Clearwater, Florida

History

Present-day Clearwater was originally the home of the Tocobaga people. Around 1835, the United States Army began construction of Fort Harrison, named after William Henry Harrison, as an outpost during the Seminole Wars. The fort was located on a bluff overlooking Clearwater Harbor, which later became part of an early 20th-century residential development called Harbor Oaks. University of South Florida archaeologists excavated the site in 1962 after Mark Wyllie discovered an underground ammunition bunker while planting a tree in his yard.

The area's population grew after the Federal Armed Occupation Act of 1842 offered 160 acre to anyone who would bear arms and cultivate the land. Early settlers included the Stevens, Stevenson, Sever and McMullen families, who claimed and farmed large tracts of land. Prior to 1906, the area was known as Clear Water Harbor. The name "Clear Water" is thought to have come from a fresh water spring flowing from near where the old City Hall building was located. There were many other freshwater springs that dotted the bluff, many in the bay or harbor itself.

Originally part of Hillsborough County, the first road joining Clearwater and Tampa was built in 1849, which dramatically reduced the prior day-long commute between the cities.

During the American Civil War, Union gunboats repeatedly raided the community's supplies, as most of the able-bodied men were away fighting for the Confederate Army. The town began developing in the late nineteenth century, prompted by Peter Demens' completion of the first passenger railroad line into the city in 1888. Clearwater was incorporated in 1891, with James E. Crane becoming the first mayor. The area's popularity as a vacation destination grew after railroad magnate Henry B. Plant built a sprawling Victorian resort hotel named Belleview Biltmore just south of Clearwater in 1897.

By the early 1900s, Clearwater's population had grown to around 400, ballooning to nearly 1,000 in the winter. Clearwater's oldest existing newspaper, the Clearwater Sun, was first published on March 14, 1914 (and ran until 1989). Clearwater was reincorporated, this time as a city, on May 27, 1915, and was designated the county seat for Pinellas County, which broke from Hillsborough County in 1912. In 1915, a bridge was built across Clearwater Harbor, joining the city with Clearwater Beach to the west. Clearwater Beach, although located on a separate barrier island, belongs to the city of Clearwater and fronts the Gulf of Mexico. A new, much higher bridge now arcs over the bay, replacing the former drawbridge; the connecting road is part of State Road 60 and is called Clearwater Memorial Causeway.

During World War II, Clearwater became a major training base for US troops destined for Europe and the Pacific. Virtually every hotel in the area, including the Belleview Biltmore and the Fort Harrison Hotel, was used as a barracks for new recruits. Vehicle traffic was regularly stopped for companies of soldiers marching through downtown, and nighttime blackouts to confuse potential enemy bombers were common practice. Pre-development Sand Key was used as a target by U.S. Army Air Corps fighter-bombers for strafing and bombing practice.

Timeline

• 1888
  • Settlement of Clear Water Harbor founded.
  • "Narrow-gauge railroad" begins operating.
• 1891 – Town of Clear Water Harbor incorporated.
• 1894 – Orange Belt Railroad begins operating.
• 1897 – Belleview Hotel in business in nearby Belleair.
• 1900 – Population: 343.
• 1905 – Population: 610.
• 1906 – Clear Water Harbor renamed "Clearwater".
• 1911 – Clearwater Yacht Club formed.
• 1912 – Clearwater designated seat of newly created Pinellas County.
• 1914
  • Clearwater Evening Sun newspaper begins publication.
  • Tampa and Gulf Coast Railroad begins operating.
• 1915 – City of Clearwater incorporated.
• 1916 – Public library and bridge to Clearwater Beach built.
• 1918 – Pinellas County Courthouse built.
• 1920 – Population: 2,427.
• 1921 – Capitol Theatre in business.
• 1923 – Peace Memorial Church built.
• 1926 – Fort Harrison Hotel rebuilt.
• 1930 – Population: 7,607.
• 1948 – WTAN radio begins broadcasting.
• 1950 – Population: 15,581.
• 1953 – Palm Drive-In cinema in business.
• 1959 – WAZE radio begins broadcasting.
• 1970 – Population: 52,074.
• 1972 – Marine Science Center established.
• 1976
  • Church of Scientology headquartered in Clearwater.
  • Countryside Six cinema in business.
• 1978 – May 4: Tornado occurs.
• 1980 – Population: 85,170.
• 1984 – Regional Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority formed.
• 1998 – City website online (approximate date).
• 2004 – Clearwater Public Library new building opens.
• 2005 – Clearwater Memorial Causeway opens.
• 2010 – Population: 107,685.
• 2012 – George Cretekos becomes mayor.
• 2013 – Church of Scientology's Super Power Building dedicated.
• 2017 – Charlie Crist becomes U.S. representative for Florida's 13th congressional district.
• 2018 – The shooting of Markeis McGlockton receives national attention and triggers a debate regarding stand-your-ground laws.

