108-534: Oldsmar is a city in Pinellas County, Florida , United States . As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 14,898. The Oldsmar name dates to April 12, 1916, when automobile pioneer Ransom E. Olds purchased 37,541 acres (151.92 km) of land north of Tampa Bay to establish a planned community. Oldsmar is located at 28°02′31″N 82°40′35″W / 28.042061°N 82.676350°W / 28.042061; -82.676350 . According to
216-466: A Bachelor's degree or higher, also slightly higher than Florida's rate of 25.6%. 1921 Tampa Bay hurricane The Tampa Bay hurricane of 1921 (also known as the 1921 Tarpon Springs hurricane ) was a destructive and deadly major hurricane which made landfall in the Tampa Bay area of Florida in late October 1921. The eleventh tropical cyclone , sixth tropical storm, and fifth hurricane of
324-552: A Category 3 hurricane. About 10 hours later, the hurricane made landfall near Tarpon Springs, Florida , with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h). The storm further weakened to a Category 1 hurricane over Central Florida early on October 26, about six hours before emerging into the Atlantic Ocean near New Smyrna Beach . Reaching the Atlantic with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h),
432-611: A French Huguenot from Charleston, South Carolina became the first permanent, non-native resident of the peninsula when he established a plantation near the site of the Tocobaga village in Safety Harbor. It was Philippe who first introduced both citrus culture and cigar -making to Florida. Around the same time, the United States Army began construction of Fort Harrison , named after William Henry Harrison , as
540-918: A bank building on Franklin Street alone. Falling trees also damaged the post office and the YMCA . Almost 500 dwellings in the neighborhood of Ybor City were demolished. Five people were killed in the city, three from people coming into contact with a live wire and the other two from drowning. Only minor damage occurred in Plant City . Throughout Hillsborough County , many county roads were impassable due to downed telegraph poles and other debris, especially between Tampa and Plant City. Tides 5–6 ft (1.5–1.8 m) above normal and storm surge in St. Petersburg damaged or destroyed all four fishing piers. Many ships and boats of all sizes capsized or were beached, including
648-569: A bank, as well as a railroad depot, sawmill, and dock facilities on the 10 miles of waterfront that faced Old Tampa Bay . Outside of town, tracts of land were parcelled up for agriculture. To advertise how good the land was for growing crops and raising livestock, the Reolds Farms Company built a model farm. On the farm was a herd of cattle, horses, pigs, and other livestock. They also had plots planted with potatoes, turnips, beets, celery, and citrus fruits, among other crops. An oil well
756-662: A few churches suffered severe damage or were destroyed. Nearly all walls collapsed and many windows were shattered at the school house. Only one shop remained standing at a plaza with several industrial stores. The vast majority of homes in the city received some degree of damage. Local crops experienced extensive impact, with a local farm losing about 800 boxes worth of fruit. Similar effects occurred in Port Richey . All stores received water damage, while two homes were destroyed and several others were inflicted with varying degrees of impact. In Dade City , Mt. Zion Baptist Church
864-416: A major hurricane impacting the area due to population increases, older building codes, storm surge projections, and complacency among some residents. The combined population of Citrus , Hernando , Hillsborough , Pasco , and Pinellas counties has increased from about 135,000 people in 1921 to approximately 2.7 million by 2011. In Pasco County, more than half of the homes were constructed prior to
972-586: A major impact on the islands, with the Hurricane of 1848 forming John's Pass between Madeira Beach and Treasure Island, a hurricane in 1921 creating Hurricane Pass and cleaving Hog Island into Honeymoon and Caladesi Islands, and 1985's Hurricane Elena sealing Dunedin Pass to join Caladesi with Clearwater Beach . Between the barrier islands and the peninsula are several bodies of water, through which traverses
1080-649: A number of buildings were damaged, including the casinos, cottages, and Crescent Beach resort. The storm also destroyed the mausoleum of Dr. Cyrus Teed , the founder of Koreshanity . Damage in Lee County reached about $ 1.5 million. Along the Myakka River near Boca Grande , the railroad bridge washed away, while the storm also destroyed two vehicular bridges over the Charlotte Harbor Bay . The streets of Punta Gorda were inundated, where
1188-585: A push to secede from Hillsborough. They succeeded, and on January 1, 1912, Pinellas County came into being. The peninsula, along with a small part of the mainland were incorporated into the new county. Aviation history was made in St. Petersburg on January 1, 1914, when Tony Jannus made the world's first scheduled commercial airline flight with the St. Petersburg–Tampa Airboat Line from St. Petersburg to Tampa. The popular open-air St. Petersburg concert venue Jannus Live (formerly known as Jannus Landing) memorializes
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#17327759458491296-492: A rest post for soldiers from nearby Fort Brooke during the Second Seminole War . The new fort was located on a bluff overlooking Clear Water Harbor , which later became part of an early 20th-century residential development (now historic district) called Harbor Oaks . University of South Florida archaeologists excavated the site in 1977 after Alfred C. Wyllie discovered an underground ammunition bunker while digging
1404-667: A section of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway . From north to south they are: St. Joseph Sound between the islands and Dunedin, Clearwater Harbor between Clearwater and Clearwater Beach, and Boca Ciega Bay in the southern third of the county. Connecting Clearwater Harbor to Boca Ciega Bay is a thin, approximately 3.5-mile (5.6 km) stretch of water known as The Narrows, which runs next to the town of Indian Shores. Extending from northeastern Boca Ciega Bay , Long Bayou separates Seminole from St. Petersburg near Bay Pines. Long Bayou once extended significantly farther up
