LARGO

It was 1886, when the Orange Belt Railroad was coming through the area that residents came together to give their community a name.  It seemed that the railroad would only build a station if the stop had a name.  Some residents wished to name the town after the daughter of a prominent resident Gideon Blitch – Luluville.  Ultimately they chose to name their town Largo, after the town’s large lake.  (In an ironic twist, the Largo lake was completely drained by the Cross Bayou Drainage District 50 years later).  Others argue that Largo gained its name from the city of Largo, Scotland, where several of the area’s settlers came from.   Because of its central location and rich farmlands, Largo quickly became the center of the area’s citrus industry, earning the title “Citrus City.”

The town was officially incorporated in 1905, and in 1913 became the first town in Florida – and the second in the nation – to adopt a town manager form of government.  The town grew rapidly through the boom times of the 1920s. It switched back and forth from “town” to “city” a few times and became a city again in 1974.

Today, residents and visitors alike flock to Largo’s Heritage Village, an open-air historical village and museum with structures dating back to the mid-late 19^th century.  The Heritage Village is adjoining the Botanical Gardens, a real hidden gem!  With 182 acres showcasing flora, fauna, and natural resources in lovely surroundings…and it’s pet friendly!

According to the US Census Bureau, the city has a total of 19.47 square miles, of which 18.48 square miles is land and 0.99 square miles is water.  The 2020 Census reported the population to be 84,948.

In 2020 there were 1,921 properties that sold for an average sales price of $252,110 and an average of 35 days on market.  There are currently 94 properties listed for sale with an average list price of $279,164.

Visit this site next week when we take a close look at Madeira Beach!

KENNETH CITY

Kenneth City began as 340 acres of pasture land and was incorporated April 30, 1957 as a tax-free community of single family homes.

Kenneth City was named after developer Sidney Colen’s son Kenneth.  Several of Colen’s other projects have carried the names of his children.  He named these developments after his children not to immortalize them, but to strengthen his commitment to do the best job he could “because I would never do anything to disgrace their names.”

Colen said Kenneth City was “born as a protest of over-bearing regulations and taxes.”  He intended the town to be a model community.

The town has grown nearly ten times in size since it originated.  Kenneth City has also become a lot more active in the last few years.  The first town manager since the early days was hired in 2014.  Kenneth City has always been a very safe area.  The town has one of the lowest crime rates in the state of Florida.  In fact, its motto is “A Safe, Friendly, Small Town.”  A quick drive around the city and you will be able to see that this is an apt description.  Kenneth City has great schools, low crime and a fantastic community spirit.  The little town has accomplished a lot in just over 50 years of existence.

According to the US Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.7 square miles, all land.  The 2020 Census reported the population to be 5,121.

In 2020 there were 100 properties that sold for an average sales price of $182,740 and an average of 38 days on market.  There are currently 12 properties listed for sale with an average list price of $141,392.

Visit this site next week when we take a closer look at Largo!

NEW LISTINGS

Gulf Beaches: 25 – $726,567 average list price

St. Petersburg: 197 – $620,059 average list price

Clearwater: 90 – $493,003 average list price

Seminole: 34 – $372,018 average list price

Largo: 35 – $292,394 average list price

Pinellas County: 563 – $577,796 average list price

SALES

Gulf Beaches: 118 – $711,146 average sales price – 99 average days on market

St. Petersburg: 772 – $431,752 average sales price – 37 average days on market

Clearwater: 458 – $286,395 average sales price – 42 average days on market

Seminole: 114 – $308,333 average sales price – 32 average days on market

Largo: 197- $317,783 average sales price – 27 average days on market

Pinellas County: 2,528 – $397,510 average sales price – 38 average days on market

Are you interested in more detailed market information?  Thinking of selling your home?  Looking for a new nest?  Curious to know the market value of your home? 

…Contact one of the Price Group Realtors!

INDIAN SHORES

Indian Shores was originally an Indian campsite and got its name from the large red rocks found along the shoreline.  The first “settlers” were a pair of Robinson-Crusoe-type brothers named Cochran.  In 1883 four Cedar Key speculators sailing to St. Petersburg, stopped to explore the Island.

Indian Shores was incorporated on September 16, 1949 and was called Indian Rocks Beach, South Shore at the time.  The name was changed to Indian Shores August 14, 1973.

In addition to the beautiful beach, Indian Shores is known as the home of the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary, a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue & treatment of sick & injured birds.  At the sanctuary you can leisurely stroll through the 1.7 acres which is home to nearly 100 permanently disabled birds which are on display in large aviaries.  While at the sanctuary view the memorial dedicated to the late Jim Backus (Mr. Howell of Gilligan’s Island) and from longtime Redington Shores resident Dawn Wells (Mary-Ann of Gilligan’s Island), located in the sanctuary’s Shade Garden. 

According to the US Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.9 square miles, of which 0.3 square miles is land and 0.6 square miles is water.  The 2020 Census reported the population to be 1,468.

In 2020 there were 203 properties that sold with an average sales price of $621,761 and an average of 58 days on market.  There are currently 15 properties listed for sale with an average list price of $1,457,953.

Check back with us next week as we look closer at Kenneth City!

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH

“I liked the place, I thought it was the most beautiful place on God’s green footstool, and I think so yet.”  Quoted by pioneer settler Harvey K. Hendrick many years after he arrived in Indian Rocks Beach around 1890.

There are two legends about how Indian Rocks Beach got its name.  The first is that of a medicine man who used the local waters to heal his very ill chief (Native American Indian Chief Chic-a-Si).  After the miraculous healing, the Indians returned to the site each year to fish and drink the water.  Early settlers are said to have observed the Indians ‘going to the rocks’ each year-hence the name.  The second legend came from the Native American Indians crossing over from the mainland to the island to fish along the shore.  They chose a narrow spot to cross, where the rocks protruding from the water made it easy for them to walk across to the island.  So, the rocks became known as Indian Rocks.

Indian Rocks Beach was developed in the early 1920’s as a weekend getaway destination for the wealthy.  It became known as “Tampa’s playground” when the Tampa and Gulf Coast railroad built a spur from the city to the beach.  Tampans flocked to their newly discovered paradise, seeking relief from the summer heat and the pressures of boom era city life.

Indian Rocks Beach was incorporated in 1956 after the creation of the longest fishing pier in Florida, and the biggest attraction of all: Tiki Gardens.  The multi-acre Polynesian paradise that drew 300,000 visitors a year during its prime years.  Today, a diverse, colorful blend of people from all age groups, and places old and new, give Indian Rocks Beach its unique, eclectic “cottage” character.  Located on the barrier island Sand Key, there are 26 public beach accesses.  Indian Rocks Beach is a mix that residents prize and visitors seek out year after year. 

According to the US Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.4 square miles, of which 0.9 square miles is land and 0.5 square miles is water.  The 2020 Census reported the population to be 4,285.

In 2020 there were 199 properties that sold with an average sales price of $678,635 and an average of 56 days on market.  There are currently 13 properties listed for sale with an average list price of $754,623.

Visit us here again next week as we take a look at Indian Shores!