Geography

The approximate coordinate for the City of Clearwater is located at .

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 101.6 km2, of which 66.2 km2 is land and 35.4 km2 (34.86%) is water.

Downtown

Clearwater's downtown has been undergoing major redevelopment in recent years. General beautification has been done along with completion of several high-rise condos and a large marina. New bars, restaurants, and other amenities are coming to the area, renamed the "Cleveland Street District". Royalty Theatre is also slated to be renovated.

Climate

Clearwater has a humid subtropical climate. Clearwater is far enough south that it lies in the broad transition zone from subtropical to tropical climates. As such, Clearwater is mostly warm to hot year round, with few nights of frost. Most of the annual rainfall comes in the wet season (June through September), when daily thundershowers erupt due to the strong solar heating. The dry season starts in October and runs through May, at which time the weather is sunny, dry, and there is little change in daily weather. |Jan record high F=86 |Feb record high F=87 |Mar record high F=89 |Apr record high F=92 |May record high F=97 |Jun record high F=97 |Jul record high F=96 |Aug record high F=96 |Sep record high F=95 |Oct record high F=94 |Nov record high F=89 |Dec record high F=87 |year record high F=97 |Jan record low F=24 |Feb record low F=27 |Mar record low F=29 |Apr record low F=41 |May record low F=53 |Jun record low F=60 |Jul record low F=62 |Aug record low F=65 |Sep record low F=61 |Oct record low F=45 |Nov record low F=27 |Dec record low F=19 |year record low F=19

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 117,292 people, 48,211 households, and 27,233 families residing in the city.

In 2019, the city's population was spread out, with 18.7% under the age of 18, 59.4% between the age of 18 and 64, and 21.9% who were 65 years of age or older.

Between 2014 and 2018, the median income for a household in the city was $47,070, and the median income for a family was $46,228. 15.9% of the population fell below the poverty line.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 107,685 people, 46,264 households, and 26,317 families residing in the city.

Languages

As of 2000, speakers of English as their first language were 84.43% of residents, Spanish as a mother tongue was 8.55%, Greek accounted for 1.16%, French made up 1.00% of speakers, German at 0.97%, and Italian speakers comprised 0.85% of the population.

Economy

Clearwater's economy employs nearly 50,400 people. Major employers include Morton Plant Hospital, Tech Data, and Honeywell. Employment in Clearwater grew 1.84% from 2015 to 2016 with 50,345 people in the workforce. The most common job groups include Service, Sales & Office, Science, and Business. As of 2020, the median household income for Clearwater was $50,335, which is below the average for both the United States as well as the state of Florida.

Art and culture

In 2012, the city was listed among the 10 best places to retire in the U.S. by CBS Money Watch.

Tourism

Clearwater Public Art and Design Program

The Clearwater Public Art and Design Program, adopted by City Council in 2005, is funded through a 1% allocation on all city capital improvement projects valued at more than $500,000. The program commissions an average of 2–3 new projects per year.

Capitol and Royalty Theatre

Pre-Capitol Theatre, a bandstand stood at 405 Cleveland Street in Downtown Clearwater, where the community gathered to listen to music. The names of locals serving in World War I were etched on the wall of the adjacent Clearwater Sun building; this "Panel of Honor" was obscured when the original Capitol Theatre was built but uncovered when the newspaper building was torn down in 2013.

