History of Clearwater FL | Clearwater FL Real Estate

The history of Clearwater FL real estate is entwined with explorers, wars, booms and busts.

Originally the home of the Tocobaga Indians, the area was explored by the Spanish including Padilo de Narvaez, Hernando deSoto and Pedro Menendez.

Menendez arrived in 1567 searching for a route across Florida and establish missions. One of them was established at Safety Harbor (homeof the world famous Safety Harbor Resort and Spa). The missionaries later died in battle with the natives. White settlers did not return to this area until the 1800s.

The first settlements were built along the high bluff overlooking Clearwater Harbor on the western side of present day downtown. Early settlers called it Clear Water Harbor, perhaps because of the freshwater springs in and near the water. It was known by that name until 1895 when Clearwater became one word. Harbor was dropped in 1906.

Clearwater FL real estate growth began during the Federal Armed Occupation Act of 1842, which gave 160 acres to any head of family or single man over 18 who would bear arms and cultivate the land. Most settlers farmed vegetables and cotton. Fish were plentiful. A hurricane in 1846 and a vicious storm in 1848 were among the hardships the locals had to endure. The first newspaper, The Clear Water Times, was established by the Rev. C.S. Reynolds.

When the first railroad was built in 1888, the Clear Water Harbor community had about 18 families. Henry Plant, the foremost Central and West Florida real estate developer of the time, later built a standard gauge railroad through Pinellas County. To boost his passenger business, he built several grand resort hotels, including the iconic, sprawling Belleview Biltmore in 1897.

Clearwater grew steadily throughout the early part of the century. Tourists and settlers were drawn to the area because of the climate and advertising by early developers and speculators. The Florida real estate boom began in earnest in 1921 and peaked in 1925, but fell again at the onset of the Great Depression.

The city of Clearwater was incorporated on May 27, 1915. The library was built in 1916 with a grant from Andrew Carnegie. In the same year, the city built the first wooden bridge to Clearwater Beach, opening it up for development. Morton F. Plant, the son of the illustrious Henry Plant, donated and raised money for the first hospital in 1914.

During World War II, Clearwater became a major training base for US troops destined for Europe and the Pacific. Virtually every hotel in the area, including the Belleview Biltmore and the Fort Harrison Hotel, was used as a barracks for new recruits. Vehicle traffic was regularly stopped for companies of soldiers marching through downtown, and nighttime blackouts to confuse potential enemy bombers were common practice. What is now Sand Key was used as a target by U.S. Army Air Corps fighter-bombers for strafing and bombing practice.

After World War II, a number of soldiers who had trained there returned to live. The Philadelphia Phillies professional baseball team began spring training in the 1940s. From 1950, with 15,000 residents, the population continued to flouish until it reached its present level of 109,000.

Clearater’s history is just one thing that draws visitors and residents. It is still the land of clear water, beautiful beaches and amenities galore. Looking for CLearwater FL real estate? Call Julia and Matt Fishel today at 727-366-0324!

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