Tarpon Springs a Greek Village known for its sponge docks is located about an hour North West of Sun City Center.
In 1891 John KIng Cheyney changed Tarpon Springs into a "Sponge Town!" and formed the Anclote Sponge Company. Cheyney later hired John Cocoris, a young Greek sponge buyer who convinced Cheyney to bring his brothers and other Greek divers to Tarpon Springs. With their advanced rubberized diving suits, copper helmets ans pumped-in air the divers brought in nearly four times as many songes per man per hour then the harvesters using the hook method. 500 Greek men entered Tarpon Springs between 1905 and 1906. More immigrants followed and sponge docks were transformed into a replica of a Mediterranean port city with restaurants and markets.
Today Visitors can walk the quaint village streets, visit the sponge docks, eat at any one of the Greek restaurants. Window Shop the local bakery and take leave of ones diet to indulge in any one or more of the beautifully displayed Greek baked goods.
A sightseeing Trolley runs Tuesday - Sunday for a fare of $1.00 for a single ride or $3.00 for the entire day. Visitors ride thu the historic town hop off see points of interest then hop back on to the next interest point. There are many antique, local speciality, shell and sponge shops for those like minded visitors.
Take a boat ride out into the gulf and have fun watching the dolphins chase and play along side.
All in all Tarpon Springs is a fun filled day. Lots to see and do with a very affordable price tag.
Comments(4)