The Capitol Theatre opened March 21, 1921. It was built by Senator-elect John Stansel Taylor. The theater's architect was Lester Avery and the contractor was John D. Phillipoff. Avery is known for his architecture in Miami. Philipoff also built the Coachman Building (1916), the Donald Roebling Estate in Belleair (added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979), the old Pinellas County Courthouse (added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992), other historical homes which have been saved, and did work at the Belleview Hotel.

Groundbreaking was December 6, 1920. The "New Capitol Theatre" was damaged in a storm on October 26, 1921 (so it had been completed). A theatre organ was installed in 1922, to accompany silent films with music. The organ was made and installed by the Robert Morton Organ Company.

Donald Roebling was a frequent patron, having his own double seat installed at the theatre.

The theatre was managed by various movie companies (EJ Sparks, Paramount, ABC-Southeastern Theatres, and Plitt Southern) and played the most recent movies of the day. The theatre also offered vaudeville on Friday nights in the 1930s. Headliners included Sally Rand, Fred Stone and his daughter, and Lum and Abner (of radio). The theatre was renovated in 1962. The Morton theatre organ was most likely removed during this renovation. When Plitt Southern did not renew their contract in 1979, Bill Neville and Jerry Strain tried to save the theatre with film classics and reduced prices. However, the theatre closed its doors on October 28, 1980.

Royalty Theater Company signed leases with the Taylor family in February 1981, when it then became known as the Royalty Theater (Clearwater, Florida). The building was renovated with Ron Winter of Winter Associates as the contractor and Scott Musheff as the architect.

During the renovations, Bill Neville's murdered body was found in the balcony.

The theatre remained in the Taylor family estate until it was sold in 1996. In July 2008, the building went into foreclosure.

In January 2009, the City of Clearwater and Ruth Eckerd Hall joined forces to purchase the theatre (renamed Capitol Theatre) as well as the neighboring Pat Lokey building as part of a renovation and revitalization of the historic Capitol Theater. Fowler Associates Architects, Inc. was selected for the renovation of the Capitol Theatre. The $10 million renovation and expansion began in 2012 and was completed in 2013. In 2019, a $2.5 million donation renamed the building the Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre.

Clearwater Public Library System

In 1911, the city of Clearwater witnessed a vast population increase as well as acquiring telephones, electricity, paved streets and an ice factory. It is during this time that the Clearwater Library Association opened a subscription library on the second floor of the local People's Bank. Its popularity and support led to the request of $10,000 from the Carnegie Foundation to build a public library. The building was designed by Tampa architect F.J. Kennard. In its first year, the library had over 1,277 visitors and 2,792 books borrowed. As a vacation town, the library provided free access to materials for all residents and winter visitors.

During the Depression, the Clearwater Public Library faced many of the same threats seen at other libraries seen throughout the United States. This includes increased patron usage and dwindling budget. In the 1940s, the Clearwater library increased its staff from three assistants to five assistants. The library's collection also grew from 18,047 to over 100,000. To account for this increase, the Librarian and Board President Traver Bayly made an appeal to the City Commission for additional space.

As a result of segregation, the Clearwater Public Library was for White patrons only from its founding in 1911 to the mid-twentieth century. In 1950, the City Commission agreed to the building of the North Greenwood library. Designed by Architect Eugene Beach, the new library allowed access for the city's African American population to many information sources. This library was renovated in 1984. The new Main library was rebuilt beginning in 2000. It opened in May 2004.

As the population continued to increase throughout the late twentieth century, the library system continued to grow. The Clearwater Public Library System now includes five libraries: Clearwater Main, Countryside, North Greenwood, Beach, and East. In recent years, the Clearwater Public Library System has become increasingly digital, providing patrons with access to computers, online databases, and an online library catalog. This was made possible by the Greater Clearwater Public Library Foundation, Inc. which formed in 1984.