1512-445: A storm surge of 10.5 ft (3.2 m). During the storm, a cyclone-induced tidal wave was reported to have washed away the island's vegetation, which never rebounded. Southward on Anna Maria Island , the storm washed away high ground that was once a characteristic of the north end of the island. In the small fishing village of Cortez , the storm destroyed all of the community's fish houses and docks. The storm surge completely flooded
1620-514: A swimming pool on his estate. Clearwater would later become the first organized community on the peninsula as well as the site of its first post office. The Armed Occupation Act , passed in 1842, encouraged further settlement of Pinellas, like all of Florida, by offering 160 acres (0.65 km ) to anyone who would bear arms and cultivate the land. Pioneer families like the Booths, the Coachmans,
1728-507: A theater, and a hotel. Many residences were also damaged. Electric and telephone wires were downed, leaving the city without power or telephone service. Boats were tossed about in the bay. The city of Oldsmar was devastated by storm surge, with portions of the town being inundated by 6 ft (1.8 m) of water. Many homes were practically demolished. Although no loss of human life occurred, many cattle drowned. In Tarpon Springs , streets were littered with masses of debris. Sections of
1836-510: A tide of 7 ft (2.1 m) above normal was recorded. One death occurred in the city due to drowning. At Egmont Key , above normal tides forced 75 people to seek shelter in the lighthouse . The entire island was inundated by water. In Manatee County , the storm demolished much of the waterfront not only along Tampa Bay , but also Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, On Passage Key , sustained winds of 75 mph (121 km/h) and
1944-487: A vacant lot and everyone got to dig for it. In 1927 Prettyman was caught selling underwater lots. To avoid scandal, the town of Oldsmar was renamed Tampa Shores. It wasn't until 1935 that the last of the property owned by Olds was finally sold. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 14,898 people, 5,182 households, and 3,707 families residing in the city. As of the 2010 United States census , there were 13,591 people, 4,922 households, and 3,495 families residing in
2052-479: Is 17.8% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 23.0% from 25 to 44, 30.8% from 45 to 64, and 21.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.3 years. For every 100 females there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males. The median income for a household in the county was $ 45,258, and the median income for a family was $ 58,335. Males had a median income of $ 41,537 versus $ 35,003 for females. The per capita income for
2160-600: Is a list of all cities, towns, and census-designated places in Pinellas County, Florida. Source: 2010 Florida Census of Population and Housing As of the 2020 United States census , there were 959,107 people, 413,239 households, and 232,884 families residing in the county. U.S. Census Bureau 2010 Ethnic/Race Demographics: In 2010, 6.5% of the population considered themselves to be of only American ancestry (regardless of race or ethnicity.) There were 415,876 households, out of which 19.89% had children under
2268-499: Is accepting the storm as an incident and all are going to work to rebuild the devastated areas, with the firm conviction that there will not be another storm of such severity during the life of anyone now living." One of the destroyed buildings at the Ballist Point Pavilion was soon rebuilt after the storm. However, the building was destroyed again by fire in 1922. In 1925, a new pavilion was built. On Captiva Island,
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#17327759458492376-538: Is possible that a tornado touched down, based on some pine trees being "splintered from top to bottom and curled up like molasses candy." Damage to citrus crops was light, with losses conservatively estimated at less than 5%. Strong winds in Orange County left the entire city of Orlando without electricity, disrupting commerce. Citrus crops suffered no more than 5% in losses in the county. In St. Augustine , wind downed wires, some of which caused small fires in
2484-399: Is served by East Lake High School , Carwise Middle School, Forest Lakes Elementary School, Oldsmar Elementary School, and Oldsmar Christian School. Pinellas County, Florida Pinellas County ( US : / p ɪ ˈ n ɛ l ə s / , pih-NEL-əss ) is located on the west central coast of the U.S. state of Florida . As of the 2020 census , the population was 959,107, making it
2592-642: The Atlantic hurricane database listing a tropical storm beginning at 00:00 UTC, with the system was situated about 95 mi (153 km) southeast of the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina . The cyclone initially moved slowly northwestward due to a high pressure system over Bermuda . Early on October 22, the storm intensified into a Category 1 hurricane, based on sustained winds of 81 mph (130 km/h) on Great Swan Island . The hurricane strengthened significantly over
2700-542: The Florida land boom of the 1920s , rebuilding and cleanup of the area commenced quickly and the land boom in the Tampa Bay region and in southern Florida continued. Local officials, businessmen, realtors, and later the press soon attempted to cover up or downplay the damage, which threatened to distort Tampa's advertised image as the "Year Round City". On October 28, a writer for The Tampa Tribune stated, "Everyone
2808-726: The Fort Harrison Hotel in Clearwater. The rest of the land was traded for the Belerive Hotel in Kansas . By the time Olds left town, he had suffered a loss of nearly $ 3 million. While Olds envisioned a city of 100,000, the population was around 200 when he left. Harry A. Prettyman, a St. Louis promoter, and his associates continued to sell lots in town following Olds's departure. Prettyman staged promotional gimmicks like Gold Rushes where pieces of gold were buried on
2916-578: The Gulf of Mexico , such as Cortez and Sarasota , suffered heavy structural losses. Strong winds occurred as far east as the Atlantic coast of the state, though wind damage east of the Tampa Bay area was generally limited to downed trees and power lines, resulting in power outages, particularly in Orlando . Agriculture throughout the state experienced significant impact as well, including over $ 2 million (equivalent to $ 30 million in 2023 ) in damage and
