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Resort's new name reflects the history of Palm Harbor

By WILL VAN SANT
Published February 21, 2007

PALM HARBOR - With the renaming of 5 acres on Sutherland Bayou, this community has staked claim to its heritage.

Seven months after Pinellas County bought the Palm Harbor Resort from Canadian owner Roy Wilson, the site has a new name: Sutherland Bayou Boat Ramp.

Until 1925, Palm Harbor was called Sutherland, thought to be a contraction of Southern Land and Development Co., which platted the area in 1888.

"They thought Palm Harbor sounded more like Palm Beach and would attract more tourists," said Winona Jones, 78, a town native and former director of the North Pinellas Historical Museum. "It didn't quite work."

Hoping to preserve dwindling boater access to the Gulf of Mexico, the county bought the Palm Harbor Resort property in August for $3.8-million.

The resort was home to a boat ramp, a bait shop, rental cottages and a recreational vehicle park. The county has spent several months relocating tenants and turning the site into a public boat launching facility.

While the boat ramp is open to the public, upgrades to the site are ongoing. Additional parking is being added, some structures are being demolished and a kiosk is being built for boaters to pick up information on area waters.

The name change was made Tuesday by the County Commission, a move that is being welcomed by residents with an interest in the area's past.

"It's historically a little bit more accurate or authentic," said Lesley Klein, 43, past president of Old Palm Harbor Main Street Inc., a nonprofit. "It is the Sutherland Bayou."

Will Van Sant can be reached at 727 445-4166 or vansant@sptimes.com.

[Last modified February 20, 2007, 20:48:07]