Tarpon Springs in Pinellas County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Greektown Historic District
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 12, 2022
1. Greektown Historic District Marker Side 1
In 2014, Tarpon Springs' Greektown was listed as a Historic District and Traditional Cultural Property on the National Register of Historic Places for its unique ethnic heritage and maritime character. Greektown is bounded by the Anclote River on the north, Tarpon Avenue and Spring Bayou on the south, Hibiscus Street and Pinellas Avenue on the east, and Roosevelt and Grand Boulevards on the west. In the early 20th century, Greek immigrants greatly expanded and changed Florida's sponge industry. In the late 19 century, black and white Americans, Bahamians, and Conchs worked in Tarpon Springs' new sponge industry. In 1905, Greeks introduced sponge diving technology to Tarpon Springs. Crews from the Dodecanese islands of Kalymnos, Halki, and Symi, and Sardonic Gulf islands of Aegina and Hydra learned about opportunities, and by the end of the year 500 men arrived. Within a few years, 100 sponge boats and up to 1,000 Greeks worked in Florida waters or related maritime businesses. Using both deep-sea diving and hooking techniques on boats with sails and engines, they revolutionized the business. Sponges were Florida’s most
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The influx of Greek immigrants changed Tarpon Springs forever. From 1905 to 1940, Greeks constituted the numerically dominant cultural group in Tarpon Springs. They establish Greektown, with residences, stores, churches, restaurants, coffee houses, and recreational facilities eventually stretching from the sponge docks to the city center. Since Greeks came to Tarpon Springs in relatively large numbers, they maintained an unusually large portion of their culture. After World War II, the sponge industry declined due to a massive sponge blight and many residents sought other employment. Today, Greektown residents remain predominantly Greek American. Their cultural identity is reflected in their occupations, language, foodways, buildings, religious practices, music, and dance. The district includes a wide variety of vernacular buildings, such as St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, St. Michael’s shrine, the Sponge Exchange and Sponge Docks, businesses and residences, as well as commercial industrial sponge packing warehouses that proliferated in the early
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 12, 2022
2. Greektown Historic District Marker Side 2
A Florida Heritage Site
Erected 2021 by The City of Taropn Springs, Pinellas County and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-1141.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Immigration • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.
Location. 28° 9.291′ N, 82° 45.629′ W. Marker is in Tarpon Springs, Florida, in Pinellas County. It is at the intersection of Cross Street and Athens Street, on the right when traveling north on Cross Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 531 Athens Street, Tarpon Springs FL 34689, 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
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 12, 2022
3. Greektown Historic District Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 42 Ft. Sponge Diving Boat (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Nicholas Boat Line (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tarpon Springs Sponge Industry (about 400 feet away); Unitarian Universalist Church of Tarpon Springs (approx. 0.4 miles away); Anson P.K. Safford House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hennig House (approx. half a mile away); Old Tarpon Springs High School (approx. half a mile away); Craig Park War Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tarpon Springs.
Also see . . . Greektown Historic District. (Submitted on January 30, 2023, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 29, 2023, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,020 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 29, 2023, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 2, 3. submitted on January 30, 2023, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.