3024-466: The Gulf of Mexico , the hurricane gradually curved northeastward and weakened to a Category 3 before making landfall near Tarpon Springs, Florida , late on October 25. It was the first major hurricane to make landfall in the Tampa Bay area since the hurricane of 1848 and is the last to date. The storm weakened to a Category 1 hurricane while crossing the Florida peninsula, and it reached
3132-679: The Mississippi River and along the east coast of Florida. In Cuba , heavy rainfall in Pinar del Río Province caused rivers and creeks to rise. However, only minimal damage was reported. The hurricane passed to the west of the Florida Keys as a Category 4 hurricane. Its large wind field caused tropical storm force winds to the islands, with the highest wind report being 48 mph (77 km/h) in Key West . Rainfall from
3240-544: The Panhandle and one in Sarasota , but none of them possessed the technology to drill through the Florida aquifer . By 1923, Olds had over $ 4.5 million invested in the community and there was only a population of around 200 inhabitants. When he realized Oldsmar was not growing as anticipated, he began liquidating his assets by first selling unplatted parcels of land. The racetrack was nearly completed when he traded it for
3348-620: The United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 9.7 square miles (25.0 km), of which 8.7 square miles (22.5 km) is land and 0.97 square miles (2.5 km) (9.83%) is water. A number of archeological digs in the Oldsmar area revealed small campsites as well as permanent villages that date from the Archaic period (c. 8000 to 1000 BC). In 1916, Ransom E. Olds purchased 37,541 acres (151.92 km2) on
Oldsmar, Florida - Misplaced Pages Continue
3456-668: The blue jay , mockingbird , and crow . Ospreys are a commonly seen bird-of-prey , with other birds of prey like turkey vultures , red tailed hawks , great horned owls , screech owls , barn owls , and bald eagles , among others, seen as well. Gopher tortoises are found in many areas, the burrows they dig making them a keystone species . Coyotes , though often associated with the American West, are native-to and can be found in Pinellas. White-tailed deer , wild turkeys , bobcats , otters , and alligators can be found in
3564-459: The wild boar , which poses significant health and agricultural problems in Florida and can sometimes be found in Pinellas, and the monk parakeet , small flocks of which can sometimes be seen in flight or building nests on electrical poles or telecommunications towers. There is also a large flock of feral peacocks residing in St. Petersburg's Jungle Terrace, Jungle Prada and Disston Heights neighborhoods. Pinellas gained some national attention as
3672-531: The "Top 10 Bridges" in the World by the Travel Channel . The county operates a 21-acre (8.5 ha) living history museum called Heritage Village containing more than 28 historic structures, some dating back to the 19th century, where visitors can experience what life was once like in Pinellas. Pinellas County celebrated 100 years of existence on January 1, 2012. According to the U.S. Census Bureau ,
3780-565: The 9th Florida Regiment as a part of the Appomattox Campaign. Many other residents served in other capacities. Otherwise the peninsula had virtually no significance during the war, and the war largely passed the area by. On September 27, 1848, a strong hurricane struck the West Coast of Florida. It separated the barrier island on the coast and created a waterway known today as John's Pass. John Levique, along with Joseph Silva,
3888-496: The Atlantic Ocean early the following day. Thereafter, the system moved east-southeastward and remained fairly steady in intensity before weakening to a tropical storm late on October 29. The storm was then absorbed by a larger extratropical cyclone early the next day, with the remnants of the hurricane soon becoming indistinguishable. The storm brought strong winds to the Swan Islands , including hurricane-force winds on
3996-652: The Bomb-a-Dears, holding dances, socializing with recruits, and selling war bonds. After the war many of these same soldiers remembered their wartime experience in Pinellas well, and returned as tourists or residents. With the end of the Second World War, Pinellas would enter another period of rapid growth and development. In 1954 the original span of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge was opened, replacing earlier ferry service. By 1957 Clearwater
4104-554: The County's Philippe Park . During the early 16th century Spanish explorers discovered and slowly began exploring Florida, including Tampa Bay. In 1528 Pánfilo de Narváez landed in Pinellas , and 10 years later Hernando de Soto is thought to have explored the Tampa Bay area . By the early 18th century the Tocobaga had been virtually annihilated, having fallen victim to European diseases from which they had no immunity, as well as European conflicts . Later Spanish explorers named
4212-676: The Dade City Packing Company and the Dade City Ice, Light and Power Company. Damage to the business reached $ 100,000. Several homes were damaged. Electrical, telegraph, and telephone wires were downed throughout the city. During the storm, electricity was maintained in the downtown section, while residential areas were left without power for two days. In San Antonio and Trilby , a number of buildings were moved off their foundations. The old city hall in Zephyrhills
4320-810: The Marstons, and the McMullens established homesteads in the area in the years following, planting more citrus groves and raising cattle. During the American Civil War , many residents fought for the Confederate States of America . Brothers James and Daniel McMullen were members of the Confederate Cow Cavalry , driving Florida cattle to Georgia and the Carolinas to help sustain the war effort. John W. Marston served in
