Tarpon Springs is rich in history 

Tarpon Springs is one of the most colorful, historic, and unique towns in Pinellas County and the entire State. This city of 24,000 is located at the extreme north of the county where the Anclote River meets the Gulf of Mexico. It was founded in 1887 and was the first city to be incorporated in Pinellas County. Greek immigrants founded the sponge industry and by 1900 it was the largest sponge port in the United States. Sponges harvested here are considered to be among the very finest in the world. Tourism is now the city's largest industry but it is the still active Sponge Docks that make this possible

Authentic Greek Heritage in Tarpon Springs

The authentic Greek heritage permeates and colors the entire city. This is especially apparent in the Sponge Docks and Downtown. The winding brick streets resemble a small Greek fishing village and are dotted with art galleries, antique, and specialty shops, many of them owned by members of the original families from the city's early days. There are many buildings listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Indeed, rigorous zoning and careful preservation have rendered Downtown and the Sponge Docks a Designated Historic District. Tarpon Springs is justifiably famed for its many fine restaurants which feature real Greek cuisine and locally caught seafood. The Tarpon Springs Aquarium is also located in the Historic District and contains a living reef and local sea and wildlife including sharks, sea turtles, and alligators. Unsurprisingly, the unique, authentic, and colorful ambiance of the city includes a thriving cultural and arts scene.

Famous Gulf Beaches, Great Recreational Choices

Tarpon Springs has many fine parks, several of them featuring public access to the internationally famed Gulf of Mexico beaches. Residents have a wealth of recreational options including wind surfing, boating, deep sea fishing, and swimming. Anclote Key Preserve State Park can be reached only by boat and contains mangrove wetlands, miles of completely unspoiled beaches, and a dense stand of pine flatwoods. Many seabirds breed and nest here amd the Island is a National Wildlife Refuge. 

Epiphany Day, A Joyous Celebration

The city hosts a number of annual celebrations including wine, fine arts, Greek heritage, and jazz festivals. But Tarpon Springs is most famous for its Epiphany Day Celebration, held every January 6th for the last 107 years in commemoration of Christ's baptism in the River Jordan. Greek-Americans from across the country, even the world, come to Tarpon Springs for Epiphany Day and the city's population increases three-fold during the celebration. A high official of the Greek Orthodox Church, usually the Metropolitan of Atlanta who is sometimes joined by the Archbishop of America presides over the joyous occasion. A wooden Crucifix is tossed into the waters of Spring Bayou and boys from sixteen to eighteen dive in to retrieve it. The one who succeeds is said to be blessed for the following year. The celebration then moves to the Sponge Docks where food, drink, and music complete the festivities.

Tarpon Springs, Historic Community, An Ideal Location

Tarpon Springs represents something all to rare in the modern world. It is not a facsimile but rather an authentic and historic community that prides itself in its very real Greek heritage. Additionally, all of the choices and diversity of the bustling Tampa Bay Metro Area are close at hand. The many resorts and attractions of Orlando including, of course, Disney World are but a seventy mile drive up the Interstate. Tarpon Springs has much to offer and is unquestionably one of the  most desirable home buyer sites in the entire state.

Find a Home in Historic Tarpon Springs

If you are relocating to Tarpon Springs, contact the real estate professionals with Lubin Team Realty at 727-410-5696.

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