Safety Harbor in Pinellas County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
MISSING
SEE LOCATION SECTION
Espiritu Santo Springs
Where Healing Waters Flow
Photographed By AGS Media, July 9, 2011
1. Espiritu Santo Springs Marker
Inscription.
Espiritu Santo Springs. Where Healing Waters Flow. , 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.,
Florida Heritage Landmark. . This historical marker was erected in 1998 by the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa and Florida Department of State, Sandra B. Mortham, Secretary of State. It is in Safety Harbor in Pinellas County Florida
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.
Florida Heritage Landmark
Erected 1998 by the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa and Florida Department of State, Sandra B. Mortham, Secretary of State
Click or scan to see this page online
. (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. Marker is missing. It was located near 27° 59.458′ N, 82° 41.258′ W. Marker was in Safety Harbor, Florida, in Pinellas County. Marker was on North Bayshore Drive east of Phillippe Parkway, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 105 North Bayshore Drive, Safety Harbor FL 34695, United States of America. Touch for directions.
sectionhead>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 the Florida Historical Marker Program logo.
Photographed By AGS Media, July 9, 2011
3. Espiritu Santo Springs Marker
Outside the entrance of the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa
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 city incorporated in 1917. The resort entrance is in the distance on the right.
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 3,633 times since then and 876 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.
