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

Safety Harbor Historical Site: Tucker Mansion

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, June 2, 2018

1. Safety Harbor Historical Site: Tucker Mansion Marker

Inscription. The Tucker Mansion, a Colonial Revival style mansion, was built in 1923 during the Florida Land Boom by Virginia Hernandez (Bailey) Tucker (1844-1931). Virginia Tucker was the daughter of William James Bailey, a colonel during the Second Seminole War who was stationed at nearby Fort Brooke (Tampa). In 1855, Colonel Bailey purchased the land and springs where Safety Harbor Resort and Spa is located and made the waters available for public use.

In November 1864, Virginia Bailey married Captain James Felix Tucker (1840-1913), a disabled confederate veteran of the Civil War. After the death of Colonel Bailey, Captain Tucker converted the springs into a viable commercial facility through additional construction. He increased promotional efforts of the current Safety Harbor Resort and Spa until his death in 1913. Virginia Tucker managed the springs for several years before eventually selling her interest in the springs.

The mansion was modeled after the Bailey family's Virginia plantation home, which in turn was modeled after their ancestral home in England. The mansion had a winding staircase and brass chandeliers, a parlor with sliding doors, and a breakfast room that seated fifteen. Upstairs bedrooms had private baths and fireplaces. The lawn was shaded by papaya and mango trees. The Tucker Mansion was the pride of Safety Harbor

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for many decades.

In 1999, the Safety Harbor City Commission designated the property a Local Historic Landmark.

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

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.

Location. 27° 59.569′ N, 82° 41.191′ W. Marker is in Safety Harbor, Florida, in Pinellas County. Marker is on North Bayshore Drive just north of Jefferson Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 311 North Bayshore Drive, Safety Harbor FL 34695, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Safety Harbor Historical Event: Peace Treaty Between the Tocobaga and the Calusa (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); “The Baranoff Oak” (approx. 0.2 miles away); Safety Harbor Historical Site: St. James Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Safety Harbor Historical Site: Baranoff Oak Tree (approx. 0.2 miles away); Safety Harbor Historical Site: First Town Hall (approx. ¼ mile away); Safety Harbor Historical Site: 136 4th Ave. N. Safety Harbor: "The 1908 Gingerbread House"

Safety Harbor Historical Site: Tucker Mansion and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, June 2, 2018

2. Safety Harbor Historical Site: Tucker Mansion and Marker

(approx. 0.3 miles away); Safety Harbor Historical Site: 135 4th Avenue North (approx. 0.3 miles away); Safety Harbor Historical Site: Native American Burial Mound (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Safety Harbor.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,700 times since then and 399 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 18, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.