The “White Queen of the Gulf” with its shining white paint and green shingle roof was not always painted white. This is just one of the many discoveries in the CELEBRATING THE BELLEVIEW BILTMORE HOTEL EXHIBITION. The exhibition came together with help and encouragement from Joey Vars, Historian and Sandi HiU, Belleview Inn, along with Clearwater Historical Society all volunteers. Built by railroad tycoon Henry B. Plant in 1897 the Belleview-Biltmore Hotel once stood 350,000 square feet and served as a grand resort, one time lodging for WWII servicemen, and destination for the firsttime tourists to Florida’s west coast. Over a century of guests entered its doors and continue today in the present day 35 room Belleview Inn opened in 2018.
Many thanks to the Belleview Inn staff andJMC Development President,J. Michael Cheezem, for making this first time exhibit and opening a grand event.
