Espiritu Santo Springs

On May 18, 1539, Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto reached the shores of what is now Tampa Bay, landing near these mineral springs used by the native population for nearly 10,000 years. Believing he had found the legendary Fountain of Youth somehow missed by Ponce de Leon, de Soto established a camp here, naming the crystal waters Espiritu Santo Springs, "Springs of the Holy Spirit." Each of the five springs located on this site was identified and said to cure certain ailments, a claim that drew thousands of visitors yearly to Safety Harbor, known as the "Health Giving City." The Safety Harbor Sanitorium opened in 1926, offering porcelain bath tubs and a large swimming pool for "taking the waters." In 1945, the springs and sanitorium were sold to Dr. Salem H. Baranoff, who opened the facility as a health spa. Today the springs continue to attract health-conscious travelers.

Safety Harbor, Florida · United States