Safety Harbor in Pinellas County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Safety Harbor Historical Site: Lover's Oak

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, June 15, 2019

1. Safety Harbor Historical Site: Lover's Oak Marker

Inscription. Lover's Oak is a grand live oak tree believed to be more than 200 years old. This tree was a favorite meeting place for many of Safety Harbor's young people and picnic groups from the 1890s to the 1950s. This stately oak tree once had a large lower limb that formed a seat where the young women would sit as they were being courted by their boyfriends. Many couples of that era also carved their initials into the bark of the tree which became affectionately known by the people of Safety Harbor as "Lover's Oak."

One of the several original Tocobaga shell mounds that existed in Safety Harbor existed here at Lover's Oak. This is believed to be the southernmost location of the Tocobaga settlement in Safety Harbor. The northernmost location of Safety Harbor's shell mounds still exists in Phillippe Park. In approximately 1905, the shells from Lover's Oak and many other mounds were removed and used to build roads in Pinellas County.

Erected by Safety Harbor Museum & Cultural Center and Safety Harbor Museum of Regional History & Historical Societ.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry

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• Indigenous Peoples and Communities.

Location. 27° 59.257′ N, 82° 41.431′ W. Marker is in Safety Harbor, Florida, in Pinellas County. It is at the intersection of South Bayshore Boulevard and 5th Street South, on the right when traveling south on South Bayshore Boulevard. Marker is mounted along the fence with the Oak to the west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Safety Harbor FL 34695, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast

and on Tampa Bay.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Safety Harbor Historical Site: Native American Burial Mound (about 500 feet away, measured

Safety Harbor Historical Site: Lover's Oak Marker with oak in the background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, June 15, 2019

2. Safety Harbor Historical Site: Lover's Oak Marker with oak in the background

in a direct line); Safety Harbor Historical Site: Safety Harbor Log Cabin (approx. 0.2 miles away); Safety Harbor Historical Site: Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Safety Harbor Historical Site: First Town Hall (approx. ¼ mile away); Safety Harbor Historical Site: The Hotel Frances (approx. ¼ mile away); Safety Harbor Historical Site: St. James Hotel (approx. ¼ mile away); Safety Harbor Herald (approx. ¼ mile away); Safety Harbor Historical Site: 135 4th Avenue North (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Safety Harbor.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 23, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 880 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 21, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.