Welcome to our series of learning more about our awesome county where we all love to live, work and play. As Pinellas County’s key growth management concept “Planning to Stay” proclaims, “Pinellas County should be the kind of place where families and businesses will want to stay, and where children will want to remain or return once they become adults. This concept is foundational to an overall vision for the future of Pinellas County.”
Pinellas County was founded on January 1, 1912 after officially separating from Hillsborough County. The name Pinellas was derived from the Spanish words Punta Pinal meaning “Point of Pines.” Here are a few noteworthy early years, helping in the growth of Pinellas County.
1916 – Morton F. Plant gives $100,000 toward the creation of Clearwater’s first hospital, which still bears his name.
1921 – Real estate boom period begins.
1923 – County passes bond issue to build roads and bridges.
1924 – The Gandy Bridge opens, halving the distance between St. Petersburg and Tampa. The bridge was the longest automobile toll bridge in the world.
There are many more significant dates to reflect upon which will be referenced along the way as we highlight the cities that comprise Pinellas County. Clearwater is the county seat and the largest city is St. Petersburg. There are 24 incorporated municipalities in Pinellas County and our series will begin with the county seat, Clearwater next week on February 3rd.
Stay tuned!