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Safety Harbor

Safety Harbor History

   In 1513, Juan Ponce de Leon became the first European to explore Florida during his quest to find the Fountain of Youth. Twenty-six years later, Hernando de Soto thought he found the mystical waters near modern-day Safety Harbor. De Soto discovered natural mineral springs that had amazing curative powers. He dubbed the springs "Espiritu Santo," meaning "Water of the Holy Spirit."  The springs and the property surrounding them changed hands several times over the next few centuries. In 1823, Count Odet Philippe set up a homestead on the land. Philippe, who served as a surgeon under Napoleon Bonaparte, is widely credited with introducing citrus crops to Florida. His original homestead is now site of 122-acre Philippe Park, one of Pinellas County's premier facilities.  In the 1850s, Col. William J. Bailey purchased the land and named it "Bailey by the Sea," although most visitors called the region "Green Springs." The city got its modern-day name after ships began using the location as a refuge from storms. The harbor's location at the northern tip of Tampa Bay was a true safety zone, hence the name "Safety Harbor."

   The springs continued to be a major draw for Safety Harbor, and in the early 1900s, the town got a new nickname: "The Health Giving City.” Safety Harbor spring water was shipped to health-conscious customers worldwide, and in 1936, Dr. and Mrs. Alben Jansik bought the springs and built a sanitarium on the site. Nine years later, the Jansiks sold the facility to Dr. Salem H. Baranoff, who turned it into a overnight resort called Safety Harbor Spa.  Safety Harbor was formally incorporated as a city in 1917, and the Safety Harbor Spa was recognized as a historical landmark by the U.S. Department of Interior in 1964. Today both the spa and the city continue to draw visitors from around the world.

Activities

   Safety Harbor is located at the northern tip of Tampa Bay, which provides ample opportunities for fishing, boating and other water-related activities.  The Safety Harbor Fishing Pier is located near Marina Park, one of several outdoor facilities that offer scenic paths for walkers, joggers and bicyclists. Bayshore Linear Park even includes a measured walking path along the Bayshore Linear Greenway.  The city's most popular park is Philippe Park, a 122-acre site located on the old homestead of Odet Philippe. Before Philippe settled on the land, the area was a Native American settlement, and an ancient ceremonial mound is the center point of this scenic park.  Learn more about the city's past at the Safety Harbor Museum of Regional History, a history and archaeology museum located on the site of a Tocobaga Indian shell mound.
   
   Safety Harbor Spa remains a major attraction for visitors and locals alike. The region's famed mineral waters are used in the resort's pools, saunas, steam rooms and whirlpools. Day spa packages are available, or you can spend a luxurious weekend at the top-class resort.  Annual events include the Harbor Sounds Seafood Festival, Taste of Safety Harbor, the Haunted House and the ever-popular kayak races.  Safety Harbor is also close to Clearwater, Tampa and St. Petersburg, which offer shopping, fine dining, amusement parks, museums and professional sporting events.

Safety Harbor Fast Facts

   Location: Safety Harbor is located on the Central West Florida coast, about 18 miles from St. Petersburg and 20 miles from Tampa
  *Total area: 5.05 square miles (4.92 square miles land area; 0.13 square miles water area)
  *Population: 17,203
  *Housing units: 7,483
   Average annual rainfall: 52.42 inches
   Average temperatures: 83ºF in summer, 61ºF in winter
*Information provided by 2000 Census

Schools

   There are three public schools in Safety Harbor: Safety Harbor Elementary, Safety Harbor Middle School and Safety Harbor Secondary School.

Homes

   There are a variety of beach homes and condos available in Safety Harbor. Homes are available for year-round occupancy or vacation rental.

Maps of Safety Harbor

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