78-580: Tarpon Springs is a city in Pinellas County, Florida , United States. Downtown Tarpon Springs has long been a focal point and underwent beautification in 2010. It is part of the Tampa Bay area . The population was 25,117 at the 2020 census. As of 2000, Tarpon Springs had the highest percentage of Greek Americans of any city in the US, with 10.4% of residents who had Greek ancestry. The region, with
156-546: A first language , while the second most spoken language was Greek , at 8.87% of residents. 3.46% spoke Spanish , 1.09% at French , German 0.56%, and Italian was spoken by 0.55% of people living in Tarpon Springs. In total, 15% of the population spoke a language other than English as a mother tongue . Tarpon Springs is known for elaborate religious ceremonies hosted by the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral , part of
234-547: A Bachelor's degree or higher, also slightly higher than Florida's rate of 25.6%. Snow in Florida It is very rare for snow to fall in the U.S. state of Florida , especially in the central and southern portions of the state. With the exception of the far northern areas of the state, most of the major cities in Florida have never recorded measurable snowfall, though trace amounts have been recorded, or flurries in
312-405: 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 a swimming pool on his estate. Clearwater would later become the first organized community on
390-579: A changing roster of exhibits about local and regional traditional culture. The Safford House Museum on Parkin Court is a historical house museum that tells the fascinating story of one of the city's early families. The Depot Museum on Tarpon Avenue provides an overview of Tarpon Springs history. The Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center is a 300-seat theater located inside of historic City hall, 324 Pine Street, and operates year-round bringing an array of nationally touring artists, musicians, dancers, etc. as well as
468-407: A household in the city was $ 38,251, and the median income for a family was $ 46,316. Males had a median income of $ 36,356 versus $ 25,252 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 21,504. About 7.7% of families and 9.8% of the population were below the poverty line , including 16.1% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over. In 2000, 84.99% of the population spoke English as
546-586: 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
624-657: 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 a rest post for soldiers from nearby Fort Brooke during the Second Seminole War . The new fort was located on
702-667: 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
780-528: A series of bayous feeding into the Gulf of Mexico , was settled by farmers and fishermen around 1876. Some of the newly arrived visitors spotted tarpon jumping out of the waters and so named the location Tarpon Springs. The name is said to have originated with a remark of Mrs. Ormond Boyer, an early settler from South Carolina, and who, while standing on the shore of the Bayou and seeing fish leaping, exclaimed, "See
858-448: 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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#1732780572459936-908: A snow event that occurred on December 23, 1989. The vast majority of snow events in Florida occurred in north Florida and the Jacksonville area. According to the National Weather Service , the record snowfall for the city of Jacksonville is 1.9 inches (4.83 cm), which fell on February 12, 1899. Tampa has a record snowfall of 0.2 inches (5.08 mm) which occurred on January 18, 1977. Due to larger populations and more advanced communication networks, snow events are witnessed and reported much more frequently in recent years than in historical eras. Interpretations of this timeline must therefore be made with caution, as observed patterns may not reflect actual climate-related trends in annual snowfall but rather improved reporting. Additionally,
1014-575: A variety of community theatre plays featuring local actors and directors. There are several districts or properties in Tarpon Springs that have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places : Many sites related to the sponge industry within the Greektown Historic District also have been recognized. They include but are not limited to two sponge packing houses: And boats: The Tarpon Springs Public Library
1092-439: A year. The 1953 film Beneath the 12-Mile Reef , depicting the sponge industry, takes place and was filmed in Tarpon Springs. In 1947, a red tide algae bloom wiped out the sponge fields in the Gulf of Mexico , causing many of the sponge boats and divers to switch to shrimping for their livelihood, while others left the business. Eventually, the sponges recovered, allowing for a smaller but consistent sponge industry today. In
1170-479: 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
1248-600: 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
1326-498: Is around 50 inches (1,300 mm). Winters are warm, with daytime highs of 69 to 72 °F (21 to 22 °C), and nightly lows of 50 to 54 °F (10 to 12 °C). Freezing temperatures (32 °F (0 °C) or lower) occur infrequently, while snowfall is extremely rare ; there was accumulation in 1977 and 1989, while the years 1899 , 1954, 1958, 1973, 2001, 2006, 2010, and 2014 either saw light snow mixed with rain, or flurries. The record low temperature of 19 °F (−7 °C)
1404-399: Is fleeting. In general, frost is more common than snow, requiring temperatures of 32 °F (0 °C ) or less at 2 m (7 ft) above sea level, a cloudless sky, and a relative humidity of 65% or more. Generally, for snow to occur, the polar jet stream must move southward through Texas and into the Gulf of Mexico , with a stalled cold front across the southern portion of
1482-469: 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 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
1560-556: Is now Pinellas County, arrived in the city. During this time the area was developed as a wintering spot for wealthy northerners. The city's Rose Cemetery, where Black residents are interred , is believed to contain burials which began in the late 1800s; the earliest legible marked burial is from 1904. The cemetery contains the grave of Richard Quarls, a Confederate veteran of the American Civil War who fought alongside his enslaver before moving to Tarpon Springs and choosing