4428-677: The Olds Chair (also called the Oldsmar Chair). The chair was similar to the popular Adirondack chair and was made out of either yellow pine or cypress. Olds provided financial backing for the Kardell Tractor and Truck Company to move into town. Renamed Oldsmar Tractor Company, Olds had hoped it would devise a machine to clear out palmetto roots, pine stumps, and other scrub, which all had to be removed by hand otherwise. Eventually, Oldsmar had dairy and agricultural farms and, in
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4536-793: The Oldsmar State Bank, the bank was originally home to the Reolds Farm Co, and the Real Estate Sale Department. By 1920, it was reported to be handling more than $ 1million worth of deposits. In 1919, the city's first library was started by the Woman's Club. It was donated to the city in 1977. Original city plans included a golf course and a luxury hotel on the bay, but neither were ever built. A sawmill and foundry were established that made cast-iron engines for tractors and grove heaters. The mill also produced
4644-592: The Oldsmar building. Major defense contractor and aerospace company Lockheed Martin has a facility in Oldsmar that employed over 600 people as of 2015. Oldsmar celebrates its history every year with Oldsmar Days and Nights, including parades, car shows (featuring the Oldsmobile ), and carnival rides. The celebration is held in Spring. Oldsmar is part of the Pinellas County Schools district and
4752-541: The Pinellas peninsula, the Tampa Bay area was inhabited by people of the Safety Harbor culture . The Safety Harbor culture area was divided into chiefdoms . One documented chiefdom in what is now Pinellas County was that of the Tocobaga , who occupied a town and large temple mound, the Safety Harbor site , overlooking the bay in what is now Safety Harbor . The modern site is protected and can be visited as part of
4860-493: The Tampa Bay estuary and numerous gulf seagrass beds. The county also maintains several artificial reefs . Numerous bird species can be sighted in Pinellas, either as permanent residents or during the winter migration, including wading birds like great blue herons , egrets , white ibises and roseate spoonbills , aquatic birds like brown pelicans , white pelicans , and cormorants , numerous species of shorebirds , and very-common birds like seagulls and passerines like
4968-545: The Wayside Chapel suffered extensive damage, but was repaired and reopened as Captiva School and Chapel-by-the-Sea , which has been listed as a National Historic Place since 2013. Many farmers on the island sold their land for a significantly reduced price to Clarence B. Chadwick, who would transform more than 330 acres (130 ha) of property into the South Seas Island Resort . The hurricane
5076-419: The age of 18 living with them, 40.33% were married couples living together, 11.86% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.67% were non-families. 35.42% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.14% (4.53% male and 10.61% female) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.79. The age distribution
5184-643: The area Punta Piñal (Spanish for "Point of Pines" or "Piney Point"). After trading hands multiple times between the British and the Spanish , Spain finally ceded Florida to the United States in 1821, and in 1823 the U.S. Army established Fort Brooke (later Tampa ). In 1834 much of west central Florida, including the Pinellas peninsula (then known simply as West Hillsborough ), was organized as Hillsborough County . The very next year Odet Philippe ,
5292-627: The area up to 67th Street in Bradenton . Cortez's residents, with little forewarning of the storm, sought refuge in their rural graded schoolhouse, which withstood the storm while many houses floated away. Inland, the storm caused flooding along the Myakka River and the destruction of many wharfs along the Manatee River . The hurricane brought a storm surge of 10–12 ft (3.0–3.7 m) to Tampa Bay . The highest rainfall total in Tampa
5400-404: The area. During the war, the area's tourist industry collapsed, but thousands of recruits came to the area when the U.S. military decided to use the area for training. Area hotels became barracks. The Vinoy Park Hotel was used as an Army training school. The area's women and girls participated in the war effort as well. Hundreds of girls from the area's most prominent families formed a group called
5508-583: The business district. A steamship capsized sailing from Jacksonville to Miami capsized offshore Jupiter and there were reports of damage to several other small boats offshore. Agricultural damage from the hurricane was high, reaching over $ 2 million, with more than $ 1 million incurred to crops and the remainder to fertilizer and other materials. Citrus crops were especially hard hit, with 800,000 to 1,000,000 boxes of fruit lost. Salt water, caused by coastal flooding , prevented cultivation of soil in some areas, though rainfall eventually washed away
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#17327759458495616-502: The city along the Anclote River were flooded. Primarily, impact consisted of structures being unroofed, windows shattering, and tree being uprooted. Throughout the city, electrical and telephone lines were downed, but telephone was partially maintained and electricity was restored quickly. Two hotels suffered extensive damage due to flooding. Although the high school was also severely damaged, classrooms remained usable. The cupola
5724-577: The city and a glimpse of the peninsula's original state. Geologically, Pinellas is underlain by a series of limestone formations, the Hawthorne limestone and the Tampa limestone . The limestone is porous and stores a large quantity of water. The Hawthorne formation forms a prominent ridge down the spine of the county, from east of Dunedin, south to the Walsingham area and east towards St. Petersburg. The 35 miles of beaches and dunes which make up
5832-477: The city. Oldsmar hosts an office of Nielsen Media Research . Most of the employees of Nielsen Media Research work in Oldsmar and the company's media measurement work originates from the office. The Associated Press said that the Oldsmar building, with a cost figure of $ 80 million, was its "nerve center." In 2003 the company moved into its Oldsmar complex and consolidated its employees there, with workers from Dunedin and other areas in Pinellas County moving into
