Editing Tarpon Springs, Florida

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- Basic info  ---------------->
 | official_name            = City of Tarpon Springs
 | name                     = Tarpon Springs, Florida
 | other_name               = 
 | native_name              = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
 | nickname                 = 
 | settlement_type          = [[City (Florida)|City]]
 | motto                    = Visit Greece Without Leaving Florida
<!-- images and maps  ----------->
 | image_skyline            = Image:Dodecanese Avenue in Tarpon Springs.jpg
 | imagesize                = 
 | image_caption            = Dodecanese Avenue
 | image_flag               = 
 | flag_size                = 
 | image_seal               = 
 | seal_size                = 
 | image_shield             = 
 | shield_size              = 
 | image_blank_emblem       = 
 | blank_emblem_type        = 
 | blank_emblem_size        = 
 | image_map                = Pinellas_County_Florida_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Tarpon_Springs_Highlighted.svg
 | mapsize                  = 250x200px
 | map_caption              = Location in [[Pinellas County, Florida|Pinellas County]] and the state of [[Florida]]
 | image_map1               = 
 | mapsize1                 = 
 | map_caption1             = 
 | image_dot_map            = 
 | dot_mapsize              = 
 | dot_map_caption          = 
 | dot_x                    = 
 | dot_y                    = 
 | pushpin_map              = USA
 | pushpin_map_caption      = Location in the United States
<!-- Location ------------------>
 | subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
 | subdivision_name         = United States
 | subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
 | subdivision_name1        = [[Florida]]
 | subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Florida|County]]
 | subdivision_name2        = [[Pinellas County, Florida|Pinellas]]
 | subdivision_type3        = 
 | subdivision_name3        = 
 | subdivision_type4        = 
 | subdivision_name4        = 
<!-- Politics ----------------->
 | government_footnotes     = 
 | government_type          = [[Council–manager government|Commission–Manager]]
 | leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
 | leader_name              = Panagiotis Koulias (Interim)
 | leader_title1            = [[Vice Mayor]]
 | leader_name1             = John Koulianos
 | leader_title2            = 
 | leader_name2             = 
 | leader_title3            = 
 | leader_name3             = 
 | established_title        = [[Settler colonialism|Settled]]
 | established_date         = 1876
 | established_title2       = <!-- Incorporated (town) -->
 | established_date2        = 
 | established_title3       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated (city)]]
 | established_date3        = 1887<ref name=HistoricalSociety>{{Cite web|url=http://tarponspringsareahistoricalsociety.org/history.html|title=Tarpon Springs Area Historical Society–History|website=tarponspringsareahistoricalsociety.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411034630/http://tarponspringsareahistoricalsociety.org/History.html|archive-date=April 11, 2008|access-date=2016-07-08}}</ref>
<!-- Area    --------------------->
 | area_magnitude           = 
 | unit_pref                = Imperial
 | area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_12.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=December 2, 2021}}</ref>
 | area_total_km2           = 46.44
 | area_land_km2            = 23.98
 | area_water_km2           = 22.46
 | area_total_sq_mi         = 17.93
 | area_land_sq_mi          = 9.26
 | area_water_sq_mi         = 8.67
 | area_water_percent       = 
 | area_urban_km2           = 
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<!-- Population   ----------------------->
 | population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
 | population_footnotes     = 
 | population_note          = 
 | population_total         = 25117
 | population_density_km2   = 1047.31
 | population_density_sq_mi = 2712.42
 | population_metro         = 
 | population_density_metro_km2 = 
 | population_density_metro_sq_mi = 
 | population_urban         = 
 | population_density_urban_km2 = 
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 | population_blank1_title  = 
 | population_blank1        = 
 | population_density_blank1_km2 = 
 | population_density_blank1_sq_mi= 
<!-- General information  --------------->
 | timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
 | utc_offset               = -5
 | timezone_DST             = EDT
 | utc_offset_DST           = -4
 | coordinates              = {{coord|28|9|N|82|45|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
 | elevation_footnotes      = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags-->
 | elevation_m              = 7
 | elevation_ft             = 23
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
 | postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]s
 | postal_code              = 34688, 34689
 | area_code                = [[Area code 727|727]]
 | blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
 | blank_info               = 12-71150<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
 | blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
 | blank1_info              = 0292048<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|website=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref>
 | website                  = {{URL|www.ctsfl.us}}
 | footnotes                = 
 | pop_est_as_of            = 
 | pop_est_footnotes        = 
 | population_est           = 
}}

