history

Clearwater, Florida like many of its surrounding towns, has a storied history. Present day Clearwater sits on the west coast of A History of Clearwater Florida Florida along the Gulf of Mexico.

Hundreds of years ago Clearwater was the home of the Tocobaga Indians. When Spanish explorers discovered the area the Tocobaga were a well established in the area.

Fort Harrison constructed

Around 1835 Fort Harrison, which was named after William Henry Harrison, was constructed to be used as an outpost during the Seminole Wars. The fort was located in a spot that was overlooking Clearwater Harbor, where today Harbor Oaks is located. Archaeologists from the University of South Florida uncovered an underground ammunition bunker on the spot.

Occupation Act

The Federal Occupation Act of 1842 caused a population growth. The Act offered 160 acres to anyone who would farm the land and also bear arms. Early settlers included the Stevens, Stevenson and McMullen families. Each claimed and farmed large tracts of land.

Clear Water Harbor

Initially the area was known as Clear Water Harbor, the “Clear Water” is believed to have come from a fresh water spring found near the location of the current City Hall building.
During the Civil War, most of the residents fought for the Confederacy. Union gunboats repeatedly raided the community’s supplies since it was largely unprotected.

Development really took off after Peter Demens completed the first passenger railroad line to Clearwater. It became a popular vacation destination and it’s reputation grew after railroad magnate Henry Plant built the Belleview Biltmore in 1897.

During World War II, Clearwater was a major training base for US troops destined for Europe and the Pacific. All of the hotels in the area, including the Belleview Biltmore and the Fort Harrison Hotel, were used as barracks for new recruits. Sand Key, then known as Dan’s Island, was used by the Army Air Corps for strafing and bombing practice.

Today, Clearwater is still a beacon for vacationers, but also a great place to live and soak up the history.

Dunedin, Florida, like it’s neighboring towns and cities, has an interesting and ethnic history. The earliest inhabitants, like the surrounding territory, were native Americans. It was the later settlers that set the tone for today.

Gaelic name for Edinburgh

A History of Dunedin Florida In the 1800’s Scottish families settled the area. The name of the town, Dunedin, is also the Gaelic name for Edinburgh (Dùn Èideann) Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland. Two Scotsmen, J.O. Douglas and James Summerville, named the settlement. Douglas, Summerville and others brought their Scottish customs to the area.

One of the earliest settlers was John W. Marston

Marston was a carpenter and citrus farmer. He provided jobs for other settlers who came to the area. Dunedin is the oldest town south of Cedar Key, Florida. It became one of Florida’s chief seaports and trading centers because it had the space to accommodate larger sailing vessels.

Incorporated

Dunedin was incorporated as a town in 1899. Residents demanded it due to pigs that were constantly running through town. In order to ban livestock from the town it had to be incorporated as such. In 1913 it became a city.

By the 1940’s Dunedin had become known for the Roebling Alligator

Just before and during World War II, the Food Machinery Corporation had a factory in Dunedin. The factory was the site where the Landing Vehicle Tracked was developed by Donald Roebling and others from Roebling’s alligator. The LTV was used in WWII and training on them was done at the factory.

During that time the school and its students were housed in the Hotel Dunedin. This continued until 1944 when the program was transferred to Camp Pendleton in San Diego, California.
Today Dunedin is a great area to live and visit. It still celebrates it’s Scottish heritage and history.

Come on by and see for yourself.

The Deb Ward Team