The Florida heat can be oppressive, but in Tarpon Springs you can almost feel the refreshing cool, dry breezes of a Mediterranean summer. OK- so it’s not the Mediterranean, but it is FUN and the Greek food is delicious!!
The beginning of Tarpon Springs
Located about 2 hours from my home base in Orlando, it’s a easy day trip if you’re visiting Central Florida. The first Europeans to settle in Tarpon Springs were A.W. Ormond and his daughter Mary. In 1886 they traveled to Florida from South Carolina and chose to settle along the shores of Spring Bayou. Spring Bayou is one of my favorite features of the town. It’s a peaceful natural spring surrounded by historic and stately Victorian mansions- but wait, I’m getting ahead of myself. Back to the Ormonds. They apparently liked the shores of the spring too- because they built a cabin on it’s shores and stayed forever.
A year after they settled on the Bayou another settler arrived, this was Joshua Boyer. He apparently liked the Spring too, because he married Mary, built his own cabin, and stayed forever. In the 1880’s the railroad came to the west coast of Florida courtesy of H.B. Plant, the railroad tycoon. My mother’s family arrived in Florida at this time too- my ancestors worked for Mr. Plant. Anyway, Tarpon Springs received it’s official name when Mary named it after the giant Tarpon that swam in the spring. And a few years later it was linked up to Plant’s railroad and the boom was on.
The boom came in the form of wealthy Northerners who were attracted to the supposed healing waters of the Spring. They built sprawling Victorian mansions along the shores of the spring. Today the area is known as the Golden Crescent, and trust me it lives up to its name.
And then came the Greeks
Around the turn of the century (and that’s the 19th to the 20th) Greek immigrants began to arrive in the area, attracted by the sponges in the Gulf. They came to dive for the sponges, just like they did back in Greece. For a time sponges actually outnumbered oranges in exports from the states. The sponge divers of course brought their families and friends and soon a vibrant Greek community was thriving in Tarpon Springs. When you visit today the Greek influence on the town is the first thing you’ll notice.
What to do
When you first arrive in town take a walk along the sponge docks. If you get there in the morning you might see the sponge boats unloading their haul of sponges. Yes, there are still sponge boats in town and yes, they still harvest sponges from the Gulf, but on a much much smaller scale, and with protections in place for the sponges. If you grew up in a coastal area the smells and sights of the docks will make you feel right at home. Take some pictures of the sponge boats and listen for voices of the spongers speaking in Greek. All around the docks are Greek restaurants, shops, and touristy things to do.
My favorite shop is a soap-maker called Get Your Own Guru. The business is family owned and dates back to the 1930’s. It has a bohemian vibe and smells like a natural beauty products heaven! If you don’t like Greek food you’ll have a hard time finding a place to eat. But, if you do you will have your pick of places. The most famous Greek restaurant in town is Hellas, located right across the street from the sponge docks. I’ve eaten there a few times and it’s delicious! On my most recent trip we tried out Costa’s, which off the main drag on a quieter little street. I had a yummy gyro platter for lunch. Across the street is a little Greek bakery, where I picked up some pastry wrapped hot dogs for my boys to enjoy later on in the day.
In the center of town is Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, which is feast for the eyes with it’s beauty. I’ve always loved the look of Greek Orthodox Churches, and this one is a gem. The streets around the Cathedral are less populated with tourists. The businesses in this area cater more to the locals. You’ll find antique shops, gift shops, consignment shops, and a quieter restaurants than in the tourist area.
On my trip to Tarpon Springs I thought it was only fitting to wear my Elina Linardaki sandals. The sandals are handmade in Greece and express an elegant, bohemian, beachy, vibe in one look. They are quite literally the perfect shoes for any girl who loves fashion, travel, culture, and loves to look elegant!
I paired my sandals with a simple red t-shirt and a pair of jean shorts. I wanted my outfit to be simple, so as not to distract from the sandals.
** This post was originally written in the summer of 2020.
