Palm Harbor is a census-designated area in Pinellas County, Florida. Located 35 miles north of downtown St. Petersburg and west of Tampa, Palm Harbor is an unincorporated community that is best known for the championship golfing at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club.
The Palm Harbor community has a total area of 26.6 miles and is unique as it is a hilly location, which is rare in Florida. Visitors enjoy Palm Harbor for the beautiful resorts and parks in addition to the many other attractions, including many festivals and craft fairs. The historic downtown district of Palm Harbor provides tourists with the ultimate visitor experience, coaxing them to stay a while.
History
J.C. Craver was the first Northerner to establish a settlement in this portion of Hillsborough County, and according to his journal, he arrived on the property during the winter of 1877. The earliest written record of the community goes back to 1878 when a post office commission was granted under the name of Bay St. Joseph. This name was used for a short time before it was changed to Yellow Bluff. The new name did not last very long either as it had a negative connotation associated with the yellow fever epidemic. The name "Sutherland" was used as its replacement. During this time, the community was known for having two large hotels, one of which became Southern College in 1902. The name Sutherland was said to have been derived from the Duke of Sutherland. Records show that he visited the community after landing at Tarpon Springs in 1887. However, local pioneers contest this story, claiming that the name Sutherland was a shortening of Southern Land and Development Company. The name was later changed to Palm Harbor in 1925.
Cultural Sightings
Palm Harbor is a destination spot for those who visit Tampa, Florida. Visitors enjoy strolling down Florida Avenue in historic downtown Palm Harbor, viewing many of the historic building as they go dining, shopping or spend a day at the spa. In the downtown area, visitors will also find the Greater Palm Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce. If people visit the community in April, they will be lucky to see the Annual Palm Harbor Citrus Festival, which takes place downtown every year.
Additionally, Palm Harbor Main Streets, Inc., a not-for-profit, hosts their main event every first Friday of the month, which people of all ages attend. This event has rides and games with opportunities to eat food from local restaurants; local artists also display their art at this event. During every first Sunday of October, Palm Harbor's Junior Women's Club hosts the "Taste of Palm Harbor" festival, offering live music and tastings from over 20 restaurants from the local area, predominantly seafood dishes. The proceeds from this festival go to the non-profit's "Making a Difference" grants and scholarships program.
Additional Recreation Activities
Community members of Palm Harbor can also enjoy the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club, a nationally-recognized golf course. We also have Community Services that manage several sports complexes in the community: Palm Field, Steve Putnam Park, and Sunderman Recreation Complex. The District's parks and recreation department currently manages the community activity center. Since 2004, the facility has provided programming beyond senior recreation, including youth, teen, adult, and youth summer camp activities. Palm Harbor also has the White Chapel, a historic facility that was recently restored. This space hosts many weddings, banquets and community special events, such as galas and fundraisers. In addition, there is a banquet facility next door to the White Chapel, which also provides recreational space for special events.
If you love sports and outdoors, then Palm Harbor is a great place to visit. Whether you would like to ride your bike, walk up a trail, skate for fun or just enjoy the beautiful green scenery for the ambiance, Palm Harbor can provide you with a truly breathtaking experience. Even new and seasoned fisherman can choose the Gulf of Mexico or Lake Tarpon to fish. The location is ideal as it is the halfway point to the land, but it is still close enough to city attractions of the Tampa Bay area. As we maintain the charm as a quaint community, full of diversity as well as various forms of entertainment for residents and visitors alike, Palm Harbor continues to flourish.
For those who are interested in becoming permanent residents of Palm Harbor, there is so much to look forward to starting with your home. Whether you are relocating with your family or finding a new spot to retire, a home with a beautiful backyard may be the next best step for you. If you have a garden, do not hesitate to contact Lawn Love for your various lawn needs.