The Clearwater Public Library System is a contributor to the Pinellas Memory Project. This system of libraries is part of the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative which seeks to provide patrons with access to information and programs to benefit the community.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a small non-profit aquarium. Opening in 1972 on Clearwater Beach, the aquarium is most famous for Winter the dolphin. Rescued as a calf in 2005, Winter was one of the first dolphins to have been fitted with a prosthetic tail after losing it due to entanglement in a crab trap. The aquarium is also home to other dolphins, otters, pelicans, nurse sharks, and turtles among several species of fish and other marine life. CMA also assists in animal strandings and other emergencies regarding sea life. Animals that have stranded are rehabilitated, and if possible, released back into the wild once they have made a full recovery. It has been featured as the main setting of the American family movie series Dolphin Tale.

Sports

BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater is the spring training home of Major League Baseball's Philadelphia Phillies, as well as their Low-A affiliate, the Clearwater Threshers.

Parks and recreation

Moccasin Lake Nature Park is a 51 acre with a 5 acre owned and operated by the city. The preserve also features the Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, which offers environmental education classes, programs and camps. The Center features live rehabilitated birds of prey, reptiles, amphibians and aquatic wildlife. It opened in 1982. The City of Clearwater contains five pools: Ross Norton, North Greenwood, Morningside, the Long Center, and Clearwater Beach. Swim lessons are offered throughout the year to patrons, and the pools have both a recreation summer pool league and the Clearwater Aquatics Team. These pools have participated in the World's Largest Swim Lesson.

Government

The City of Clearwater is administered by a council-manager form of government, and the city manager serves as the chief executive and administrative officer of the city.

The Clearwater City Council comprises the mayor and four council members, each of whom serves a four-year term. The council is responsible for setting policies and making decisions on local government issues including tax rates, annexations, property code variances and large contract awards. The city manager and city council are supported by the various city departments.

Education

• St. Petersburg College
• Everest University
• Clearwater High School
• Clearwater Central Catholic High School
• Ultimate Medical Academy
• Clearwater Academy International
• Nova Southeastern University

Transportation

Airport

Tampa International Airport serves Clearwater and the rest of the Tampa Bay Area as the primary means of air travel. St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport has also seen its usage increase. The city owns Clearwater Air Park.

Public transportation

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) bus service is currently Pinellas County's only general public transit. The service offers approximately 35 local routes, two express routes which cross Tampa Bay to the east, and a beach trolley that runs north and south along the county's roughly 25 mi chain of barrier islands.

The city was formerly served by Amtrak at Clearwater station.

Notable people

• Kirstie Alley (1951–2022), television and film actress
• Austin Aries, professional wrestler
• Jeff Attinella, soccer player
• Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, Inc. and a minority owner of the Atlanta Hawks
• Donald Byrd (born 1949), modern dance choreographer
• Ricky Carmichael, supercross/motocross racer
• Ken Climo, professional disc golfer, 12-time PDGA Professional Open World Champion and three-time PDGA Professional Masters World Champion
• Carter W. Clarke (1896–1987), U.S. Army General who oversaw the Venona project and much of the post-war investigation into the intelligence failure that lead to the Pearl Harbor Attack spent his retirement in Clearwater
• Chick Corea (1941–2021), jazz pianist
• Tom Cruise, actor and film producer
• Jared Frayer, American freestyle wrestler, competed at 2012 Summer Olympics for Team USA
• Jeremiah George, former American football player
• Raquel Gibson, model and actress, and Playboy Playmate of the Month (November 2005)
• Joseph W. Hatchett (1932–2021), Florida Supreme Court Justice
• Hulk Hogan (1953–2025), professional wrestler
• Howard Johnson, 1986 World Series Champion with the New York Mets, Major League Baseball third baseman
• Evel Knievel (1938–2007), stuntman
• Nigel Mansell, 1992 Formula One World Champion, resident during early 1990s
• Julian McMahon (1968–2025), actor
• Donald Campbell McMullen (1871-1947), member of the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate
• Clark Mills (1915-2001), creator of international Optimist dinghy (first sailed in Clearwater)
• Kirstjen Nielsen, former United States Secretary of Homeland Security
• Tilian Pearson, musician, lyricist, and vocalist for post-hardcore band Dance Gavin Dance
• Lisa Marie Presley (1968–2023), former resident
• Gary Puckett, singer
• Jimmy Roselli (1925–2011), singer-pianist, WWII veteran
• Melanie Safka (1947–2024), singer-songwriter
• Juliet Simms, musician, Scientologist, contestant on The Voice, resident from 1994 to 2006
• Lazar Stefanovic (born 2006), soccer player
• Lynn D. Stewart, co-founder of the Hooters restaurant chain
• Elsie Thompson (1899–2013), supercentenarian
• Keith Thurman, professional boxer

