Downtown Dunedin

Dunedin's story begins in 1850 when Richard L. Garrison received the first land grant in the area. Initially called "Jonesboro" after George Jones, who owned the local mercantile, this coastal settlement would soon undergo a transformation that would give it a unique identity among Florida's cities.

The turning point came in 1885 when two Scottish merchants, John O. Douglas and James Somerville, arrived from Edinburgh and opened a store in the small settlement. When they petitioned for the area's first post office in northern Pinellas County, they chose to rename the community "Dunedin," the Scottish Gaelic name for their hometown of Edinburgh, meaning "fort on the hill."

The arrival of the Orange Belt Railway in 1888 marked the beginning of Dunedin's growth as a major trading center. As the first railroad in Pinellas County, it connected central Florida with St. Petersburg and transformed Dunedin into one of Florida's chief seaports. With a dock built to accommodate larger sailing vessels, the city once boasted the largest fleet of sailing vessels in the entire state.

Dunedin's incorporation in 1899 came with a touch of humor - the "Town of Dunedin" was established primarily to address complaints about pigs running rampant through the settlement. This led to a livestock ban within city limits that remains in effect today. The community was later reincorporated as the "City of Dunedin" in 1926.

The early 20th century brought prosperity through citrus farming, with orange groves flourishing in the favorable climate. The Scottish heritage remained strong, and the community maintained its unique cultural identity even as it grew. Downtown developed as a charming business district, notable for its absence of large commercial signage and corporate chains, preserving its small-town character.

In 1977, Dunedin gained national recognition when it became the spring training home of the Toronto Blue Jays. TD Ballpark, located on Douglas Avenue, hosts both major league spring training and the class-A Dunedin Blue Jays of the Florida State League, bringing thousands of baseball fans to the city each year.

Today, Dunedin celebrates its Scottish heritage through the annual Highland Games & Festival, now in its 57th year, featuring traditional athletic competitions, pipe bands, and Highland dancing. The Pinellas Trail bisects downtown, creating a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly environment that connects the community. With its blend of Scottish culture, spring training baseball, and coastal charm, Dunedin remains a unique jewel on Florida's Gulf Coast.