5940-417: The county as well. Sea turtles nest on the shores or Pinellas' barrier islands and have been threatened by development. Offshore, dolphins , sharks , and manatees are numerous as well, while closer inshore stingrays are a common sight, leading those in-the-know to do the "stingray shuffle" (shuffling up the sand to scare nearby stingrays off) when entering gulf waters. Species of fish commonly caught in
6048-522: The county has a total area of 608 square miles (1,570 km ), of which 274 square miles (710 km ) is land and 334 square miles (870 km ) (55.0%) is water. It is the second-smallest county in Florida by land area, larger than only Union County . Pinellas forms a peninsula bounded on the west by the Gulf of Mexico and on the south and east by Tampa Bay . It is 38 miles (61 km) long and 15 miles (24 km) wide at its broadest point, with 587 miles (945 km) of coastline. Elevation in
6156-511: The county incorporated during this time were Clearwater (1891), Dunedin (1899), and Largo (1905). Construction of Fort De Soto , on Mullet Key facing the mouth of Tampa Bay, was begun in 1898 during the Spanish–American War to protect Tampa Bay from potential invading forces. The fort, a subpost of Fort Dade on adjacent Egmont Key (which lies in the mouth of Tampa Bay), was equipped with artillery and mortar batteries. Even into
6264-446: The county ranges from mean sea level to its highest natural point of 110 feet (34 m) near the intersection of SR 580 and Countryside Blvd. in Clearwater. Due to its small size and high population, by the early 21st century Pinellas County has been mostly built out , with very little developable land left available. The county has maintained a fairly large system of parks and preserves that provide residents and visitors retreat from
6372-915: The county was $ 28,742. About 8.1% of families and 12.1% of the population were below the poverty line , including 17.7% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those aged 65 or over. In 2010, 11.2% of the county's population was foreign born , with 50.3% being naturalized American citizens . Of foreign-born residents, 33.6% were born in Europe , 32.1% were born in Latin America , 20.9% born in Asia , 9.8% in North America , 3.0% born in Africa , and 0.6% were born in Oceania . As of 2000, there were 921,482 people, 414,968 households, and 243,171 families residing in
6480-409: The county's 11 barrier islands provide habitat for coastal species, serve as critical storm protection for the inland communities, and form the basis of the area's thriving tourism industry. The islands are dynamic, with wave action building some islands further up, eroding others, and forming entirely new islands over time. Though hurricanes are infrequent on this part of Florida's coast, they have had
6588-445: The county's average temperatures. St. Petersburg, further south on the peninsula, tends to have warmer daily average lows (by about 3 degrees) than areas such as Dunedin and Palm Harbor further north, though daily highs are very close. The north of the county also has fewer overall days of rain, but higher total annual precipitation when measured in inches, the county's south being prone to shorter, more frequent thunderstorms especially in
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#17327759458496696-476: The county. The population density was 1,271/km (3,292/sq mi), making it the most densely populated county in Florida. There were 481,573 housing units at an average density of 1,720 per square mile (660/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 85.85% White (82.8% were Non-Hispanic White ,) 8.96% Black or African American , 0.30% Native American , 2.06% Asian , 0.05% Pacific Islander , 1.14% from other races , and 1.64% from two or more races. 4.64% of
6804-411: The early days, it was a common sight to see cattle and hogs running loose through the town. Aside from peppers, tomatoes, corn, gladiolus, and grapes, a banana plantation was established but the winters proved too harsh and the crops failed. In 1921, a hurricane hit Tampa Bay. Because Oldsmar sits on a plateau with an elevation never rising over 20 feet (6.1 m) above sea level, it was devastated by
6912-478: The early years of the 20th century, West Hillsborough had no paved roads, and transportation posed a major challenge. A trip to the county seat, across the bay in Tampa, was generally an overnight affair and the automobiles that existed on the peninsula at that time would frequently become bogged down in the muck after rainstorms. Angry at what was perceived as neglect by the county government, residents of Pinellas began
7020-450: The employees connected their linotype machine to a two-cylinder motorcycle to publish the "Motorcycle Extra". Two deaths occurred in St. Petersburg, one from a heart attack during preparations for the storm and the other from a man being crushed by a falling roof. Initially, there were rumors and unconfirmed reports that Pass-a-Grille (today a neighborhood of St. Pete Beach ) was wiped out and that up to 150 deaths occurred. Though
7128-893: The enactment of stronger building codes in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew . A Sea, Lake, and Overland Surge from Hurricanes (SLOSH) computer model from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicates that portions of Downtown Tampa would be flooded with over 20 ft (6.1 m) of water in the event of a Category 4 hurricane, while St. Petersburg would be surrounded by water. CoreLogic , an international property information firm, estimated in 2016 that nearly 455,000 homes were at risk of being damaged by storm surge, with costs of property damage and repairs reaching approximately $ 80.6 billion (2016 USD). Another property firm, Karen Clark & Co., estimated in 2015 that storm surge could inflict as much as $ 175 billion (2015 USD) in damage in
7236-411: The flight. The early 1920s saw the beginning of a land boom in much of Florida, including Pinellas. During this period municipalities issued a large number of bonds to keep pace with the needed infrastructure, such as roads and bridges. The travel time to Tampa was cut in half—from 43 to 19 miles (69 to 31 km)—by the opening of the Gandy Bridge in 1924, along the same route Jannus' airline used. It
