St. Petersburg Home Earned Historic Landmark Status

The City Council unanimously designated the 1937 residence of Peter and Jeanne Meinke as a protected historic landmark.

Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Interior Decorating

Screen-print poster illustration of a historic 1930s Florida-style cottage, featuring warm earth tones and a stylized oak tree. — The St. Petersburg City Council has unanimously designated the 1937 home on Wildwood Lane SE as a protected historic landmark. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should local governments prioritize designating older private homes as protected historic landmarks?

St. Petersburg officials have granted historic landmark status to a home at 147 Wildwood Lane SE. This decision recognizes the property as the first residence built in the Driftwood neighborhood.

Why it matters

The designation honors early local architectural history and the creative legacies of the home's longtime owners. It ensures that any future exterior modifications to the structure will now require formal city review.

Built in 1937, the residence at 147 Wildwood Lane SE features a Minimal Traditional style with English Vernacular Revival elements. It met 5 criteria for historic significance and 7 measures of historic integrity to qualify for the designation.

The players

Peter Meinke

He is a 93-year-old poet and writer who taught for 27 years at Eckerd College.

Jeanne Meinke

She was an artist and collaborator who passed away at age 87.

Mark Dixon Dodd

He was the architect responsible for the original 1937 design of the residence.

St. Petersburg City Council

The local governing body that holds the authority to grant historic landmark status to properties.

The details

Designed by Mark Dixon Dodd, the home was purchased by Peter and Jeanne Meinke in 1970. The property retains its historic character despite a 1971 garage fire rebuild and a 1974 porch enclosure.

The house was constructed in 1937.
Peter and Jeanne Meinke purchased the home in September 1970.
The garage was rebuilt after a fire in 1971.
A side porch was enclosed in 1974.
The City Council approved the landmark designation on October 1, 2026.

Culture Shift

The designation reflects a broader movement to preserve mid-century residential character against modernization pressures. By protecting this early Driftwood property, the city anchors its local identity in specific architectural legacies rather than generic redevelopment.

Residents living in designated historic homes should be aware that all exterior alterations now require city review and approval. This process protects property character but adds a layer of administrative planning for future maintenance or renovation projects.

The takeaway

Historic designation serves as a legal tool to balance private property rights with the public interest in architectural heritage. Homeowners interested in local history should consult city guidelines early if they plan significant modifications to historic facades.