Church of Scientology

The Church of Scientology's "spiritual headquarters" are located in downtown Clearwater. The Church refers to Clearwater as its "Flag Land Base".

The Church of Scientology owns several historical landmark buildings including the Fort Harrison Hotel and the Clearwater Bank Building. As of 2019, Scientology had purchased so much property in downtown Clearwater that it owned most of the commercial buildings in the downtown core, many of which remained vacant. According to an investigation by the Tampa Bay Times, "The [Church of Scientology], its members and companies they control now own 185 properties that cover 101 acres in the center of downtown. Half the properties were bought since January 2017. ...Seventy-three percent of the property is [now] tax-exempt for religious purposes." By 2024, the count was up to 210 parcels purchased since 2017, including the office tower where city government offices were located, and leaving only seven remaining commercial property owners who are not associated with Scientology or government.

Beginning in the 1970s under the code-name Project Normandy, the Church of Scientology began targeting Clearwater in order to "establish area control" of the city and county. The operations were exposed in a Pulitzer Prize winning series of articles in the Clearwater Sun. Gabe Cazares, who was the mayor of Clearwater at the time, went so far as to call it "the occupation of Clearwater" and later characterized it as a "paramilitary operation by a terrorist group". The Church of Scientology targeted Cazares, attempting to entrap him in a sex scandal. Scientology also staged a phony hit-and-run accident with Cazares in an attempt to discredit him. Cazares and his wife sued the Church of Scientology for $1.5 million. The church settled with Cazares in 1986.

Sister cities

Clearwater has city partnerships with the following cities:

• JPN Nagano, Japan
• GRC Kalamaria, Greece
• AUS Wyong, New South Wales, Australia
• Mexico Ixmiquilpan, Hidalgo, Mexico

References

Bibliography

• {{cite book |title=St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Vicinity (Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, Gulfport, Largo and Pass-A-Grille) City Directory |publisher=R.L. Polk & Co. |url=https://archive.org/stream/referencedesk_myclearwater_1914/1914#page/n37/mode/2up |year=1914
• {{cite book |publisher= R. L. Polk & Co. |title= Florida State Gazetteer and Business Directory |year= 1918 |chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/rlpolkcosflorida01rlpo#page/n209/mode/2up
• • 1973 ed.