7344-419: The former was estimated using the southern wind-pressure relationship. Early on October 24, the hurricane moved northward across the Yucatán Channel and entered the Gulf of Mexico . Thereafter, the system gradually curved to the northeast as the high pressure weakened and the storm became under the influence of a southwesterly air current . At 12:00 UTC on October 25, the cyclone weakened to
7452-422: The home of the Mystery Monkey of Tampa Bay , a non-native, feral rhesus macaque that had been on the loose for approximately three years in the south of the county. No one was sure where the monkey came from, and a Facebook page set up for the monkey had over 84,000 likes (as of October 2012). The monkey was the subject of a sketch on the March 11, 2010, episode of the Colbert Report . As of February 2012,
7560-457: The hurricane briefly re-strengthened to reach winds of 90 mph (140 km/h) early on October 27. It then moved east-southeastward after the high pressure weakened further. Late on October 29, the system accelerated northeastward and weakened to a tropical storm, before being absorbed by a large extratropical cyclone about 430 mi (690 km) southeast of Bermuda at 00:00 UTC on October 30. About six hours later,
7668-451: The hurricane's outer bands was intermittent, and storm tides of 5 ft (1.5 m) were reported. Further north, Captiva and Sanibel islands were completely inundated with water. In Punta Rassa , the majority of homes were either extensively damaged or washed away. Most highways leading out of Fort Myers were impassible due to high water. Damage to railroad tracks resulted in a suspension of service for three days. On Estero Island ,
7776-594: The late summer. Freezing temperatures occur only every 2–3 years, with freezing precipitation occurring extremely rarely . Springs are usually short, mild, and dry, with occasional late-season cold fronts. Summertime weather is very consistent, with highs in the low 90s °F (around 32 °C), lows in the mid-70s °F (around 24 °C), accompanied by high humidity and an almost daily chance of afternoon thundershowers. The area experiences significant rainfall during its summer months (approximately May through October), with nearly two-thirds of annual precipitation falling between
7884-433: The loss of at least 800,000 boxes of citrus crops alone. Overall, the hurricane left at least eight deaths and about $ 10 million (equivalent to $ 140 million in 2023 ) in damage. In mid-October, a significant drop in atmospheric pressures over the western Caribbean Sea coincided with the development of a trough on October 17. Observations suggested that a circulation formed on October 20, with
7992-490: The main island. Heavy rains fell in Cuba , particularly in Pinar del Río Province , but only minor damage occurred. In Florida , storm surge and abnormally high tides caused damage along much of the state's west coast from Pasco County southward. Several neighborhoods in Tampa were inundated, especially the interbay neighborhoods of Ballast Point , DeSoto Park, Edgewater Park, Hyde Park , Palmetto Beach , and other areas in
8100-521: The monkey had apparently taken up semi-permanent residence behind a family's home at an undisclosed location in St. Petersburg, according to the Tampa Bay Times . Efforts to capture the monkey were reignited after it reportedly bit a woman living near where it had taken up residence, and the monkey was captured in late October 2012 and eventually was sent to live at Dade City's Wild Things, a 22-acre (8.9 ha) zoo north of Tampa. Pinellas, like
8208-516: The months of June and September. The area is occasionally affected by tropical storms and hurricanes, but has not suffered a direct hit since 1921 . Fall, like spring, is usually mild and dry, with the hurricane season extending through November and sometimes affecting the area. Many portions of south Pinellas, especially near the bay and gulf, have tropical microclimates. Tropical trees such as coconut palms and royal palms and fruit trees like mangoes grow very well in these microclimates. The following
8316-528: The name was again changed, this time to Tampa Shores. And finally, in 1937, it went back to its old name of Oldsmar. Shortly after purchasing the property, Olds formed the Reo Farms Company (renamed Reolds Farms Company) in order to administer to the creation of his new town. Architects and city planners were hired to create drafts and laborers were hired for construction. The town possessed the staples of any small town, such as churches, schools, and
8424-494: The northern tip of Tampa Bay in order to design a planned community. The property appealed to Olds because of its proximity to several other towns (including Tampa and Tarpon Springs) as well as being located on the Tampa and Gulf Coast division of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad . The town went through a number of name changes. Initially, it was called R. E. Olds-on-the-Bay and then changed to Oldsmar. In 1927
8532-418: The northwestern Caribbean, becoming a Category 2 hurricane at 00:00 UTC on October 23 and a Category 3 hurricane six hours later. Around 18:00 UTC, the cyclone reached Category 4 intensity and peaked with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 941 mbar (27.8 inHg ). The latter was observed by the schooner Virginia , while
8640-467: The peninsula until the northern portion was sealed off to create Lake Seminole . Extending further still from Long Bayou, the Cross Bayou Canal traverses the peninsula, crossing Pinellas Park in a northeasterly direction before emptying into Tampa Bay on the northwest side of St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport . Source: Boyd Hill Nature Preserve : A 245-acre (99 ha) park on
8748-444: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 414,968 households, out of which 22.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.80% were married couples living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.40% were non-families. 34.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
8856-659: The remnants of the hurricane became indistinguishable. These remnants were the second storm encountered by USS Olympia in its Atlantic crossing with the American unknown soldier from World War I. Forecasters at the United States Weather Bureau issued advisories for ships and oceangoing vessels, while posting hurricane warnings for areas in western Florida stretching from Key West to Apalachicola on October 24 and October 25. Additionally, storm warnings were issued eastward from mouth of
