My RVing friend, Cindy, and I made a day trip to Tarpon Springs while at the get-together at Hillsborough River state Park. Tarpon Springs was first established as a winter resort community in the 1880s. But soon it was discovered that money could be made by harvesting sponges found in the waters of the Gulf.
By 1890, the sponge industry was firmly established as the most important industry in Tarpon Springs. Experienced divers from Greece were brought here. By using rubberized diving suits and helmets, they increased harvests.
By 1905, 500 Greek sponge divers were at work using 50 boats. Today, Tarpon Springs has the highest percentage of Greek Americans of any city in the US.
Cindy and I took a walk around town. There are lots of restaurants...specializing in seafood and/or Greek fare.
Very quickly we noticed decorated bicycles all over town. I found out (via Google) that they are all the creation of one artist who lives on a houseboat. His name is Warren Gregory, and he began mysteriously placing his bicycle art on the streets of Tarpon Springs in 2015.
I liked the Smiley Face done is sponges on the side of one shop.
As we walked down a couple of side streets we began to see more of the Greek influence in the city. This mural is on the side of a Greek bakery.
It sure smelled good!
Many of the 100+ year-old brick streets can still be walked in the historic district.
We came upon Saint Michael Shrine on one of those streets.
There is a long and interesting history of the building of the Shrine, relating to an historic icon found in Greece and miracles that are said to have occurred. Here is a link to the story if you are interested: http://stmichaelacademy.org/theo/shrine.html
We passed many old homes that reflect the grander of the wealthy who came here to escape the harsh northern winters.
One such home, the Victorian style Safford House, Circa 1883, is now a museum.
We wanted to take a tour, but alas, it was closed, so all we could do is peek in a window.
I could see a downstairs parlor and dining room. The original owner was Anson Safford who had an interesting life as Territorial Governor of Arizona for one thing. You can read about him here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anson_P._K._Safford
Another grand home.
We walked along Spring Bayou, site of the first settlement.
Now a lovely park.
Spring Bayou
Another stately home facing the bayou.
The Heritage Museum was also closed. I'll have to come back on a Wednesday or Friday, I guess.
Walking back to the Sponge Dock we passed an old Warehouse.
And here's a home for sale. It has murals painted on the walls.
Back to the main business district.
Walking along the sponge dock...
A memorial to the original sponge divers.
The bike artist left a sponge bike here.
Lots of tourists come here to see the sponges and eat in the restaurants.
I've never thought about decorating the top of my car like this...
After eating some Greek cuisine for lunch, we decided to take this boat tour which includes a sponge-diving exhibition.
Watching other tourists while we wait at the dock.
This is a real sponge boat with a full load of sponges.
Here comes our tour boat!
The captain tells us about the different kinds of sponges and how they live and grow in the gulf. They are marine animals, but must attach themselves to limestone or another hard surface.
Our sponge diver stands while the captain explains the details of the dive suit and its weight. They shoes weigh 50 pounds, and along with other weights allow the diver to stand and walk on the bottom.
Our boat passed some more beautiful homes.
We came to this preserve which is where they are allowed to dive for the demonstration.
Time for our diver to get ready. There's his helmet with the air hose.
The crew is adding more weight to the suit.
On goes the helmet.
And it is sealed.
Ready to drop into the water.
We watch his trail of air bubbles as he goes in search of a sponge.
And he has a small sponge.
Next the crew pulls him in.
He climbs a ladder and then is assisted over the gunnel.
Letting water out of his boots. He says the water is cold. Earlier I was worried about the suit being too hot in the Florida sun.
A living sponge. The outside gel coating is removed before the sponge is dried.
Before we went home, we stopped in another Greek bakery.
We bought some pastries to take back to the others.
And shared them around the campfire that night.
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