Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Headlines through the years

A look back at the events, people and places that made North Pinellas the unique place that it is. The information is compiled from past editions of the St. Petersburg Times.

By Times Staff Writer
Published February 13, 2005

Feb. 7, 1945: Tarpon Springs plans dam as future source of city water supply

TARPON SPRINGS - Tentative plans for the construction of a dam across the Anclote River, resulting in the creation of a freshwater lake that would serve as a permanent source of the city's water supply, were announced early last night by County Commissioner Ed H. Beckett at a meeting of supervisors of the Pinellas soil conservation district.

The upper Pinellas commissioner pointed out that the project has been approved by the Tarpon Springs City Commission. He added that the proposed new lake would be beautified and that the flooding of the Anclote River lowlands in the Tarpon Springs area would go far toward abating the mosquito nuisance.

CLEARWATER - Negotiations between the Pinellas County Commission and the state road department for alterations to the proposed route of the Gulf Coast highway from a point approximately 10 miles south of the county line into Tarpon Springs began here last night.

The road plan cuts through the heart of a large citrus grove owned by County Commissioner Ed H. Beckett, one of the original coast road boosters.

Commissioner Beckett advised his colleagues that he is willing to donate whatever right-of-way is needed from other parts of his property, but he cannot agree with the state's tentative value of $25 per tree as adequate compensation for trees that average 15 years in age.

The state road department said that whatever policy is adopted with reference to the Beckett grove in building the road southward from Tarpon Springs to St. Petersburg will affect settlements with other grove owners totaling upwards of $100,000.

Between Tarpon Springs and St. Petersburg, it was explained, lie many of the largest and finest citrus properties in the county. They are owned by several leaders of the Pinellas citrus industry including Barnard Kilgore, the Coachman interests and Robert S. Brown, all of Clearwater.

Commissioner Beckett said he believed a few minor changes in the road route would avoid bisecting not only his grove, but many others.

CLEARWATER - Fresh strawberries from upper Pinellas home gardens will be featured in tomorrow's displays at the Clearwater Farmers' Market, it was announced today by Mrs. Joy Belle Hess, market manager.

Other products expected to be brought in by local farmers include cauliflower, English peas, turnips, radishes, lettuce and cabbage.

CLEARWATER - Several residents of the county capital who had navigated Pinellas waters in crafts of various kinds in the early days took advantage of the opportunity afforded by the completion of bridges across Johns Pass and Blind Pass to drive over those inlets on Sunday. They made the trip over the Welsh causeway, down the keys to the Boca Ciega span and thus to the mainland again.

A trip over the causeways and down the keys, now linked with fine bridges, demonstrates that the day of water transportation has practically gone as far as this subpeninsula is concerned.

The boats that were so plentiful along these shores before the coming of the railroads and good roads are seen no more. The old-timers lament this condition and some of them claim the waterways have been ruined. The rising generation, however, points to the speedboats, airplanes and motor cars, declaring that the causeways and highways are much ahead of "any old boat" for pleasurable transportation.

Theresa Blackwell compiles the history column. She can be reached at 727 771-4305 or blackwell@sptimes.com

[Last modified February 13, 2005, 01:25:46]