8964-406: The rest of the Tampa Bay area, has a humid subtropical climate , resulting in warm, humid summers with frequent thunderstorms, and drier winters. Pinellas County's geographic position- lying on a peninsula between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico introduces large amounts of humidity into the atmosphere and serves to moderate temperatures. The geography of the peninsula also causes some variance in
9072-511: The rural communities outside Lakeland, several small building suffered damage. This was considered the worst tropical cyclone in the area since 1897. Lake County experienced sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and 12 to 15 in (300 to 380 mm) of rain in some areas. Much of the impact was confined to large trees being uprooted and ornamental vines suffering damage. A number of trees fell on electrical wires, causing power outages and disruptions to telephone service. Additionally, it
9180-472: The salt. In all, the hurricane left at least eight people dead and about $ 10 million in damage. After receiving reports of mass casualties and destruction at Pass-a-Grille, the American Red Cross stocked a United States Navy subchaser with pine caskets and relief supplies, but found no bodies and only a fraction of the reported damage. Because of fears that the hurricane might hinder
9288-435: The season , the storm developed from a trough in the southwestern Caribbean Sea on October 20. Initially a tropical storm, the system moved northwestward and intensified into a hurricane on October 22 and a major hurricane by October 23. Later that day, the hurricane peaked as a Category 4 on the modern day Saffir–Simpson scale with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (230 km/h). After entering
9396-470: The seventh-most populous county in the state. It is also the most densely populated county in Florida, with 3,491 residents per square mile. The county is part of the Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater Metropolitan Statistical Area . Clearwater is the county seat . St. Petersburg is the largest city in the county, as well as the largest city in Florida that is not a county seat. When Europeans first reached
9504-916: The shores of Lake Maggiore in south St. Petersburg, operated by the city and featuring a nature center, bird-of-prey aviary, and over three miles of trails through a variety of ecosystems. Hillsborough County extends along the shipping channel towards Egmont Key and into the Gulf of Mexico, separating Pinellas County from Manatee County. Several natural communities exist within the county, including areas of freshwater wetlands (dominated by bald cypresses and ferns), coastal mangrove swamps, sporadic hardwood hammocks (dominated by laurel oaks and live oaks , cabbage palms , and southern magnolias ), low-lying, poorly drained pine flatwoods (dominated by longleaf pines and saw palmettos ), and well-drained, upland sandhills (dominated by longleaf pines and turkey oaks ) and sand pine scrub (dominated by sand pines , saw palmettos, and various oaks). Offshore ecosystems include
9612-453: The storm was due to abnormally high tides in Tampa and elsewhere in the area. Much of the city was flooded, with the worst along Bayshore Boulevard , where some of the most expensive properties were located. At Hyde Park , dwellings were inundated about halfway up the first story, prompting several people to be rescued by boat. Electrical poles and wires were washed away near the intersection of Bayshore Boulevard and Howard Avenue. The latter
9720-493: The storm. Large trees were uprooted and floodwater reached levels 14 feet (4.3 m) above normal. Some of the homes that survived the storm were moved, by barge, to St. Petersburg in the following two decades. Olds spent a reported $ 100,000 drilling an oil well that never yielded. The well is now capped and sits on the grounds of the Tampa Bay Downs Racetrack. Other such wells were dug in Florida; two in
9828-429: The town was hit particularly hard, there were no fatalities and damage was less severe than indicated, reaching about $ 50,000. Storm surge was partially diverted to Boca Ciega Bay , but Pass-a-Grille generally suffered severe impact due to 5 to 7 ft (1.5 to 2.1 m) of water covering some areas. The island's luxury resort hotel was extensively damaged, and its dancing pavilion was destroyed. It never reopened and
9936-469: The trawler Hypnotist , which ejected the crew of seven into the water, all of whom were rescued. The St. Petersburg Beach Hotel was destroyed, after employees swam through the lobby for safety. At the office of the St. Petersburg Times , then located at Fifth Street and First Avenue South, the loss of electricity resulted in staff working overnight with lanterns. With no power to operate the typesetting machine,
10044-637: The vicinity of Bayshore Boulevard . Strong winds also damaged hundreds of trees, signs, buildings, and homes. Four deaths occurred in Tampa, three from drownings and another after a man touched a live wire. The storm left two additional fatalities in St. Petersburg . A number of streets in Tarpon Springs were littered with masses of debris, with many structures and trees suffering extensive damage. Southward in Manatee County and Sarasota County , many waterfront communities along Sarasota Bay and
10152-600: The waterfront were severely damaged and nearly all flat railroad cars were submerged. The Malloy Line dock was also left under several feet of water. A number of waterfront warehouses were also damaged by floodwaters. After the Tampa Electrical Company power house experienced water damage, the electricity was shut off. Additionally, the company's cable station was flooded under several feet of water. Winds downed hundreds of trees and sign across roadways and tore-up awnings. At least 50 awnings were ripped from
10260-621: The waters surrounding the county include spotted seatrout , red drum or redfish, snook , pompano , sheepshead , Spanish mackerel , grouper , mullet , flounder , kingfish , and tarpon . Like much of Florida, Pinellas County is home to several invasive species that propagate easily outside their (and their natural predators') native range. Examples of commonly seen invasives include Brazilian pepper , water hyacinth , Australian pine , melaleuca and air potato . These species are considered serious pests, and varying methods have been tried to eradicate them. Examples of invasive animals include
