Bavarian Lodge Bed and Breakfast

Howard Park is a unique...

by ZenGator

Howard Park is a unique location in southern Tarpon Springs. There's a regular picnic and play park on the coast, then a short causeway to a very nice small beach island. It's not well known and is an alternative to the more crowded beaches further down in the St. Pete/Clearwater area.

tarpon springs florida

by doug48

"tarpon springs"

tarpon springs is a small town located on US 19ALT in north pinellas county florida. tarpon springs began as a settlement of winter visitors in 1876. in actually tarpon springs is not a spring but it was named by early settlers who saw tarpon "springing" in the bayou. in the 1880's greek immigrants came to tarpon springs to harvest sea sponges. in 1905 john cocoris improved sponge diving technology and recruited greek divers from the dodecanese islands. until the 1947 algae bloom the sponge harvesting industry was tarpon springs largest employer. when the algae bloom decimated the off shore sponge fields the inhabitants of tarpon springs turned to fishing and shrimping. the sponges you find in tarpon springs gift shops are now mostly imported.

greek culture is very evident in tarpon springs. tarpon springs has the best collection of greek restaurants in the state of florida. on january 6 th of each year tarpon springs has an epiphany celebration were boys aged 16-18 dive for a wooden cross in spring bayou. it is belived that the boy that recovers the cross is blessed for a year. on january 6 th 2006 bartholomew I, the patriarich of constantinople presided over this celebration. because of tarpon spring's greek culture it is an interesting town to visit when in west central florida.

A little bit of Greece in Florida

by Erin09340

"More then sponges"

Tarpon Springs is an interesting town. It's located in Pinellas County, just north of Palm Harbor. The town has a very large Greek population and one can see their influence everywhere from the language taught in the schools, the biggest epiphany celebration outside Greece, and a thriving fishing and sponging industry. In fact, Tarpon Springs High School (where I attended) has a Sponger for their mascot.

In one of the Greek Orthodox churches, one can find an icon that cried a few years ago. Lots of people made pilgrammages to Tarpon Springs for that miracle. My mother (who taught at Tarpon Springs Middle School) told me a story of a gentleman whose son was dying of a brain tumor. He prayed to St. Michael to save his son, promising to build a beautiful church in his honor. His son was saved and the church was built.

Along the main street in Tarpon, one can find many restaurants, from Mykonos and Santorini, to the Plaka and Pappas' (where my sister had her wedding reception). There are a couple of bakeries serving the most delicious pastries and desserts.

One will also find stores selling those very charming Florida knick-knacks and souveniers. You can also pick up a sponge or twenty.