'''Tarpon Springs''' is a city in [[Pinellas County, Florida]], United States. Downtown Tarpon Springs has long been a focal point and underwent [[beautification]] in 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://suncoastpinellas.tbo.com/content/2010/apr/16/170000/pi-illuminating-change-coming-to-tarpon-downtown/|title=Illuminating change coming to Tarpon downtown|last=Geier|first=Rebekah|date=April 16, 2010|website=suncoastpinellas.tbo.com|publisher=Tampa Bay Online|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716194513/http://suncoastpinellas.tbo.com/content/2010/apr/16/170000/pi-illuminating-change-coming-to-tarpon-downtown/|archive-date=July 16, 2011|access-date=2016-07-08}}</ref> It is part of the [[Tampa Bay area]]. The population was 25,117 at the 2020 census.

As of 2000, Tarpon Springs had the highest percentage of [[Greek American]]s of any city in the US, with 10.4% of residents who had Greek ancestry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.epodunk.com/ancestry/Greek.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419163231/http://www.epodunk.com/ancestry/Greek.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2019-04-19|title=Greek Ancestry Search - Greek Genealogy by City - ePodunk.com|website=www.epodunk.com via [[Wayback Machine]]|access-date=2023-11-11}}</ref>

==History==
The region, with a series of [[bayou]]s feeding into the [[Gulf of Mexico]], was settled by farmers and fishermen<ref name="PhillyTrib20201117">{{cite news|surname=Guzzo|given=Paul|title=This teacher is adding Black cemeteries to history lessons|department=Across America|date=2020-11-16|newspaper=[[The Philadelphia Tribune]]|url=https://www.phillytrib.com/news/across_america/this-teacher-is-adding-black-cemeteries-to-history-lessons/article_ef2e5269-2988-5122-8e34-9002115f21bc.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119163518/https://www.phillytrib.com/news/across_america/this-teacher-is-adding-black-cemeteries-to-history-lessons/article_ef2e5269-2988-5122-8e34-9002115f21bc.html|archive-date=2020-11-19|url-status=live}}</ref> around 1876. Some of the newly arrived visitors spotted [[tarpon]] jumping out of the waters and so named the location Tarpon Springs. The name is said to have originated with a remark by an early settler who said, "See the tarpon spring!" (most fish splashing here were [[Mugil|mullet]]). In 1882, [[Hamilton Disston]], who in the previous year had purchased the land, ordered the creation of a town plan.<ref name=HistoricalSociety/> On February 12, 1887, Tarpon Springs became the first incorporated city in what is now Pinellas County.<ref name=HistoricalSociety/> Less than a year later on January 13, 1888, the [[Orange Belt Railway]], the first railroad line to be built in what is now Pinellas County, arrived in the city.<ref>[http://www.taplines.net/March/obstory1.htm Tap Lines – History of the Orange Belt Railway]</ref> During this time the area was developed as a wintering spot for wealthy northerners.

In the 1880s, [[John K. Cheyney]] founded the first local [[sponge]] business. The industry continued to grow in the 1890s. Many people from [[Key West]] and the [[Bahamas]] settled in Tarpon Springs to hook sponges and then process them. A few Greek immigrants also arrived in this city during the 1890s to work in the sponge industry.

In 1905, [[John Cocoris]] introduced the technique of [[sponge diving]] to Tarpon Springs by recruiting divers and crew members from Greece. The first divers came from the [[Saronic Gulf]] islands of [[Aegina]] and [[Hydra (island)|Hydra]], but they were soon outnumbered by those from the [[Dodecanese]] islands of [[Kalymnos]], [[Symi]] and [[Halki (Greece)|Halki]]. The sponge industry soon became one of the leading maritime industries in Florida and the most important business in Tarpon Springs, generating millions of dollars a year. The 1953 film ''[[Beneath the 12-Mile Reef]]'', depicting the sponge industry, takes place and was filmed in Tarpon Springs.<ref>{{cite news|last=Crowther|first=Bosley|title=Beneath the 12 Mile Reef|date=December 17, 1953|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?_r=2&res=9503E4DA173CE43ABC4F52DFB4678388649EDE&oref=slogin&oref=login  |access-date=2009-04-28}}</ref>

The city's Rose Cemetery, where Black residents are [[Burial|interred]], is believed to contain burials which began in the late 1800s; the earliest legible marked burial is from 1904.<ref name="PhillyTrib20201117"/> The cemetery contains the grave of Richard Quarls, a [[Confederate States Army#Using slaves as soldiers|Confederate veteran]] of the [[American Civil War]] who fought alongside his enslaver before moving to Tarpon Springs and choosing the new name "Christopher Columbus", and veterans of subsequent wars.<ref name="PhillyTrib20201117"/>

In 1947, a [[red tide]] algae bloom wiped out the sponge fields in the [[Gulf of Mexico]], causing many of the sponge boats and divers to switch to [[shrimping]] for their livelihood, while others left the business. Eventually, the sponges recovered, allowing for a smaller but consistent sponge industry today. In the 1980s, the sponge business experienced a boom due to a sponge disease that killed the Mediterranean sponges. There is still a small active sponge industry.