10368-541: Was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.77. In the county, the population was spread out, with 19.30% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 22.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 91.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.80 males. In 2000, 87.8% of persons age 25 or above were high school graduates, slightly above Florida's average of 84.9% for Florida. 26.7% of persons age 25 or above held
10476-474: Was America's fastest growing city. Tragedy struck on May 9, 1980, when the southbound span of the original Sunshine Skyway Bridge was struck by the freighter MV Summit Venture during a storm, sending over 1,200 feet (370 m) of the bridge plummeting into Tampa Bay. The collision caused seven personal vehicles and a Greyhound bus to fall 150 feet (46 m) into the water, killing 35 people. The new bridge opened in 1987 and has since been listed as #3 of
10584-661: Was also left impassible by car. In the Palmetto Beach neighborhood, much of the section was inundated. A group of about 40 volunteers rescued a number of women and children. A total of 50 homes were destroyed by cedar logs used to construct cigar boxes at the Tampa Box Company on 22nd Street. At Ballast Point , the pavilion and bathhouse were destroyed by the storm. Nearby, the Tampa Yacht and Country Club suffered severe damage. Many cars along
10692-417: Was at 8.53 in (217 mm). However, the observer noted that winds probably blew water out of the gauge. The barometric pressure fell to 968 mbar (28.6 inHg), breaking a previous record set in 1910. The hurricane also brought sustained winds of 75 mph (121 km/h) and a storm tide of 10.5 ft (3.2 m). Damage from the wind was generally minor, while most of the impact wrought by
10800-530: Was built. Olds named some of the roads himself including Gim Gong Road, named after the horticulturalist Lue Gim Gong . Olds had hired Gim Gong to help set up the agricultural community. Built in 1918 under the supervision of R.E. Olds, the Bank Building has been an important part of Oldsmar's history. Located in the heart of downtown Oldsmar, the building was built in the style of Mediterranean Revival using rare white Italian glazed bricks. In addition to
10908-472: Was demolished, which was never rebuilt. Only the church cemetery remains. Another church, which opened early in the year, was nearly demolished by falling trees. A turpentine plant was damaged, including the loss of about one-third of the lumber stored in the building. The Sunnybrook Tobacco Company suffered significant impact, with nine large barns destroyed and about 110 acres (45 ha) of trees toppled. A number of other companies sustained damage, including
11016-669: Was destroyed by fire the following year. A number of cottages were badly damaged. The storm destroyed a casino in Gulfport . The casino in Indian Rocks Beach collapsed after the sand foundation was washed away. In Largo , nearly all of the buildings at the Pinellas County Fairgrounds were rendered unusable. Buildings were severely damaged in Clearwater , including the ice and power plants,
11124-460: Was drilled but was never productive. The company also initiated a large publicity campaign to attract Northerners into becoming residents. One of the more popular slogans used was "Oldsmar for Health, Wealth and Happiness." Tours were also planned with Pullmans chartered between Detroit and Oldsmar. To accommodate prospective residents and other tourists a 60-room hotel called the Wayside Inn
11232-545: Was moved about 4 ft (1.2 m). At a hotel, the building lost a portion of its roof and several windows were broken. In addition, the hurricane virtually destroyed much of Passage Key, part of which was later rebuilt. In Polk County , the storm left light property damage in Lakeland , reaching under $ 5,000, which included the school building being deroofed. Damage to crops was mostly limited to grapefruit and oranges, with losses estimated to have been less than 10%. In
11340-509: Was the first major hurricane to strike the Tampa Bay region since a hurricane in 1848 and remains the most recent, although Hurricane Milton 103 years later in 2024 came close, striking south of Tampa Bay in Siesta Key . The 1946 Florida hurricane , which struck 25 years after the 1921 hurricane, remains to be the most recent hurricane to directly cross Tampa. In the past few decades especially, local officials have been concerned about
11448-630: Was the longest automobile toll bridge in the world at the time. Prohibition was unpopular in the area and the peninsula's inlets and islands were used by rum-runners bringing in liquor from Cuba. Others distilled moonshine in the County's still plentiful woods. As was the case in much of Florida, the Great Depression came early to Pinellas with the collapse of the real estate boom in 1926. Local economies came into severe difficulties, and by 1930, St. Petersburg defaulted on its bonds. Only after World War II would significant growth return to
11556-523: Was the one who discovered it and named it after himself and is now a federally owned canal. Tarpon Springs became West Hillsborough's first incorporated city in 1887, and in 1888 the Orange Belt Railway was extended into the southern portion of the peninsula. Railroad owner Peter Demens named the town that grew near the railroad's terminus St. Petersburg in honor of his hometown . The town would incorporate in 1892. Other major towns in
11664-518: Was torn away and the roof was partially damaged, including over the auditorium. The Odd Fellows Hall was thrown off its foundation and virtually destroyed. In the business district, most of the buildings leaked, resulting in damage to merchandise. Crop damage in Pinellas County was extensive, totaling about $ 1 million, which included a loss of 50%–70% of fruit lost and considerable damage to citrus trees. The hurricane also brought extensive impact to portions of Pasco County . In New Port Richey ,
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