The City of Clearwater was chartered as a municipality on May 27, 1915 and will have a centennial celebration in 2015. To get everyone to start thinking about the centennial, the city is posting a countdown clock on its website, myclearwater.com and unveiling the centennial logo designed by Michael O’Connell. The logo depicts the Pinellas County Courthouse, Capitol Theatre, Water’s Edge condominium, and the Memorial Causeway Bridge.
Here are some facts from Clearwater’s history:
- Clearwater was discovered by Spanish explorer Panfilo de Narvaez when he entered Clear Water Harbor with 600 soldiers and 5 ships on April 15, 1528.
- The native Timucuan Indians of the area called it “Pocotopaug” meaning “Clear Water.”
- In the 1880s, Clearwater got its first hotel, the Orange Bluff Hotel. It was destroyed by fire within a few years. The Sea View Hotel was built shortly thereafter near the site of the current Main Library.
- On Jan. 19, 1895 – Clearwater became one word.
- Clearwater was known as “Clearwater Harbor” until February 28th, 1906 when the word harbor was dropped.
- In 1959 the city’s Sister City relationship with Nagano, Japan began.
- In October of 1983 Ruth Eckerd Hall opened in Clearwater.
- 1998 Clearwater’s area code was changed from 813 to 727.
Much more to come from Clearwater as they celebrate in the upcoming year!
Photo credit: Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater
Carlos Travels 