Downtown Clearwater

Clearwater's history begins with the Tocobaga people, who were the original inhabitants of this coastal region. The area's transformation started in 1841 when Fort Harrison was built on the banks of Clear Water Harbor to provide recuperation for 500 soldiers following the Seminole Indian Wars. Though the fort was abandoned after just six months, it marked the beginning of permanent settlement in the region.

The community took its evocative name from the clear freshwater springs that once bubbled up offshore and flowed near what is now the old City Hall building. Under the Federal Armed Occupation Act of 1842, which granted 160 acres to any man over 18 willing to bear arms and cultivate the land, pioneering families began claiming large tracts. James Stevens, Samuel Stevenson, and the McMullen brothers were among the early settlers who established the foundation for what would become Clearwater.

Agriculture flourished in the area, with Odet Philippe, a former surgeon in Napoleon's navy, planting some of the region's first citrus groves in the mid-1830s. The citrus industry would become a cornerstone of the local economy, with noted growers eventually constructing substantial buildings that defined the early downtown landscape.

The arrival of Peter Demens' Orange Belt Railroad in 1888 transformed Clearwater from a small farming and fishing settlement into a burgeoning town. This first passenger railroad line connected Clearwater to the wider world and sparked tourism development that would define the city's future. The town was initially incorporated in 1891 with James E. Crane as its first mayor, then reincorporated as a city on May 27, 1915.

Clearwater's political importance grew significantly in 1912 when Pinellas County separated from Hillsborough County, and Clearwater was designated as the new county seat. This status brought government offices, courts, and administrative functions that helped establish downtown as the region's civic and commercial center.

The city's transformation into a major tourism destination accelerated in 1947 when the Philadelphia Phillies chose Clearwater as their spring training home, creating the second-longest affiliation between a major league club and its spring training city in baseball history. BayCare Ballpark, opened in 2004, now hosts both spring training and the Low-A Clearwater Threshers, bringing thousands of visitors annually.

Today's Clearwater balances its role as Pinellas County seat with its identity as a premier Gulf Coast destination. Downtown has undergone major redevelopment in recent years, featuring high-rise condominiums, modern marinas, and beautification projects that complement the area's natural beauty. With its clear springs heritage, railroad legacy, and status as both a government center and tourism hub, Clearwater continues to live up to its name as a clear choice for residents and visitors alike.