1638-649: 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 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,
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#17327805724591716-662: Is the public library that services Tarpon Springs, Pinellas, and the greater Tampa Bay area. The library was founded in 1916 Julia Roswell Smith Inness who was the daughter of the owner of the Century Publishing Company. Over the course of its history, the Tarpon Springs Public Library has called many places home. Originally taking residence in City Hall, the library then moved into a small house on Orange Street in 1921. From there,
1794-676: 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 the 9th Florida Regiment as a part of the Appomattox Campaign. Many other residents served in other capacities. Otherwise
1872-580: The Greek Orthodox Church , including the January 6 Epiphany , celebration that includes youths diving for a cross and the blessing of the waters and the boats. Since the first Greek immigrants depended on the sea and their boats for their livelihood, their attachment to a religious service centered on requesting divine protection for what used to be a highly risky job can be easily explained. The celebration attracts Greek Americans from across
1950-496: 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 the county incorporated during this time were Clearwater (1891), Dunedin (1899), and Largo (1905). Construction of Fort De Soto , on Mullet Key facing
2028-459: 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 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
2106-523: 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 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
2184-612: 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
2262-459: 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
2340-531: 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 ,
2418-707: The 1980s, the sponge business experienced a boom due to a sponge disease that killed the Mediterranean sponges. Today there is still a small active sponge industry. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city of Tarpon Springs has a total area of 16.9 square miles (44 km), of which 9.1 square miles (24 km) is land and 7.7 square miles (20 km) (45.83%) is water. Tarpon Springs' climate borders on humid subtropical and tropical savanna , with warm temperatures year-round, although winter nights are cool. Annual precipitation
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2496-652: 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
2574-509: The Greektown Historic District of Tarpon Springs is both part of the traditional Greek community and the city's primary tourist destination. The street winds its way from Pinellas Avenue west along the Anclote River. Numerous restaurants serve traditional Greek cuisine and fresh seafood. The nearby beaches, part of the Pinellas County parks, are popular for water activities. Sandy barrier islands off shore shift position over time with
2652-493: 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
2730-487: 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 , a French Huguenot from Charleston, South Carolina became the first permanent, non-native resident of the peninsula when he established
2808-419: 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
2886-797: The air observed few times each century. According to the National Weather Service , in the Florida Keys and Key West there is no known occurrence of snow flurries since the European colonization of the region more than 300 years ago. In Miami , Fort Lauderdale , and Palm Beach there has been only one known report of snow flurries observed in the air in more than 200 years; this occurred in January 1977. In any event, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach have not seen snow flurries before or since this 1977 event. Due to Florida's low latitude and subtropical climate , temperatures low enough to support significant snowfall are infrequent and their duration
2964-404: 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
3042-628: 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
3120-445: The city. The population density was 2,297.1 inhabitants per square mile (886.9/km). There were 10,759 housing units at an average density of 1,176.7 units per square mile (454.3 units/km). The racial makeup of the city was 90.07% White , 6.15% African American , 0.29% Native American , 1.04% Asian , 0.06% Pacific Islander , 0.81% from other races , and 1.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.33% of
3198-491: The country, and the city's population is known to triple in size for that day. The Metropolitan of Atlanta usually presides over the blessings, sometimes joined by the Archbishop of America . The blessings conclude with the ceremonial throwing of a wooden cross into the city's Spring Bayou, and boys ages 16 to 18 dive in to retrieve it: whoever recovers the cross is said to be blessed for a full year. Dodecanese Avenue in
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3276-417: 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
3354-522: 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
3432-505: 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
3510-486: 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 a push to secede from Hillsborough. They succeeded, and on January 1, 1912, Pinellas County came into being. The peninsula, along with
3588-915: 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
3666-409: 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
3744-445: 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
3822-476: 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
3900-471: 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
3978-600: 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,
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#17327805724594056-458: The known information on snow in Florida prior to 1900 is from climatological records provided by the National Weather Service meteorological station in Jacksonville , and information for other locations is sparse. The earliest recorded instance of snow in Florida occurred in 1774; being unaccustomed to snow, some Jacksonville residents called it "extraordinary white rain." The first White Christmas in northeastern Florida's history resulted from