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
3. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
4. (October 25, 2007). "US Board on Geographic Names". [[United States Geological Survey]].
5. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Clearwater city, Florida". [[United States Census Bureau]].
6. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
7. "Coachman Park Info Page".
8. McManus, Tracey. (March 12, 2018). "A look inside Scientology's spiritual headquarters". [[Tampa Bay Times]].
9. "A History of Clearwater Florida".
10. "History {{!}} City of Clearwater, FL".
11. "Clearwater Roars Into the 1900s- Freedom Magazine Presents The History of Clearwater Part III".
12. "The Clearwater Sun - Smallest of the World's Leading Newspapers".
13. "Clearwater Sun Newspaper".
14. (1906). "Census of the State of Florida...1905". Capital Pub. Co..
15. "About Us: History". City of Clearwater.
16. "US Newspaper Directory". Library of Congress.
17. [[Florida Legislature. (2001). "Overview of Municipal Incorporations in Florida".
18. "Movie Theaters in Clearwater, FL". Cinema Treasures LLC.
19. (1964). "Yearbook of Radio and Television". Radio Television Daily.
20. "City of Clearwater, Florida Home Page".
21. "United States of America: Florida". Official City Sites.
22. "Clearwater city, Florida". U.S. Census Bureau.
23. (2011). "City of Clearwater". 2010 Census Detailed City Profiles.
24. Civic Impulse, LLC. "Members of Congress". [[GovTrack.us.
25. Martinez, Gina. (July 25, 2018). "A Fatal Shooting Is Sparking New Debate About Florida's Stand Your Ground Law. It Could Be Even Harder to Prosecute This Time".
26. (February 12, 2011). "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". [[United States Census Bureau]].
27. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Clearwater city, Florida". [[United States Census Bureau]].
28. Girard, Steven. (November 17, 2008). "Clearwater Develops A Downtown Identity".
29. "Downtown Clearwater boosters celebrate area's progress".
30. "Clearwater to kick off Memorial Day weekend with Fourth Friday parade, festivities".
31. "Tony's Pizzeria & Ristorante moving west in downtown Clearwater".
32. "Downtown Clearwater".
33. (November 2008). "Cleveland Street District Directory".
34. [https://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/clearwater/florida/united-states/usfl0866 "Climate Clearwater – Florida"]. U.S. Climate Data. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
35. "Weather Clearwater, Florida".
36. "Monthly Weather Forecast and Climate - Clearwater, Florida". Weather Atlas.
37. "United States Census Bureau".
38. "P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Clearwater city, Florida".
39. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Clearwater city, Florida".
40. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Clearwater city, Florida".
41. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Clearwater city, Florida".
42. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Clearwater city, Florida".
43. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Clearwater city, Florida".
44. "Data Center Results".
45. "Employment in the Clearwater Region - Clearwater Regional Chamber {{!}} Clearwater, FL".
46. "Clearwater, FL".
47. (March 8, 2012). "The 10 Best Places to Retire".
48. "Clearwater Arts Foundation".
49. Guzzo, Paul. (March 16, 2021). "Clearwater's Capitol Theatre, which hosted vaudeville and maybe Jesus, turns 100".
50. New Capitol Theatre Finished and Opened, ''The Clearwater News'', March 24, 1921
51. "National Register of Historical Places - FLORIDA (FL), Pinellas County". Nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com.
52. "St. Petersburg Times - Old homes may find a place in history".
53. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=G6kLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xlQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4203,3652567&dq=john-phillipoff Personals]. ''The Evening Independent''. December 26, 1923
54. "The Evening Independent - Invitation Accepted".
55. "St. Petersburg Times - Clearwater Swept By Furious Storm".
56. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mRgMAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iVoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6286,8176267&dq=clearwater+capitol+movie+houses+were "Old Days: Movie Houses Were King"], ''St. Petersburg Times''. April 8, 1981.
57. "St. Petersburg Times - Two more shops open along Cleveland street".
58. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=N_oNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GXsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7011,6907944&dq=clearwater+royalty "Royalty Can Start Renovating New Home Now That Papers Are Signed"], ''St. Petersburg Times''. September 30, 1981.
59. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hvoNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QXsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5602,2478432&dq=scott+musheff+theater+clearwater "Royalty Theatre Off To Good Start At Capitol With Oliver"], ''St. Petersburg Times'', December 3, 1981.
60. "The Evening Independent - Canadian Man Arrested In Theater Murder Case".
61. "Clearwater negotiating to buy old Royalty Theatre building".
62. (April 3, 2012). "Renderings reveal Capitol Theatre plans".
63. "Our History: A Century of Service: Checking Out the History of the Clearwater Library". City of Clearwater, Florida.
64. "Library Launches MakerSpaces".
65. "About PPLC".
66. "Dolphin Tale Set".
67. "Phillies Spring Training Information".
68. "Moccasin Lake Nature Park - An Environmental and Energy Education Center".
69. "Aquatics".
70. "Government".
71. "Clearwater Airpark {{!}} City of Clearwater, FL".
72. "PSTA Historical Fact". Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority.
73. (December 5, 2022). "Kirstie Alley, Emmy-winning 'Cheers' star and Clearwater resident, dies at 71". Tampa Bay Times.
74. Mooneyham, Mike. (October 5, 2013). "TNA star Austin Aries more than a wrestler".
75. "Jeff Attinella".
76. "Forbes says Spanx's Sara Blakely, of Clearwater, is world's youngest self-made female billionaire".
77. Choreographer Comes Home – Donald Byrd Says the World Opened up for Him in the Tampa Bay Area, Where He First Discovered Dance," by John Fleming, ''[[Tampa Bay Times]],'' October 10, 1999, pps. 1F & 6F (accessible ''via'' Newspapers.com; subscription required)
78. "Ricky Carmichael Biography".
79. "Ken Climo - 11 time PDGA World Champion".
80. "Chick Corea, jazz legend and longtime Clearwater resident, dies at 79".
81. "Tom Cruise's New Florida Penthouse Near Scientology Headquarters Features 'Pool Garden and Kitchen'".
82. [https://hokiesports.com/news/2023/5/11/jared-frayer-inducted-into-florida-wrestling-hall-of-fame.aspx Hard Frayer inducted into Florida Wrestling Hall of Fame]. ''hokiesports.com''. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
83. "Raquel Gibson".
84. Maxwell, Elissa. (March 15, 2018). "Joseph Woodrow Hatchett (1932- )".
85. "Hulk Hogan downsizes into $3.3 million mansion on tony stretch of Clearwater Beach".
86. "Howard Johnson Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History".
87. "Hillsborough: Knievel, rapper eye mediation".
88. Croson, Curtis. "Clark Mills And The Dunedin Woodwright - The boatbuilder and workshop that impacted and revolutionized sailing throughout the world.".
89. "Secretary of Homeland Security: Who Is Kirstjen Nielsen?".
90. "Northpinellas: Manse with celebrity ties hits market".
91. Trust, Dick. (June 24, 2022). "Gary Puckett to play Casino Ballroom this weekend in the Happy Together Tour".
92. Fox, Margalit. (July 10, 2011). "Jimmy Roselli, Italian-American Singer, Dies at 85 (Published 2011)". The New York Times.
93. "Woodstock singer Melanie wants a new home in Tampa Bay. All she needs is the key.".
94. "Juliet Simms - Scientology Service Completions | Truth About Scientology Statistics Project".
95. (December 27, 2012). "Clearwater's Juliet Simms riding wave of support since "The Voice"". [[The Tampa Tribune]].
96. Garisto, Julie. "Clearwater rocker Juliet Simms finds her Voice".
97. (February 26, 2025). "Lazar Stefanovic signs with Toronto FC".
98. "Business: Hooters' founder blames ex-friend".
99. "Elsie Thompson, country's oldest person, dies in Clearwater".
100. "Official Church of Scientology Video: Religious Mecca, Flag Land Base".
101. McManus, Tracey. (October 20, 2019). "How Scientology doubled its downtown Clearwater footprint in 3 years".
102. McManus, Tracey. (April 4, 2024). "$58M sale extends Scientologists' control of downtown Clearwater". Tampa Bay Times.
103. Leiby, Richard. (November 3, 1979). "Scientologists plot city takeover". Clearwater Sun.
104. (December 5, 1975). "SECRET POWER PROJECT : 3 NORMANDY Ref. GO Order 261175 LRH "POWER" Target 3".
105. Mark Bunker. (November 1, 2012). "Scientology: Gabe Cazares Interview".
106. "Mayor Cazares Handling Project".
107. "Speedy Gonzalez".
108. "Northpinellas: For the disadvantaged and against Scientology".
109. "Sister Cities Program".
110. "Sister Cities - Kalamaria, Greece".
111. "Florida Sister Cities".
112. "Sister Cities Program".
113. Farley, Robert. (July 18, 2004). "Scientology's Town". [[St. Petersburg Times]].
114. Hellmann, Paul T.. (2006). "Historical Gazetteer of the United States". Taylor & Francis.