Safety Harbor in Pinellas County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Espiritu Santo Springs
Where Healing Waters Flow
Photographed By AGS Media, July 9, 2011
1. Espiritu Santo Springs Marker
On May 18, 1539, Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto reached the shores of what is now Tampa Bay, landing near these mineral springs used by the native population for nearly 10,000 years. Believing he had found the legendary Fountain of Youth somehow missed by Ponce de Leon, de Soto established a camp here, naming the crystal waters Espiritu Santo Springs - "Springs of the Holy Spirit."
Each of the five springs located on this site was identified and said to cure certain ailments, a claim drawing thousands of visitors yearly to the "Health Giving City" of Safety Harbor.
The Safety Harbor Sanitorium opened its doors in 1926, offering porcelain bath tubs and a large swimming pool for "taking the waters". In 1945 the springs and sanitorium were sold to Dr. Salem H. Baranoff, who opened the facility as a health spa.
Today the springs continue to attract health-conscious travelers.
Erected 1998 by the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa and Florida Department of State, Sandra B. Mortham, Secretary of State. (Marker Number F-381.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • Science & Medicine. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1890.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Safety Harbor Historical Site: St. James Hotel (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); “The Baranoff Oak” (about 400 feet away); Safety Harbor Historical Site: Baranoff Oak Tree (about 500 feet away); Safety Harbor Historical Site: First Town Hall (about 500 feet away); Safety Harbor Historical Event: Peace Treaty Between the Tocobaga and the Calusa (about 700 feet away); Safety Harbor Historical Site: Tucker Mansion (about 800 feet away); Safety Harbor Historical Site: Native American Burial Mound (approx. 0.2 miles away); Safety Harbor Historical Site: 136 4th Ave. N. Safety Harbor: "The 1908 Gingerbread House" (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Safety Harbor.
More about this marker. The marker stands outside the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa, just to the left of the main entrance area, across from the valet parking lot.
The marker is capped with
Photographed By AGS Media, July 9, 2011
2. Espiritu Santo Springs Marker
Photographed By AGS Media, July 9, 2011
3. Espiritu Santo Springs Marker
Photographed By Dave W, February 11, 2023
4. Espiritu Santo Springs Marker (missing)
Pole can be seen between light and spa entrance. Marker missing.
Photographed By AGS Media, July 9, 2011
5. Safety Harbor Resort and Spa
Photographed By AGS Media, July 9, 2011
6. Safety Harbor
The resort entrance is in the distance on the right.
circa 1937
7. Interior View Espiritu Santo Springs -- "Where Healing Waters Flow"
At Florida's First Spa - Safety Harbor, Florida
Credits. This page was last revised on February 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. This page has been viewed 3,960 times since then and 270 times this year. Last updated on February 17, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 10, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. 4. submitted on February 17, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. 5, 6. submitted on July 10, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. 7. submitted on October 30, 2015. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