==Geography==

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city of Tarpon Springs has a total area of {{convert|16.9|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|9.1|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|7.7|sqmi|km2}} (45.83%) is water.

===Climate===

Tarpon Springs' climate borders on [[humid subtropical climate|humid subtropical]] and [[tropical savanna climate|tropical savanna]], with warm temperatures year-round, although winter nights are cool. Annual precipitation is around {{convert|50|in}}. Winters are warm, with daytime highs of {{convert|69|to|72|°F|0}}, and nightly lows of {{convert|50|to|54|°F|0}}. Freezing temperatures ({{convert|32|°F|0}} or lower) occur infrequently, while [[Snow in Florida|snowfall is extremely rare]]; there was accumulation in 1977 and 1989, while the years [[Great Blizzard of 1899|1899]], 1954, 1958, 1973, 2001, 2006, 2010, and 2014 either saw light snow mixed with rain, or flurries. The record low temperature of {{convert|19|°F|0}} was observed on four different dates: December 1, 1962, December 13, 1962, December 14, 1962, and January 13, 1985.
Summers are hot and very humid, causing frequent afternoon [[thunderstorms]] that can occasionally produce [[hail]], and, even [[tornado]]es or [[waterspout]]s off the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. Daytime temperatures usually range from {{convert|89|to|91|°F|0}}, with temperatures over {{convert|100|°F|0}} very rare. The record high temperature of {{convert|102|°F|0}} was observed on July 10, 1997. Spring and fall are generally warm.
{{Weather box|width=auto
|location = Tarpon Springs, Florida (Tarpon Springs Sewage Plant), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1892–present
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 90
|Feb record high F = 97
|Mar record high F = 92
|Apr record high F = 95
|May record high F = 100
|Jun record high F = 100
|Jul record high F = 102
|Aug record high F = 99
|Sep record high F = 99
|Oct record high F = 96
|Nov record high F = 93
|Dec record high F = 89
|year record high F =

|Jan avg record high F = 81.7
|Feb avg record high F = 82.5
|Mar avg record high F = 85.9
|Apr avg record high F = 89.4
|May avg record high F = 92.4
|Jun avg record high F = 94.8
|Jul avg record high F = 95.3
|Aug avg record high F = 95.3
|Sep avg record high F = 94.0
|Oct avg record high F = 90.5
|Nov avg record high F = 86.1
|Dec avg record high F = 82.4
|year avg record high F = 96.4

| Jan high F = 69.3
| Feb high F = 72.0
| Mar high F = 76.0
| Apr high F = 81.1
| May high F = 86.2
| Jun high F = 89.7
| Jul high F = 90.6
| Aug high F = 90.8
| Sep high F = 88.9
| Oct high F = 83.8
| Nov high F = 76.3
| Dec high F = 71.4
|year high F = 81.4
|Jan mean F = 60.0
|Feb mean F = 62.9
|Mar mean F = 66.8
|Apr mean F = 72.2
|May mean F = 77.6
|Jun mean F = 82.0
|Jul mean F = 83.1
|Aug mean F = 83.3
|Sep mean F = 81.3
|Oct mean F = 75.6
|Nov mean F = 67.5
|Dec mean F = 62.4
|year mean F = 72.9
| Jan low F = 50.7
| Feb low F = 53.8
| Mar low F = 57.6
| Apr low F = 63.2
| May low F = 69.1
| Jun low F = 74.4
| Jul low F = 75.6
| Aug low F = 75.7
| Sep low F = 73.6
| Oct low F = 67.3
| Nov low F = 58.6
| Dec low F = 53.5
|year low F = 64.4

|Jan avg record low F = 32.9
|Feb avg record low F = 36.9
|Mar avg record low F = 42.0
|Apr avg record low F = 50.1
|May avg record low F = 59.6
|Jun avg record low F = 68.4
|Jul avg record low F = 70.6
|Aug avg record low F = 71.9
|Sep avg record low F = 66.9
|Oct avg record low F = 53.3
|Nov avg record low F = 42.7
|Dec avg record low F = 37.2
|year avg record low F = 30.8

