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

Bahia Espiritu Santo Mission

Photographed by AGS Media, August 19, 2011

1. Bahia Espiritu Santo Mission Marker

Inscription. Menendez, Spanish Governor of Florida, after building fort at St. Augustine (1565) came to this site in 1567 and persuaded the Indian Chief Tocobago and his 1500 braves who lived here, to accept Christianity. Menendez erected a blockhouse for a Mission used by Jesuit Priest, Father Rogel, and 30 soldiers.

Later, during Rogel's absence, the Indians massacred all but three soldiers, and these were killed when Rogel's ship appeared in the bay. The Mission was abandoned in 1568.

This commemorative plaque erected by Florida Society Colonial Dames XVII Century.
January 14, 1961

Erected 1961 by Florida Society Colonial Dames XVII Century.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1861.

Location. 28° 0.605′ N, 82° 40.788′ W. Marker is in Safety Harbor, Florida, in Pinellas County. It can be reached from Phillipe Park Drive east of Philippe Parkway, on the left when traveling south. The marker is on the grounds of Philippe Park, a Pinellas County park. Touch for map.

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Marker is at or near this postal address: 2525 Philippe Parkway, 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Spanish Garrison-Mission at Philippe Park (a few steps from this marker); Tocobaga Temple Mound (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Safety Harbor Site (about 800 feet away); Philippe Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Odet Philippe (approx. 0.2 miles away); Espiritu Santo Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Safety Harbor Historical Site: Tucker Mansion (approx. 1.3 miles away); Safety Harbor Historical Event: Peace Treaty Between the Tocobaga and the Calusa

Photographed by AGS Media, August 19, 2011

2. Bahia Espiritu Santo Mission Marker

The marker is located on the grounds of Philippe Park. The bright area to the right in the distance is the bay.

(approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Safety Harbor.

More about this marker. The marker is capped with the logo of the Colonial Dames XVII Century.

Regarding Bahia Espiritu Santo Mission. "Bahia Espiritu Santo" was the original name given to Tampa Bay by Spanish explorers.

The "Bahia Espiritu Santo" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by AGS Media, August 19, 2011

3. The "Bahia Espiritu Santo"

Philippe Park is situated along this alcove of Tampa Bay. Safety Harbor is used to refer to this area of water, as well as the city of Safety Harbor.

Philippe Park Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by AGS Media, August 19, 2011

4. Philippe Park Entrance

Acquired by Pinellas County in 1948, it is the county's oldest park, and the location of several historical markers.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,996 times since then and 89 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 30, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.