4134-594: 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
4212-450: The library then moved to Pinellas Avenue and then to Library Lane in 1937 when a new building was constructed. As the surround population began to grow, the library made yet another move in 1967 to a building located on Spring Bayou. By this time, the library earned support from the city and eventually enlarged the building from 3,000 to 9,000 square feet in 1986. Less than ten years later, the Tarpon Springs population grew and additional space
4290-521: 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
4368-516: 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
4446-482: 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 the early years of the 20th century, West Hillsborough had no paved roads, and transportation posed a major challenge. A trip to
4524-491: The new name "Christopher Columbus", and veterans of subsequent wars. In the 1880s, John K. Cheyney founded the first local sponge business. The industry continued to grow in the 1890s. Many people from Key West and the Bahamas settled in Tarpon Springs to hook sponges and then process them. A few Greek immigrants also arrived in this city during the 1890s to work in the sponge industry. In 1905, John Cocoris introduced
4602-481: The patrol division. The only hospital in Tarpon Springs is AdventHealth North Pinellas . In 2007 and 2008, the City of Tarpon Springs established Sister City relationships with Kalymnos , Halki , Symi , Hydra , and Larnaca, Cyprus , honoring the close historical link with these Greek-speaking islands. Pinellas County, Florida Pinellas County ( US : / p ɪ ˈ n ɛ l ə s / , pih-NEL-əss )
4680-679: 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, the Marstons, and the McMullens established homesteads in the area in the years following, planting more citrus groves and raising cattle. During
4758-557: 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, 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
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#17327805724594836-467: 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
4914-444: 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
4992-405: The population. In 2000, there were 9,067 households, out of which 22.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
5070-406: 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
5148-967: 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
5226-583: The state curving northeastward to combine freezing air into the frontal clouds. While light snowfall occurs a few times each decade across the northern panhandle , most of the state is too far south of the cold continental air masses responsible for generating snowfall in the rest of the country. The mean maximum monthly snowfall in most parts of Florida is zero. The only other areas in the continental United States with this distinction are southern and southeast Texas (around McAllen and Houston ) and parts of coastal southern California at low elevations. Much of
5304-435: The tarpon spring!' For the most part, the fish seen splashing here were mullet rather than tarpon. In 1882, Hamilton Disston , who in the previous year had purchased the land, ordered the creation of a town plan. On February 12, 1887, Tarpon Springs became the first incorporated city in what is now Pinellas County. Less than a year later on January 13, 1888, the Orange Belt Railway , the first railroad line to be built in what
5382-567: The technique of sponge diving to Tarpon Springs by recruiting divers and crew members from Greece. The first divers came from the Saronic Gulf islands of Aegina and Hydra , but they were soon outnumbered by those from the Dodecanese islands of Kalymnos , Symi and Halki . The sponge industry soon became one of the leading maritime industries in Florida and the most important business in Tarpon Springs, generating millions of dollars
5460-621: 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
5538-580: The waves and storms. They are accessible by boat and are especially ideal for shell spotting and watching bottlenose dolphins at play. One permanent island, Anclote Key , is a State Park Preserve with a historic lighthouse, bird nesting colonies and pristine beaches. The Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum in Craig Park offers a permanent exhibition about the history and culture of the Greek Community. The Cultural Center at 101 W. Pinellas Avenue has
5616-541: 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
5694-410: Was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.78. In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 19.2% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 24.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males. In 2000, the median income for
5772-474: 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
5850-673: Was needed. In January of 1997, a new 20,000 square foot building officially opened in the middle of the downtown area. The library is a member of the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative. Tarpon Springs is the setting and primary filming location of the 1953 film Beneath the Twelve-Mile Reef which follows the lives of a family of Greek sponge fishermen and depicts the annual Epiphany celebration . The Tarpon Springs Police Department has 57 sworn officers. Of those, approximately 32 are assigned to
5928-424: Was observed on July 10, 1997. Spring and fall are generally warm. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 25,117 people, 10,971 households, and 6,191 families residing in the city. As of the 2010 United States census , there were 23,484 people, 9,870 households, and 6,113 families residing in the city. As of the census of 2000, there were 21,003 people, 9,067 households, and 5,947 families residing in
6006-485: Was observed on four different dates: December 1, 1962, December 13, 1962, December 14, 1962, and January 13, 1985. Summers are hot and very humid, causing frequent afternoon thunderstorms that can occasionally produce hail , and, even tornadoes or waterspouts off the Gulf of Mexico . Daytime temperatures usually range from 89 to 91 °F (32 to 33 °C), with temperatures over 100 °F (38 °C) very rare. The record high temperature of 102 °F (39 °C)
6084-630: 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
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