| Tarpon Springs is located in northwest Pinellas County along the Gulf of Mexico. The area's first settlers arrived in 1876 and built a cabin on Spring Bayou, one of many estuaries meandering throughout the town and connecting with the Anclote River and Gulf of Mexico. The city was incorporated in 1887 and named after the mighty Tarpon, a prized gamefish inhabiting the bayous and known for its leaping ability and aerial-like acrobats. By the turn of the century, the area was finding its niche. The fertile but shallow waters of the Gulf provide for a thriving sponge population and it wasn't long before the industry became Tarpon Spring's most important commodity. Greek immigrants began settling here to continue their role as sponge divers and traders. The mouth of the Anclote River where it meets with the Gulf of Mexico proved an ideal location for the dive boats and became known as the Sponge Docks. Small eateries began appearing along the Sponge Docks to feed the divers and crew. As news of the successful sponge harvest spread, tourists began visiting to observe boats unloading the day's harvest of sponge. Divers' families opened small gift shops peddling sponges and other souvenirs to the visitors. It wasn't long before vacation rentals began appearing in order to accommodate the influx of tourists. Real estate in Tarpon Springs began selling quickly. Today, Tarpon Springs changed little except for increased population and tourism. Known as the sponge capital of the world, the population of the town remains largely of Greek heritage and is celebrated each year with the Epiphany ceremony, a centuries-old Greek Orthodox rite consisting of a group of adolescent men diving into the waters of Spring Bayou to retrieve a white cross cast by the archbishop. The young man fortunate enough to retrieve the cross is said to be blessed by God. Thousands of pilgrims and tourists alike flock to this annual event. The Sponge Docks offers visitors sponges, shells, shark's teeth, fishing nets and a wide array of mementos and souvenirs associated with Florida. Of course, the Greek food is not to be ignored. Greek salads, pastries and lamb are exceptionally popular. Weekly sponge auctions take place and visitors can observe the quaint ships and boats as divers unload the day's catch. Deep sea fishing excursions are also available. Several vacation rentals, condos and other accommodations are within walking distance of the Sponge Docks. New luxury condominium homes are appearing along the picturesque Anclote River affording occupants an unobstructed view of the water and surrounding pristine wetlands. Visit CondoCompany.com for the latest information regarding accommodations and real estate opportunities in Tarpon Springs. Many visitors prefer to take in the town's rich and historic architecture, such as St. Nicholas Church. The structure was modeled upon the great Byzantine cathedrals and resembles St. Sophia Cathedral in Constantinople. Tarpon Springs is a wonderful community in which to purchase a condominium, vacation rental or income-generating investment property. Top-rated schools, unmatched city services, a low crime rate and convenient location to some of the nation's top-rated beaches make Tarpon Springs an ideal place to visit for a day, week or lifetime. CondoCompany.com specializes in condos, condominium town homes, vacation rentals and income-generating properties. Look to CondoCompany.com for the latest information regarding Tarpon Springs real estate opportunities. |