|Jan record low F = 19
|Feb record low F = 20
|Mar record low F = 23
|Apr record low F = 34
|May record low F = 45
|Jun record low F = 51
|Jul record low F = 62
|Aug record low F = 63
|Sep record low F = 53
|Oct record low F = 38
|Nov record low F = 26
|Dec record low F = 19
|year record low F =
|precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 3.03
| Feb precipitation inch = 2.51
| Mar precipitation inch = 3.08
| Apr precipitation inch = 2.69
| May precipitation inch = 2.35
| Jun precipitation inch = 7.06
| Jul precipitation inch = 9.05
| Aug precipitation inch = 9.66
| Sep precipitation inch = 7.03
| Oct precipitation inch = 3.19
| Nov precipitation inch = 1.90
| Dec precipitation inch = 2.74
|year precipitation inch = 54.29
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 9.0
| Feb precipitation days = 7.4
| Mar precipitation days = 7.6
| Apr precipitation days = 6.1
| May precipitation days = 6.2
| Jun precipitation days = 11.3
| Jul precipitation days = 15.7
| Aug precipitation days = 16.2
| Sep precipitation days = 12.7
| Oct precipitation days = 7.5
| Nov precipitation days = 5.6
| Dec precipitation days = 6.7
| year precipitation days = 112.0
|Jan snow inch =
|Feb snow inch =
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|Jun snow inch =
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|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days =
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|year snow days =
|source 1 = NOAA<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=tbw
| title = NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| accessdate = May 28, 2021
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00088824&format=pdf
| title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| accessdate = May 28, 2021
}}</ref> }}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 327
|1900= 541
|1910= 2212
|1920= 2105
|1930= 3414
|1940= 3402
|1950= 4323
|1960= 6768
|1970= 7118
|1980= 13251
|1990= 17906
|2000= 21003
|2010= 23484
|2020= 25117
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|website=www.census.gov|access-date=2016-07-08}}</ref>
}}

===2010 and 2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Tarpon Springs racial composition'''<br> (Hispanics excluded from racial categories)<br> (''NH = Non-Hispanic'')<br>
!Race
!Pop 2010<ref>{{Cite web|title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Tarpon Springs city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Tarpon+Springs+city;+Florida+&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!Pop 2020<ref>{{Cite web|title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Tarpon Springs city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Tarpon+Springs+city;+Florida+&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2010
!% 2020
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] (NH)
|19,531
|19,804
|83.17%
|78.85%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] (NH)
|1,437
|1,524
|6.12%
|6.07%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] (NH)
|50
|56
|0.21%
|0.22%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH)
|331
|360
|1.41%
|1.43%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]] (NH)
|19
|16
|0.08%
|0.06%
|-
|[[Other races (U.S. Census)|Some other race]] (NH)
|48
|131
|0.20%
|0.52%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races/Multiracial]] (NH)
|361
|944
|1.54%
|3.76%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|1,707
|2,282
|7.27%
|9.09%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''23,484'''
|'''25,117'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|-
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 25,117 people, 10,971 households, and 6,191 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Tarpon Springs city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Tarpon+Springs+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1101|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 23,484 people, 9,870 households, and 6,113 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Tarpon Springs city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Tarpon+Springs+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2010.S1101|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 21,003 people, 9,067 households, and 5,947 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,297.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 10,759 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,176.7|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 90.07% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 6.15% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.29% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.04% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.06% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.81% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.57% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 4.33% of the population.

In 2000, there were 9,067 households, out of which 22.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.78.

In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 19.2% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 24.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $38,251, and the median income for a family was $46,316. Males had a median income of $36,356 versus $25,252 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $21,504. About 7.7% of families and 9.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 16.1% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.

