Introducing Clearwater :
- Located In: Pinellas County
- Population: 108,787 (Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2000 Census)
- Community Type: Residential and business
- Size: 25.77 square miles
- Government: Commission and city manager/mayor and four commissioners elected for three year staggered terms.
History of Clearwater:
The area was settled in the mid-1830s around the time the government built Fort Harrison as a rehabilitation center for soldiers participating in the Seminole Indian Wars. The Federal Armed Occupation Act, 1842, provided 160 acres to any head of family or unmarried man, aged 18 or older, who would cultivate the land. Early settlers included Samuel Stevenson and James Parramore McMullen.
By the time the first railroad was built in 1888, the Clear Water Harbor community numbered 18 families. In 1912, Pinellas County was created and Clearwater became the county seat. The city was incorporated on May 27, 1915.
Things To Do In Clearwater:
Attracting a wide variety of performing artists is Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 N. McMullen Booth Road. Seating more than 2,100, the venue hosts frequent concerts, recitals, plays and special events.
Clearwater’s theater community includes Francis Wilson Playhouse, 302 Seminole St.; and the Early Bird Dinner Theatre, 200 S. McMullen-Booth Road.
Clearwater sponsors a number of annual festivals and events, including:
- Clearwater Jazz Holiday
- Imagine International Film Festival
- Fun N Sun Festival
- Hispanic Heritage Festival
- Clearwater Sea Blues Festival
Dining In Clearwater:
There are literally dozens of great places to find a good meal in Clearwater, ranging from cozy home-style diners to upscale epicurean establishments. A few favorites with the locals include the following:
- Alfano's Restaurant, 1702 Clearwater-Largo Road
- Arigato, 26508 U.S. 19 N.
- Columbia Restaurant, 1241 Gulf Blvd.
- Frenchy's Rockaway Grill, 7 Rockaway St.
- O’Keefe's Family Tavern & Grill, 1219 S. Fort Harrison Ave.
- Smokey Bones, 2693 Gulf To Bay Blvd.
- Thai Coconut, 1280 S. Missouri Ave.
- Thai Basil, 4445 East Bay Drive
Shopping In Clearwater:
Westfield Countryside Mall, at 27001 U.S. Highway 19 N., is anchored by several department stores such as Sears, Dillard's, JCPenny and Macy's. The mall also boasts stores like Bond Jewelers, Country Cabin, FYE, Gap, Gordon Jewelers, Spencer Gifts, Things Remembered and Yankee Candle.
A Target Superstore, Costco, Barnes and Noble and Ross are among stores found at Clearwater Mall, 20505 U.S. 19 N.
Northwood Plaza, 2558 McMullen Booth Road, features a unique collection of specialty shops, boutiques and restaurants.
What Makes Clearwater Special:
Clearwater is the county seat and the second largest city in Pinellas County. From an active arts community to award-winning beaches, the city symbolizes everything that is appealing about the Tampa Bay area. It is no wonder that Clearwater continues to be a popular vacation destination.
Clearwater is home to an active theater community. Each year, a number of musical, comedy and drama productions are presented by Francis Wilson Playhouse. The playhouse, built in 1930, is the successor to the Clearwater Players. The 182-seat theater welcomes around 14,000 audience members each year.
Those interested in combining dinner and a show enjoy the Early Bird Dinner Theatre. This live, professional theater has been entertaining Clearwater since 1989.
Each October, the city sponsors its showcase event: the Clearwater Jazz Holiday. The annual event got its start in the back of a flatbed truck as a 10-day traveling series of jazz concerts. Now considered one of the great musical festivals in the world, the event lays claim to an impressive record of featured artists including Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Mann, Dave Brubeck, Tito Puente, Stephan Grappelli, Stan Getz, and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.
Clearwater’s miles of soft white sand beaches consistently rank among the best in the nation. In the mood for beachcombing, sunbathing or a swim in the Gulf of Mexico? Check out one of Clearwater’s beaches:
- Clearwater Beach – Accessible by traveling west on U.S. Highway 60. Rated the Best City Beach on the Gulf of Mexico, Clearwater Beach is a great place for swimming, volleyball or fishing from Pier 60. Beach Guards are on duty from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- North Clearwater Beach – Found north of Memorial Causeway on Mandalay Avenue. North Clearwater Beach offers swimming and picnic areas, beach showers and an old fishing pier for observation.
- Sand Key Beach – Located south of the Clearwater Pass Bridge off Gulf Boulevard, this 65-acre park has been rated one of the top 14 beaches in the country. Sand Key Beach has swimming and picnic areas, beach showers, playground and a special enclosed play area for dogs.