This dredge-and-fill operation was undertaken at the height of the Florida Land Boom by developer and Tampa native D. P. Davis.

He planned a resort community with three hotels, nine-hole golf course, airport, and swimming pool.

The development stalled when the Florida land boom of the early 1920s wound down, and Davis was mysteriously lost at sea while making a transatlantic voyage in October 1926.

[3] Many of the original Mediterranean-style structures are still standing and have received national Historic Designation, as well as local protections.

[9] The Davis Islands Trail linear park was completed in 2010, with amenities such as benches and water fountains.

The 10-foot-wide asphalt trail is 1.3 miles and runs from Channel Drive and Davis Boulevard to the parking lot at Peter O. Knight Airport.

[3] Other sports facilities include the Sandra W. Freedman Tennis Complex and an array of softball fields at Davis Islands Park.

Derek Jeter built a 30,875-square-foot (2,868.4 m2), seven-bedroom, nine-bathroom waterfront home in the vicinity, drawing comparisons to an aircraft carrier.

[10] Other notable neighborhood residents include Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, former NFL player Brad Culpepper, former Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier, Lightning players Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman, former New York Yankees player Tino Martinez, and former Tampa mayor Bob Buckhorn.