160 E. Tarpon Avenue – Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 – 727-943-4624

Remembrance Tea and 125th Birthday of Tarpon Springs 

Plans are moving ahead as we plan our Celebrations for our Community in 2012.Be sure and mark your calendar for attending the Remembrance Tea on Sunday *March 11, 2012 from 2:00 PM. until 4:00 PM... The history of those families that were here in 1887 will be recognized as a kick off for our 125th birthday. A presentation will be given by Elizabeth Coachman
Portraying Dr. Mary Jane Safford. ...............*Note date change

February is Black History Month

Join us on February 22nd

7:00 PM

The Historic Train Depot

160 E. Tarpon Ave.

Al Quarterman speaking

On Rose Cemetery

Celebrating with the Girl Scouts on their 100th Birthday

On Saturday February 11 there will be presented an “ Interview with Juliette Lowe” at 2:00 PM at The Church on the Bayou on Whitcomb Blvd.
Starting March 12th at the Historic Train Depot there will be an exhibit to celebrate the 100th birthday of the Girl Scouts of America. Our own board member, Mildred Wilson is spearheading this celebration.

Collection Corner

 On February 12th, 1887, a meeting was called by Edward Knapp to incorporate Tarpon Springs in Hillsborough County. It is no wonder that Mr. Knapp and his neighbors, Mr. DeGolier, Mr. Thornton, ex governor Safford and others chose to encircle Spring Bayou with their beautiful homes. The description in 1887 by Lucie Buckner Vannevar reads,” Not far from where the winding Anclote empties into the waters of St. Joseph’s bay, tiny bayous as we call them here, stretching out like the fingers of an open hand, run up into the land, and it is at the head of one of these, the Spring Bayou, that the main part of town is located. It is called the big Bayou because almost in its centre is a huge spring, so tranquil at some seasons that a stranger may well doubt its existence; at other times boiling and bubbling up, disturbing the whole
surface of the water; occasionally omitting a sulphourous odor, unpleasantly suggestive of the lower regions”   “Concerning this same spring…the one theory generally accepted that it is the subterranean outlet of Lake Butler, some two miles distant. Before the semi-annual disturbance, the spring, they say, discharges with a large report and the water spouts high in the air. Near the edge of the bayou is a mineral spring possessing it is said, wonderful medicinal properties. On the shore farthest from the town is a large bath house and here every day come a bevy of matrons and maidens who disport in the pleasant waters, despite the presence of finny inhabitants, and even at times an occasional alligator. When the rising tide comes in, the tarpon, the silver king of the Southern waters, well named, as when sporting in the waves, his scales glistening like a coat of mail.”

Many thanks to Elizabeth Coachman for the CD she donated to the Archives of the Tarpon Springs Area Historical Society with Lucie Vannevars columns from 1884, 1886-1887 along with various newspapers from that period.

For more information
On any events call
727-943-4624

VISIT OUR GIFT SHOP

The Historic Train Depot has a wonderful gift shop with many books written about Tarpon Springs and Florida. There are also different photos and other memorabilia to purchase.

On Saturday March 3 from noon until 3:00 PM Carol Mountain will be at the Depot to sign her new book from Arcadia Publishers called Postcard History Series. The book will be released on February 13. Please join us.

Membership

CATEGORIES OF MEMBERSHIP

   Student $10.00 __ (K-12^th)

   Individual $20.00 __

   Family/Dual $30.00 __

   Contributing $50.00 __

   Patron $100.00 __

   Life Member $200.00 __

Membership Application

Tarpon Springs Area Historical Society 160 E. Tarpon Avenue

Tarpon Springs, FL. 34689

(E-mail)

Please mail or drop by the Historic Train Depot with your application and payment to renew or to join us. A Christmas ornament of the train station is available for new and renewing members at the $30 level or above.

mLinks to other sites of interest
City of Tarpon Springs
Sponge Docks
Visit Florida