In 2000, 84.99% of the population spoke [[English language|English]] as a [[first language]], while the second most spoken language was [[Greek language|Greek]], at 8.87% of residents. 3.46% spoke [[Spanish language|Spanish]], 1.09% at [[French language|French]], [[German language|German]] 0.56%, and [[Italian language|Italian]] was spoken by 0.55% of people living in Tarpon Springs. In total, 15% of the population spoke a language other than English as a [[mother tongue]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=12&place_id=71150&order=r|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514150720/http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=12&place_id=71150&order=r|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-05-14|title=Data Center Results|website=www.mla.org|access-date=2023-11-11}}</ref>

==Arts and culture==
[[File:Recent Sponge Harvest - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Sponge harvest]]
[[File:Spongeorama's Sponge Factory (Tarpon Springs, Florida) 01.jpg|thumb|The Spongeorama museum]]
[[File:Tarpon Springs old city hall01.jpg|thumb|right|Old City Hall.]]
[[File:Tarpon Springs Depot 2016.jpg|thumb|right|[[Tarpon Springs Depot]], built 1909]]

Elaborate religious ceremonies are hosted by the [[St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral (Tarpon Springs, Florida)|St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral]], part of the [[Church of Greece|Greek Orthodox Church]], including the January 6 [[Epiphany (holiday)|Epiphany]] celebration. The first Greek immigrants depended on the sea and their boats for their livelihood. The [[metropolitan bishop|Metropolitan]] of [[Atlanta]] usually presides over the blessings, sometimes joined by the [[Archbishop of America]]. The blessings conclude with the ceremonial throwing of a wooden cross into the city's Spring Bayou, and boys ages 16 to 18 dive in to retrieve it: whoever recovers the cross is said to be blessed for a full year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/first-timer-grabs-the-epiphany-cross-in-tarpon-springs/1269275|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130109083449/http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/first-timer-grabs-the-epiphany-cross-in-tarpon-springs/1269275|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 9, 2013|title=First-timer grabs the Epiphany cross in Tarpon Springs|last1=Wang|first1=Stephanie|last2=Summers|first2=Keyonna|date=January 6, 2013|website=Tampa Bay Times|access-date=2016-07-09}}</ref>

Museums include:
*Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum in Craig Park, which features the history and culture of the Greek Community.
*Safford House Museum
*The Depot Museum

Notable districts and properties listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Pinellas County, Florida|National Register of Historic Places]] include:
* [[Tarpon Springs Greektown Historic District]]
* [[Tarpon Springs Historic District]]
* [[Arcade Hotel (Tarpon Springs, Florida)|Arcade Hotel]]
* [[Old Tarpon Springs City Hall]], which houses the Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center.
* [[Old Tarpon Springs High School]]
* [[Safford House]]
* [[Tarpon Springs Depot]]

Sites related to the sponge industry include:
* [[E.R. Meres Sponge Packing House]]
* [[N.G. Arfaras Sponge Packing House]]

===Library===
The Tarpon Springs Public Library was founded in 1916 by Julia Roswell Smith Inness and other leading members of the Tarpon Springs community.<ref name=":0">Schnur, James Anthony, "The Tarpon Springs Public Library : A Cultural Treasure for Nearly a Century" (2013). USF St. Petersburg campus Faculty Publications. 3082. <nowiki>https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/fac_publications/3082</nowiki></ref> The library began in the northern portion of the second floor of the Tarpon Springs City Hall and was supported by the Library Association and public dues. <ref name=":0" />

The Tarpon Springs Public Library has moved five times over the course of its history to accommodate its increasing collection to support the growing population of Tarpon Springs. <ref name=":1">"Tarpon Springs Public Library" (1998). Florida Library History Project. 35. <nowiki>https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/fl_library_history/35</nowiki></ref>In 1921, the library moved into a house on Orange Street owned by Miss Richey, who also managed the collection. <ref name=":0" /> After the sale of the house on Orange Street and some financial difficulties for the library due to the Great Depression, the library was set up in the Tarpon Hotel thanks to the support from the Tarpon Springs Enterprise Association. <ref name=":0" /> 

In 1937, a plot of land was donated by John and Mabel Cheyney to build a new library on what later became known as Library Lane.  Groundbreaking for this building began in July 1938.<ref name=":0" /> The library was located here until 1964 when a new library building opened in Coburn Park.<ref name=":0" /> The library was housed in this building until the current library building, located at 138 East Lemon St. Tarpon Springs, FL 34689, opened in January of 1997. <ref name=":1" />

The current Tarpon Springs Public Library building is 20,000 square feet and is located in the downtown area of Tarpon Springs.<ref name=":1" /> The front of the building is adorned with a fountain showcasing two life size Tarpons springing forth from the water in celebration of the city's namesake.<ref name=":0" />  The building entrance is decorated with Mediterranean green marble which was also used to create both the Circulation and Reference desks. <ref name=":0" /> 

