City Highlight – Tarpon Springs

DiGiovanni Homes builds new homes with spacious, open floor plans in the form of single-family homes, condos or townhomes in Tampa Bay’s best communities. In this blog, we are highlighting one of our favorites cities — Tarpon Springs.

Tarpon Springs

Tarpon Springs is a city in Pinellas County located in central Florida’s Gulf Coast. It has the largest population of Greek and Greek-Americans than anywhere in the United States and is home to the World Famous Sponge Docks.

History

The Sponge Docks, just 20 minutes north of Clearwater, are still an active working waterfront as they have been since the 1800s. Tarpon Springs grew alongside with the sponge industry as it grew. This city was also once known as the “Venice of the South” and has held the name “The Sponge Capital of the World.” This incredible small town has a beautiful way of transporting you thousands of miles away to a coastal village in Greece.

In 1888, Tarpon Springs was the very first incorporated city in Pinellas County. That is also when the first railroad line in Pinellas County, Orange Belt Railway, arrived in Tarpon Springs. With the railway, Tarpon Springs became a fast-growing wintering spot for wealthy northerners.

Population

Tarpon Springs has a population of 25,331 people. The average family size is 2.98, the average household size is 2.43, and 45.9% are married. The median age living in Tarpon Springs is 51.3, 46.6 for males and 54.1 for females.

Sponge Docks

Dodecanese Boulevard is the main road of Tarpon Springs. It is also known as the Sponge Docks. It follows the riverfront and is lined with delicious Greek eateries and eclectic shops. Since the early 1900s, there is a legacy of the Greek sponge divers who settled here.

The name Dodecanese (pronounced dō-dĕk′ə-nēs′) is means 12 islands. Dodecanese is a group of islands of southeast Greece in the Aegean Sea between Turkey and Crete.

Best Things to See and Do in Tarpon Springs

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

The 1940s St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church has stained glass and a Grecian marble altar. It is located off of Pinellas Avenue.

Tarpon Springs Aquarium

Tarpon Springs Aquarium displays Gulf marine life. Make sure you pet the baby sharks and stingrays.

Greek Culture,  Shops, and Delicious Greek Cuisine

Enjoy the rich Greek culture and delicious Greek cuisine while visiting Tarpon Springs. It is a diverse cultural destination, rich in art, museums, performing arts, eclectic shopping, and dining experiences, and many outdoor recreational activities.

Some of the Authentic Greek Restaurants in Tarpon Springs include:

  • Mama’s Greek Cuisine
  • Hellas Restaurant and Bakery
  • Mykonos
  • Dimitri’s on the Water Green Restaurant
  • Rusty Bellies Waterfront Grill

The shops in Tarpon Springs offer everything from souvenirs, home goods, natural sponges, clothing, straw hats, jewelry, and olive oil soap.

Blue Bayou Inn

If you like a bed and breakfast environment, check out this quaint beautiful Blue Bayou Inn in Tarpon Springs with eight bedrooms for guests.

Water Activities

Tarpon Springs is located between the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Tarpon. The City boasts multiple beaches and waterfront parks, perfect for fishing, boating, kayaking, shell hunting and more.

Fred Howard Park

Fred Howard Park provides access to the Gulf of Mexico by a 1-mile long causeway with a white sandy beach which is a very popular north county swim area and also provides a perfect location for visitors to enjoy many spectacular sunsets. Visitors can view eagles and nesting ospreys as they fish for food in the surrounding waters. Dolphins, and occasionally manatees, are seen in the area. People enjoy the causeway for sunbathing, fishing, and exercising.

Victorian Homes

Tarpon Springs has a rich Victorian-era history that some people might not expect. Large Victorian homes owned by the wealthy “snowbirds” traveling down via train popped up all around the City’s Spring Bayou waterfront, becoming known as the “Golden Crescent.” Many of these beautiful homes still stand today, such as the City-owned 1883 Safford House Museum, initially owned by Anson P.K. Safford, the founding father of Tarpon Springs.

With public art installations sprinkled throughout and multiple places listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including a historic district and the recognized Greektown district, the city has become a destination for history and art lovers as well.

Properties

DiGiovanni Homes has built properties in Palm Harbor, Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Tarpon Springs, Safety Harbor, and Dunedin. Here is a list of some of our properties:

Palm Harbor

Clearwater

Clearwater Beach

Tarpon Springs

Safety Harbor

Dunedin

If you’re looking for a new home built by a premier homebuilder with quality finishes in Pinellas County, visit DiGiovanni Homes at Montclair Lake Townhomes and Villas at 2251 Montclair Road in Clearwater, or call Patrick at 727-637-5134.

If you’re ready to buy a new home, check out one of the DiGiovanni Homes available! Our new homes offer spacious, open floor plans in the form of single-family homes, condos or townhomes in Tampa Bay’s best communities. Visit Digiovannihomes.com today to learn more!