Albert Whitted Airport Live Cam

St. Petersburg, also known as Petrograd and Leningrad at different times in history, has a rich toponymic history that reflects its diverse cultural influences and storied past. Here are some key aspects of toponymy in St. Petersburg:

• Origins of the City's Name: St. Petersburg was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, who named it in honor of Saint Peter, the patron saint of Peter the Great. The name "Petersburg" (Петербург) is a Germanic-style name, reflecting the influence of the German culture on Peter the Great and the early city's administration.
• Historical Renaming: Throughout its history, St. Petersburg has undergone several name changes reflecting the shifting political and ideological priorities of the ruling powers. It was renamed Petrograd in 1914, following the outbreak of World War I, to sound less Germanic. After the Russian Revolution, it was renamed Leningrad in 1924, in honor of Vladimir Lenin. However, in 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the city reverted to its original name, St. Petersburg.
• Street Names: St. Petersburg has a rich tradition of naming its streets after significant historical figures, cultural icons, and famous landmarks. For example, Nevsky Prospect, the city's most famous street, is named after Alexander Nevsky, a medieval Russian prince and national hero. Other streets are named after poets, composers, scientists, and writers who have made significant contributions to Russian culture.
• Toponyms Reflecting the City's Geography: Many of St. Petersburg's toponyms reflect the city's unique geography, which is characterized by its many rivers, canals, and islands. For example, Vasilievsky Island, one of the city's largest islands, is named after Basil III, a sixteenth-century Russian tsar. Other toponyms, such as the Griboedov Canal, the Moika River, and the Fontanka River, are named after prominent waterways in the city.
• Soviet-era Toponyms: During the Soviet era, many of the city's toponyms were changed to reflect communist ideology and revolutionary heroes. For example, Palace Square, the site of many important historical events, was renamed Revolution Square, while the city's central station, Moskovsky Station, was renamed October Station in honor of the October Revolution.

Overall, the toponymy of St. Petersburg reflects the city's diverse cultural heritage and complex history, and serves as a testament to the enduring significance of place names in shaping our understanding of the past.

Revolution and Soviet era (1917–1941)

The Revolution of 1917 and the subsequent Soviet era had a significant impact on the toponymy of St. Petersburg. Here are some key aspects:

• Renaming of Streets and Squares: Following the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, many of St. Petersburg's streets and squares were renamed to reflect the new communist ideology and revolutionary heroes. For example, Palace Square was renamed Revolution Square, and Alexander III Square was renamed Uritsky Square, after the Bolshevik leader Moisei Uritsky.
• Toponyms Reflecting Soviet History: Many of the city's toponyms were changed to reflect Soviet history and the achievements of the new socialist state. For example, Pulkovo Airport was renamed Shosseynaya Airport, after the Soviet military leader Nikolai Shosseynikov, and the city's main train station was renamed October Station, in honor of the October Revolution.
• Iconic Soviet Monuments: The Soviet era also saw the construction of iconic monuments and buildings in St. Petersburg, such as the Battleship Aurora, which played a key role in the Bolshevik Revolution, and the Kirov Palace, named after the Bolshevik leader Sergey Kirov.
• Leningrad Siege and Hero City: During World War II, St. Petersburg, then called Leningrad, was under siege by German forces for 900 days. The city endured tremendous hardships during this time, including extreme cold, starvation, and bombing raids. After the war, the city was designated a "Hero City" by the Soviet government, and many new monuments and memorials were built to commemorate the city's resistance and sacrifice.

Overall, the Revolution and Soviet era had a significant impact on the toponymy of St. Petersburg, reflecting the ideological priorities and historical events of the time. Despite the political changes and upheavals of the twentieth century, the city's toponyms continue to serve as a reminder of its rich and complex history.

Albert Whitted Airport

Albert Whitted Airport is a small, general aviation airport located in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, United States. The airport was named after local aviator Albert Whitted, who was killed in a training accident in 1923.

The airport was established in 1928 and has been in continuous operation since then, serving the general aviation needs of the St. Petersburg area. Today, the airport is owned and operated by the City of St. Petersburg and serves as a hub for private and corporate aircraft, as well as a training facility for student pilots.

The airport has a single runway that is 3,677 feet long, which can accommodate small to mid-sized aircraft, such as single-engine and light twin-engine planes. In addition to its runway, the airport has several aircraft hangars, fueling facilities, and a fixed-base operator that provides services such as aircraft maintenance, flight instruction, and aircraft rentals.

Albert Whitted Airport has a rich history in aviation, having served as a military training facility during World War II, and as a base for the United States Coast Guard's search and rescue operations in the Gulf of Mexico during the 1960s. Today, the airport is a popular destination for private pilots and aviation enthusiasts, offering scenic flights over the Gulf of Mexico and the surrounding area, as well as a range of aviation-related events and activities throughout the year.

• Location: The airport is situated on a peninsula jutting out into Tampa Bay, with a waterfront location that offers stunning views of the downtown St. Petersburg skyline and the bay itself.
• Economic Impact: Albert Whitted Airport generates significant economic activity for the St. Petersburg area, with a 2019 study estimating that the airport contributes more than $26 million annually to the local economy and supports nearly 200 jobs.
• Community Involvement: The airport is an active member of the St. Petersburg community and regularly hosts events and activities that are open to the public. For example, the airport hosts a weekly farmers' market, as well as a monthly airplane show and a variety of aviation-related educational programs for local students.
• Environmental Sustainability: The airport is committed to environmental sustainability and has implemented a number of initiatives aimed at reducing its carbon footprint and promoting eco-friendly practices. These initiatives include the use of solar power to generate electricity, the installation of energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems, and the use of environmentally-friendly cleaning products.
• Notable Visitors: Over the years, Albert Whitted Airport has welcomed a number of notable visitors, including President George H.W. Bush, who landed at the airport during a campaign stop in 1992, and astronaut John Glenn, who flew into the airport on his personal aircraft in 1997.