A Brief History of Safety Harbor Florida

by Warren Firschein

According to legend, Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto arrived on the shores of Safety Harbor in 1539 believing that he had discovered the fabled Fountain of Youth. For centuries, the area's natural mineral springs had hosted the Tocobaga people and would later attract early pioneers to west-central Florida. The natural mineral springs drew visitors to bathe in their restorative waters, and in the twentieth century, they were eventually transformed into the world-famous Safety Harbor Resort and Spa, enjoyed by wealthy socialites and professional athletes for decades. Today, the city is best known for its abundance of festivals and the collection of artists, writers, poets and musicians who call it their home--an oasis of calm within bustling Pinellas County. Join authors Warren Firschein and Laura Kepner as they detail the vibrant history of scenic Safety Harbor.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

194 pages, Hardcover

First published October 20, 2013

About the author

Warren Firschein is the author of several middle grade novels, including Out of Synch (Chapter Two Press, 2015), considered the all-time best-selling middle grade novel about the sport of synchronized swimming. His most recent books are The Map of Eternity and The Crystal Sea (both by Chapter Two Press, 2019), which comprise The Bean Store duology. He is the co-founder and managing editor of Odet, an annual literary journal based in Tampa Bay, and the coauthor of the non-fiction A Brief History of Safety Harbor, Florida, published by History Press in 2013.

After growing up in New Jersey, he graduated from the University of Rochester in 1989 with a degree in political science, followed by a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University. When not writing, he serves as an attorney for the Federal Communications Commission. He lives in Florida with his wife and two daughters. Reach him at warrenfirschein.com.

Reviews

[Wayne Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've lived around Safety harbor for 14 years and never had any idea the rich history behind this wonderful city by the bay. Wonderful work in putting this project together Laura Kepner and Warren Firschein.
If ever you come to our wonderful little harbor, be sure to visit the Whimzey House. :)

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am new to Safety Harbor but as a community pastor I have a vested interest in understanding this place. Firschein and Kepner do an excellent job of telling the story of this place, from Western contact to modern day and separating the facts from folklore. I am enriched for reading this and see my neighborhood, community and parish through new eyes.

[Keith Gerlach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice solid little book about one of my favorite little Florida towns--despite Jacobsen being there...

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title says it all.