Safety Harbor is a little town of about 18,000 people located on the Pinellas County side of Tampa Bay. The Spanish conquistadors Narvayez and De Soto both landed here. The name comes from the 17th century, when pirates prowled the Caribbean area--this part of Tampa Bay was considered a "safe harbor" to escape from the raiders. The area became known for its mineral-water springs, which were reputed to have curative powers. Around 1900, the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa was established to cater to wealthy northeasterners who traveled to Florida to heal themselves by soaking in the mineral springs. The Spa is still open today, and is now a National Historic Landmark.
Main Street is lined with antique shops and restaurants.
The grand old Live Oak Tree in the center of town.
The Art Gallery.
The Spa.
The Heron Fountain
The Fishing Pier in the harbor.
A juvenile Brown Pelican out in the harbor.
NOTE: As some of you already know, all of my diaries here are draft chapters for a number of books I am working on. So I welcome any corrections you may have, whether it's typos or places that are unclear or factual errors. I think of y'all as my pre-publication editors and proofreaders. ;)