Tarpon Springs, FL

Tarpon Springs is one of those tiny towns with a great big past. Or actually, a big Greek past, as well as present; it has the highest percentage of Greek Americans of any city in the United States. Settled by fisherman around 1876, the town was named after the large scaled fish of the same name found in the area. However, it was soon discovered that in addition to the bony, largely inedible game fish, the water off the coast was home to a crazy amount of sponges.

In the early days, these sponges were harvested by a hook; however, when John M. Corcoris introduced the Greek diving method, an industry was born. He recruited divers from the Greek Islands, and soon sponge harvesting and processing was one of the leading maritime industries in Florida, with over 500 divers and 50 boats.

By 1907 a Sponge Exchange was created, and auctions took place twice a week of the processed puffs. A town grew around the industry, and soon there were shops and restaurants. Tarpon Springs became known as the “Sponge Capital of the World,” and fared exceedingly well for 30 years. By the mid 1930s there were over 200 sponge boats working the area, yielding over three million dollars a year. However, tragedy struck in the 1940s, when a red tide algae bloom decimated the sponge fields. By the 1950s, the industry was almost completely wiped out.

Fortunately new sponge beds were discovered in the 1980s, and the industry rebounded. Today, Tarpon Springs is once again the largest producer of natural sponges in the world, supplying 70% of all natural sponges on the market. In fact, every sponge in the world appears to be for sale at the shops that line the streets. I have never in my life seen so many sponges. Bin after bin of sponges in all shapes and sizes. If you need a specific sponge, they will have it here.

While you certainly can and should buy sponges in Tarpon Springs, today many people visit for the food. There are an amazing number of Greek Restaurants along the water. Authentic Greek restaurants, staffed largely by Greek immigrants. Most have waterfront seating, overlooking the sponge boats. If you fancy a trip out on the water, many offer sponge diving demonstrations.

The town is also home to the beautiful St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Built in 1943 to replace an earlier structure, it is a stunning example of Byzantine architecture. It boasts rich carvings, a center dome, and countess stained glass window, as well as a 60 ton alter of Greek Marble, originally part of the Greek Exhibit at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Absolutely stunning.

There are also plenty of other historic sites to explore in town, including the 1909 depot, the Arcade Hotel, and several sponge packing houses. Although parts of town can certainly feel a bit touristy, there are many authentic reminders of the past to be found. Absolutely arrive early to beat the crowds; scores of people swarm the streets for their spanakopita, and parking is a bit tight.