The history of initial Spanish exploration in this area is not well known so kudos to the city of…read moreSafety Harbor for posting historical marker signs. Spanish explorers visited this area searching for a waterway across Florida and seeking the legendary fountain of youth. Ultimately what they found were indigenous tribes at war with each other. Settlements were made but everyone disappeared, Christianity was spread, disease was spread as well, and ultimately the original local tribes suffered as Europeans settled. All of this started in the 1500's believe it or not! Imagine life back then and being the first Europeans to visit Florida or being a native resident and having the heavily armed Spanish show up suddenly one day in a ship! Life is good when you appreciate history!

My review is strictly based on my drive through the congestion on US19 south. Lots of stop and go…read moredue to the vast number of stop lights there are also businesses lining the entire length of the highway driving through New Port Richey making it impossible to see anything this city has to offer. On a positive note I did find the Starbucks so three stars for ya on that note a by-pass around this city would be awesome.

I lived in this city and area for over 2 decades and saw the growth and the way the city and county…read morehandled making sure roadways and schools were included in building up housing developments. The preservation of downtown and adding the beautiful artistic touches of murals, art and landscaping that added to the charm. The huge remake of Sims Park changed the way you visit downtown. You want to take the kids to the playground even more, walk the circle around the pond- they just completed mirrored boardwalk/piers on either side of the pond and it looks amazing- or walk along the riverbank! New Port Richey holds numerous events downtown throughout the year- Bikefest drives in great revenue, Chasco Fiesta is fun for everyone, I loved the seafood festival every year too! They have worked to clean up the area downtown and create a safe and fun environment. Several places to eat and drink, including a newer brewery right in middle of downtown! There is also much more history here than many realize- a destination spot for famous actors and actresses in the 40's. Oh- and the mayor is great! He is invested in the city and has made amazing strides in the community.

Safety Harbor is full of history if you look for it! The first newspaper was called the Tropical…read moreBreeze, started in 1915! After one year, the paper ceased but then came the Safety Harbor Herald which moved to this site in 1920. The paper grew to 12-16 pages and published every Friday! Life is good with local history!

Take a moment to stop here in downtown Tampa and appreciate the sacrifice of this Marine who is…read moreremembered downtown with this historical marker that was erected in 1981 by the citzens of Tampa to honor one of their own. The marker reads: "During the Inchon invasion in Korea, September 15, 1950, Marine 1st Lieutenant Lopez's platoon was engaging the enemy. Exposing himself to hostile fire he attempted to hurl a grenade into the pillbox whose fire was pinning them down. Wounded, he fell and dropped the grenade. Dragging his body forward, critically wounded and unable to grasp the grenade, he sacrificed himself rather than endanger the lives of his men. With his wounded right arm, he cradled the grenade under him absorbing the full impact of the explosion. With courage and devotion to duty, he gallantly gave his life for his men and his country." First Lieutenant Lopez was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. http://www.marinemedals.com/lopezbaldomero.htm [Review 10418 overall, 185 of 2019.]

I've been a loyal Publix shopper since 1990 when I moved to South Florida. When I moved to North…read moreCarolina, I was pleased that Publix opened in the Charlotte area and now the store around the corner from my home is my favorite shop. So now as I'm passing through Lakeland, I had to stop and see the Publix Birthday Cake Water Tower aka the HydroCake! Rising 146 feet 6 inches, the tower is shaped like a giant birthday cake, complete with ten candles. Each candle stands eight feet tall, weighs 250 pounds, and represents five years of Publix history, honoring the company's legacy since its founding in 1930. The concept came from Joe Blanton, who drew inspiration from the nearby Publix Bakery Plant. Construction began in 1982, with Hydrostorage, Inc. serving as the engineering firm. Beyond its playful design, the tower provides essential water service to Publix facilities and the surrounding community. At night, the candles illuminate the skyline, creating a festive glow. The tower sits near the Publix Bakery Warehouse. While there is no dedicated parking, I was able to carefully pull over to photograph the landmark. Over time, the Publix Birthday Cake Water Tower has become more than a utility. It is a beloved symbol of Publix's history and community spirit, a quirky attraction that continues to charm Lakeland and beyond. [Review 1560 of 2025 - 2147 in Florida - 25110 overall]