Tarpon Springs Library is a member of the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative. It offers Pinellas County residents access to its wide collection, free computer use, as well as one-on-one Genealogy assistance.   <ref>{{Cite web |title=Tarpon Springs Public Library |url=https://tarponlibrary.org/ |access-date=2025-04-28 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Media==
Tarpon Springs is the setting and primary filming location of the 1953 film ''[[Beneath the 12-Mile Reef|Beneath the Twelve-Mile Reef]]'' which follows the lives of a family of Greek sponge fishermen and depicts the annual [[Epiphany (holiday)|Epiphany celebration]].{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

==Infrastructure==
[[File:TSPD Officer Rodriguez' patrol car.jpg|thumb|Tarpon Springs Police Department police car with [[Police car#Ghost car|ghost markings]]]]

Tarpon Springs Police Department has 57 total police officers, with 32 assigned to patrol.<ref>[https://www.tspd.us/command-staff TSPD Command Staff], accessed 01/29/2025</ref><ref name="Patch">[https://patch.com/florida/tarponsprings/women-tarpon-springs-police-department-nodx Women of The Tarpon Springs Police Department], The Patch, February 25th 2025, Alympia Peaceful</ref> Tarpon Springs Fire Rescue has 46 total firefighters in three fire stations.{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}

[[AdventHealth North Pinellas]] is a hospital in Tarpon Springs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://stpetecatalyst.com/inside-the-new-20m-ed-expansion-at-adventhealths-north-pinellas-hospital/|title=Inside the $20M ED expansion at AdventHealth's North Pinellas hospital|last=Brezina|first=Veronica|date=August 28, 2021|website=St Pet Catalyst|access-date=February 8, 2024}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[2 Pistols]], rapper
* [[Doug Ault]], professional baseball player, [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] and [[Toronto Blue Jays]] 
* [[Michael Bilirakis]], former U.S. Representative
* [[Gus Bilirakis]], U.S. Representative
* [[Wesley Charpie]], soccer player<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wes Charpie |url=https://www.loucity.com/roster/wes-charpie/ |access-date=March 29, 2025 |website=[[Louisville City FC]]}}</ref>
* [[Chris Coghlan]], professional baseball player
* [[Mason Cole]], professional football player, [[Arizona Cardinals]], [[Minnesota Vikings]], and [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]
* [[Dieselboy]], electronic music artist
* [[Billy "The Kid" Emerson]], preacher and former rock and roll pianist and songwriter
* [[Michael Koulianos]], preacher, writer and YouTuber
* [[Elaine Esposito]], former record holder of the longest coma
* [[Wayne Fontes]], NFL coach for the [[Detroit Lions]]
* [[Bertie Higgins]], singer of [[Key Largo (song)|"Key Largo"]]
* [[William W. Kingsbury]], United States House of Representatives, territorial delegate from [[Minnesota Territory]]
* [[Themistocles Leftheris]], 2006 Olympian (with [[Naomi Nari Nam]]) in [[Pair skating|pairs figure skating]]
* [[Lois Lenski]], [[Newbery Medal]]-winning children's author
* [[Bertram Chapman Mayo]] (1865–1920), American newspaper promoter
* [[Melanie Safka]], singer-songwriter<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1998/04/20/look-what-melanie-s-done-to-the-house-ma/|title=Look what Melanie's done to the house, Ma|date=April 20, 1998|website=Tampa Bay Times|access-date=2024-05-09|first=Michele|last=Miller}}</ref>
* [[Savatage]], heavy metal band and precursor to [[Trans-Siberian Orchestra]]
* [[Artavis Scott]], wide receiver for the [[Los Angeles Chargers]]

==Sister cities==
In 2007 and 2008, the Tarpon Springs established sister city relationships with [[Kalymnos]], [[Halki (Greece)|Halki]], [[Symi]], [[Hydra (island)|Hydra]], and [[Larnaca, Cyprus]], recognizing the historical link with those Greek-speaking islands.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}}

==See also==
*[[Greek diaspora]]
*[[Greektown]]
*[[Tarpon Springs High School]]
*[[Pinellas Trail]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Tarpon Springs, Florida}}
*{{official website|http://www.ctsfl.us/}}

{{Portal bar|North America|United States|Florida|Cities}}
{{Tampa Bay Area}}
{{Pinellas County, Florida}}
{{Greektowns}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Tarpon Springs, Florida| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Florida]]
[[Category:Cities in Pinellas County, Florida]]
[[Category:Greek-American culture in Florida]]
[[Category:Greektowns in the United States]]
[[Category:Populated places on the Intracoastal Waterway in Florida]]
[[Category:Sponge diving]]
[[Category:1876 establishments in Florida]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1876]]