Tarpon Springs Florida
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An
enchanting town that offers lasting memories
Tarpon
Springs was incorporated as a city in 1887. The community
first settled there in 1882. The city is named for the
tarpon, a fish that is found in abundance off the coast.
Many Greek immigrants came here after 1905 to continue
their traditional trade of sponge diving. The
Epiphany ceremony, an old
Greek Orthodox rite, is a colorful event that is held on
January 6th. Tarpon Springs is a part of Pinellas County,
which is located in west-central Florida, on the Gulf of
Mexico. Dating back to the early 1900's when sponges were
discovered in the local waters, Tarpon Springs experienced
an influx of immigrants from the Dodecanese Islands of
Greece who settled here to work in their native industry of
sponge diving. As the industry grew, so did the Greek
community, bringing its wonderful ethnic flavor, customs
and charm with them.
As one of the world's leading producers of natural sponges,
Tarpon Springs is blessed with still one more unique
quality. With a current population of just a little over
20,000 people, it is comprised of approximately one third
people of Greek descent
A mile south of the Sponge Docks is downtown Tarpon
Springs, which is listed in The National Register of
Historic Places. A mixture of antique shops, art galleries,
specialty shops, and restaurants, this area is the vibrant
center of the city.
Also in this area is the Cultural Center, where a variety
of exhibits, concerts, and programs are held
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, a
replica of St. Sophia Cathedral in Constantinople, is open
daily to visitors and worshipers. At the Universalist
Church, the paintings of world-renowned landscape artist
George Imess, Jr. can be seen from October to May
With approximately 15 restaurants and more than 100 shops,
the
Sponge Docks offer
something of interest for everyone.
You can take a leisurely sightseeing cruise down the
Anclote River, enjoy a lunch or dinner cruise to the Gulf,
take a 5 hour casino cruise, or experience a live, sponge
diving exhibition You can also visit the 120,000 gallon
salt water aquarium, tour the sponge museum, or go deep sea
fishing. Historic, picturesque, and unspoiled, Tarpon
Springs is composed Of delightful residential areas,
clustered around beautiful saltwater bayous and
other waterways. The
community is a mixture of new subdivisions and graceful old
mansions.
There is plenty to see and do, from the world famous Sponge
Docks to deep sea fishing, from antique shops in the
historic downtown area to championship golf, from walking
around
Spring Bayou to
watching the
sunset on the Gulf of Mexico.
The community is permanently enriched by the Mediterranean
heritage brought at the turn of the century by
Greek sponge divers and
their families. The feast of Epiphany on January 6th, the
largest such celebration in the U.S., attracts spectators
from all over the country.
An abundance of parks contain all types of facilities to
fill your leisure hours. There are picnic areas, swimming
pools, jogging, hiking and cycling trails, tennis and
basketball courts, Horse Back riding, and playgrounds for
children. Private, semi-private and public golf courses are
everywhere, many of PGA championship caliber. You can
explore Tarpon Springs on the Trolley that picks up
passengers all around the city.
The area has beautiful
beaches &
parks,
Howard's beach park &
Sunset beach park &.Tarpon lake. And Fred Howard's Park
and beach made the
Clean Beaches Council Releases Annual List of Clean and
Healthy Beaches.
Tarpon
is close to:
Honeymoon Island,
Caladesi Island, Clearwater beach 20 min, All listed as the
nations top Beaches. And Busch Gardens 45min,
(Tampa
Airport is 20 min)
For
more information about Tarpon Springs or events
calendar Contact
Chamber of Commerce at (727 ) 937-6109
www.tarponsprings.com