is a Major. Judging from his birth year, it would have had to be in WW1.
Sorry, one more note: On my website I have a picture of Henry E. Snow with the members of the 1922 Directors and officers of the South Florida Fair and Gasparilla Assn at Plant Field, and a photo of his house on Bayshore flooded by the hurricane of 1921.
Thanks for all that info, Dan. Nice site too.
Thanks George. Now lets see if we can get some paint put on that “gazebo”! (Or at least a good pressure wash.) As for it being the world’s smallest park, it probably was up until 1946. I believe that record now goes to Mill Ends Park in Portland, Oregon now. See:
http://www.portlandonline.com/parks/finder/index.cfm?PropertyID=265&action=ViewPark
That ridiculously small park measures around 450 square inches. Tampa claims Snow park to be 150 square feet, which is obviously much less than the triangle of land that the 13 oak trees occupy. This leads me to believe that the official area of the park is the area of the Greek “gazebo” only.
Either way, I still believe Snow Park is the world’s smallest official park FOR PEOPLE. Mill Ends Park (about 20 inches by 20 inches) was created for LEPRECHAUNS and has a swimming pool for butterflies. Gimme a break.