Courtesy, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System
Clearwater, Florida is located on the Gulf of Mexico and is known for its beautiful beaches and warm climate. The area has a rich history dating back to the late 1800s, when the first settlers arrived ².
In 1842, a man named Odet Philippe settled in the area and began growing oranges and other citrus fruits ³. This helped to attract more settlers to the area and by 1848, a small community called Clear Water Harbor had formed.
In the early 1900s, the city of Clearwater was officially incorporated and began to grow rapidly ². The population boomed during the 1920s and 1930s, thanks to the real estate boom and the arrival of several large hotels and resorts ⁵. These included the Belleview-Biltmore Hotel, which was a popular destination for celebrities and politicians.
Today, Clearwater is a thriving city with a population of over 110,000 ¹. The city is home to a variety of cultural and recreational activities, including the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which is known for its rescued dolphins and sea turtles. The city is also home to the Philadelphia Phillies spring training facility and the annual Clearwater Jazz Holiday ³.
Clearwater Beach is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the area, known for its white sand beaches and clear waters. It's also been ranked the #1 beach in the United States multiple times over the years ⁶. Clearwater Beach also has a wide range of dining and shopping options, as well as a large marina where visitors can take boat tours or go fishing ².
The city also offers a wide range of housing options, from historic homes in the downtown area to new construction in the suburbs. In addition, Clearwater is home to several higher education institutions, including St. Petersburg College, which offers a variety of academic programs, and the Pinellas Technical College, which offers vocational and technical training.
Overall, Clearwater, FL is a city with a rich history and a vibrant present. With its beautiful beaches, warm climate, and variety of activities and amenities, it is an attractive place to live and visit.
FUN FACT
In 1948, three-toed tracks were found on Clearwater Beach that locals theorized belonged to a 15-foot "monster" ⁴. After 10 years of consistent sightings of these usually large tracks, it was believed that they possibly belonged to a giant penguin that was supposed to be extinct. However, everything was revealed as a hoax 40 years later when the real owner of the tracks confessed to the ruse and showed off his cleverly made "monster shoes".
City of Clearwater. (n.d.). About Clearwater. Myclearwater.com. Retrieved January 22, 2023, from https://www.myclearwater.com/My-Government/About-Clearwater#:~:text=Clearwater%20History,reputation%20as%20a%20resort%20community
Destination 360. (n.d.). Clearwater history. Clearwater History | Facts about Clearwater | History of Clearwater. Retrieved January 22, 2023, from http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/florida/clearwater/history
Encyclopædia Britannica. (n.d.). Clearwater. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved January 22, 2023, from https://www.britannica.com/place/Clearwater
Felton, J. (2022, August 24). The giant penguin hoax that fooled Florida for 10 whole years. IFLScience. Retrieved January 22, 2023, from https://www.iflscience.com/the-giant-penguin-hoax-that-fooled-florida-for-ten-whole-years-65020
Quick Appliance Repair FL. (n.d.). History of Clearwater Florida - how it evolved into a City. quickappliancerepairfl.com. Retrieved January 22, 2023, from https://quickappliancerepairfl.com/clearwater-city-clerk-fl-33756/
Visit St. Pete/Clearwater. (n.d.). Award-winning beaches. Visit St Petersburg Clearwater Florida. Retrieved January 22, 2023, from https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/article/award-winning-beaches#:~:text=Clearwater%20Beach,-play&text=In%20addition%20to%20its%20countless,Beaches%20in%20Florida%22%20in%202021.
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