When you are driving down the street near the headquarters of Publix in Lakeland, look up for a…read moresweet treat. Up in the sky is a three tier birthday cake complete with candles. It has been nicknamed the HydroCake. Publix was founded in 1945 when George Jenkins purchased 19 All American chain of food stores and converted them into the first Publix Super Markets. In 1951, Publix moved its headquarters from Winter Haven to Lakeland where it built its first distribution warehouse. Today Publix has thanked Lakeland by investing philanthropically throughout the city. In the early 1980's, Publix created this iconic water tower in the shape of one of their famous birthday cakes. You can't call yourself an official Floridian if you have not celebrated at least one birthday in your life with a Publix birthday cake. This cake was created with 2.25 million pounds of steel. Each candle on the cake is 8 feet tall and weighs 250 pounds. There are 10 candles, each representing five years of Publix's history. The 11th candle in the middle represents the years to come. Lights on the candles turn on at night to serve as an aerial blinker. This 146 tall steel cake is more than just decorative, it serves an important function. When Publix had opened a dairy processing plant, frozen food warehouse, and expanded the bakery plant they needed a new water system to support the infrastructure. This water tower can deliver 25,000 gallons of water per minute. This whimsical water tower is a fun roadside attraction and symbolizes the connection Publix has to the City of Lakeland.

My first visit to Plant City was just about 20 years ago, I was working in the northeast and doing…read morebusiness with a company located here, my first impression wasn't the best being it was mid summer. It was 95 degrees and at least that same percentage of humidity and the vendor I was visiting had no air conditioning in his shop, needless to say it was a very short visit, but I did have the chance to kick around the town a little and got a little history of the area. Originally, Plant City was a large cotton center, but after changing its primary crop to strawberries it gained recognition as the winter strawberry capital of the world and now that I live in Florida I can say without a doubt they grow some of the most succulent strawberries that will ever touch your lips. Plant City's original name was Ichepucksassa (also known as Idasukshed) after the Indian village that once occupied the territory. Its name caused so much confusion besides being difficult to pronounce that the city was renamed Cork, ( LOL) after the postmaster's Irish hometown. It was finally given the name Plant City in commemoration of Henry B. Plant and his railroad, which significantly boosted the commerce in this primarily agricultural community by incorporating it with the South Florida Railroad. I thought it was because of all the plants they grew here, oh well so much for assumptions. I'd say most people recognize the city's name because Plant City was also the spring training home of the Cincinnati Reds who played at Plant City Stadium from 1988 to 1997. In case you're wondering Pete Rose never played pre-season baseball here but he did manage here for two years before "agreeing to" and "accepting" a permanent ban from baseball for betting on games he participated in with no appeal, what was he thinking? It appears that "Charlie Hustle" got shang·haied by his legal counsel in to believing the truth will set you free. Well I respect the honesty of the man but can never agree that the punishment fit the crime. So it's okay to be convicted of drugs possession, domestic violent, rape, murder and child abuse and continue to participate, make millions of dollars and even be inducted into the Hall of Fame but don't bet on yourself to win because that's unforgivable. Pete Rose is alright by me as is Plant City....

The old Sulphur Springs Bank building is a cool historical site. It's right behind the theater (now…read morea recording studio space) and a couple blocks from the Sulphur Springs pool complex (around a spring) and in sight of the River Tower and greyhound track where a shopping arcade was once located. The area developed rapidly as a tourist attraction around springs along the Hillsborough River. A flood along the river in 1933 and the Great Depression ended its run. Here's more info and a tour guide for the area: http://heritagelab.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/walkingtour.pdf

I love old drawbridges and the best kind of old drawbridge is a "lift" bridge where the roadway is…read moreliterally lifted up, as opposed to a "swing" bridge where the roadway twists out of the way or a "bascule" bridge where the span lifts like a leaf ("bascule" is French for leaf). The Hillsborough Avenue Lift Bridge is also known as the T.N. Henderson Bridge (I have no idea why) and it carries State Route 600 and US Highway 92 over the Hillsborough River. It was built in 1939 by the Cone Brothers Construction Company and designed by J.H. Dowling of the State Road Department. What is particularly unique here is that there are two separate bridges at this crossing. The vertical lift bridge serves eastbound traffic and a neighboring bascule bridge serves westbound traffic. The lift bridge was originally part of a road expansion project connecting Tampa's northern suburbs and remains one of only two operable vertical lift bridges in Florida. The much larger Main Street Bridge (aka John T. Alsop Jr. Bridge) in Jacksonville is the other. Vertical lift highway bridges are quite rare. This one features a Warren pony truss lift span with the main span hoisted by cables from machinery housed in two steel towers containing concrete counterweights. In 1999, the bridge underwent rehabilitation to maintain its functionality which is when the bascule bridge was built. There is no toll to cross in either direction. There is a small park on the east bank to the south of the bridges or you can briefly park in the grocery store on the north side. Both bridges have a pedestrian walkway next to the outside lane. There is also a walkway under the bridge on the west bank but I wouldn't recommend going there after dark. I did hang around for a bit but did not get the opportunity to see either bridge lift today. [Review 328 of 2025 - 1983 in Florida - 23890 overall]