09.24.2024

Today’s Forecast

🎶 Water tower, like a lighthouse in a storm

A brief history of the Sulphur Springs Water Tower

The Sulphur Springs Water Tower protrudes from trees on the right of the screen. A luscious green canopy is bisected by the Hillsborough River, running off into the distance. We are positioned high up, looking toward a setting sun in the west and a partially cloudy sky.

Yet another great spot to enjoy a Tampa Bay sunset. | Screenshot via Google Streetview

We’ve all seen it. That white lighthouse-esque cylinder protruding from the tree canopy while driving along I-275. But what’s the story behind the Sulphur Springs Water Tower?

We investigated the landmark for some brief snippets into its fascinating life.

Before the climb

Before the tower, came the springs —sulphuric ones. About six miles due north of downtown Tampa, the Hillsborough River winds through a cacophony of mangroves, Spanish moss, and sabal palm trees. That’s where historians believe the Tocobaga tribe of Native Americans once bathed in the river’s spring waters, thought to contain healing properties.

In the late 1800s, a businessman named John Mills bought ~100 acres of land around the springs in 1898. Development soon followed: a hotel, baths, a swimming pool, and a restaurant. The area became a rural vacation hotspot for well-to-do families looking to escape the hustle and bustle of increasingly rushed urban life.

An up-close shot of the top of the Sulphur Springs Water Tower. We are facing north, and Florida Avenue stretches into the distance. The top of the rounded white tower has some holes throughout it, a viewing platform around the tower, and some rust-colored water marks down its walls. — The tower is 21 stories tall.
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Photo via Wikimedia Commons

But when Josiah Richardson bought the land from Mills in 1906 (for a whopping $10,000), the area began to rapidly grow. While travelers continued to bathe in the waters for perceived medical purposes, including kidney disease, Richardson soon installed a range of recreational activities. Revelers enjoyed an arcade, indoor shopping center, popular alligator farm + water slide. The secret was out, and Sulphur Springs became a national vacation destination during the Florida land boom of the 1920s.

Towering high

In 1927, the Sulphur Springs Water Tower was built to keep up with the area’s growing demand. It pumped artesian well water to serve the area’s residential and commercial real estate.

A view of the Sulphur Springs Water Tower from i-275. The thin white structure looks like a lighthouse as it protrudes from a large green canopy. There is mostly blue sky above. — The tower is visible from I-275.
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Screenshot via Google Streetview

Richardson paid for the tower with the help of big bank loans, and it took just eight days to build. Imagine that. More water was needed to fund local infrastructure, by that point named Sulphur Springs Hotel and Apartments + Maves Arcade.

Unfortunately for Richardson, the 214-ft tower was one of his final projects in the neighborhood.

What happened next?

Asked

What else happened in 1927 in Tampa Bay?

A. The Tampa Bay Hotel reopened as the University of Tampa
B. St. Petersburg was incorporated
C. The Floridan Palace Hotel was built
D. The Davis Causeway (now the Courtney Campbell Parkway) was finished

Take a guess

Events

Tuesday, Sept. 24

Channel District Paw~Fee Break | Tuesday, Sept. 24 | 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Washington Street Park, Tampa | Free | Paws for a moment during your work day with other downtown Tampa dog parents.
Workshop: Botanical Printmaking | Tuesday, Sept. 24 | 6-8 p.m. | The Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg | $30+ | Join folks from Boyd Hill Nature Preserve to craft your own monotype print using pressed native flowers, stencils, and gelli rollers.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Carolina Hurricanes | Tuesday, Sept. 24 | 7 p.m. | Amalie Arena | $17+ | It’s time to pack Amalie for the Bolts’ first preseason game ahead of the 2024-2025 NHL season.

Wednesday, Sept. 25

Staind & Breaking Benjamin with Daughtry | Wednesday, Sept. 25 | 5:30 p.m. | MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre | $17+ | Rock out to nostalgic hits from the trio of American rock bands at this laid-back outdoor venue.
Simply Sinatra | Wednesday, Sept. 25 | 6-7:15 p.m. | The Birchwood Hotel, St. Petersburg | $30 | Spend a night under the spell of Ol’ Blue Eyes’ tunes at the downtown St. Pete hotel.
Yoga & Yawns on the Lawn | Wednesday, Sept. 25 | 6-8 p.m. | Midtown Tampa, Tampa | Free | Get a midweek boost with a guided flow, free snacks, and wellness goodies.

Thursday, Sept. 26

The 1888 Hotel Porch Party | Thursday, Sept. 26 | 6-8 p.m. | The 1888 Hotel, St. Petersburg | $20 | Take in the renovated historic Hotel Hillcrest over snacks and drinks at Preserve the Burg’s first event of the season.
Fall Pumpkin Flower Arrangement Workshop | Thursday, Sept. 26 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | 7401 4th St. North, St. Petersburg | $65+ | Make your own fall floral arrangement inside a real pumpkin that you get to pick and carve yourself.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Weather

Time to get prepped. The National Hurricane Center is watching a storm system that will likely become a hurricane when it gets to the Gulf of Mexico tomorrow. Forecasters predict the storm could grow to a major hurricane + TBAY could be in the path. (Tampa Bay Times)

Civic

Gov. Ron Desantis put Hillsborough, Pinellas, and 35+ other counties under a state of emergency Monday afternoon ahead of the potential storm. The system is expected to hit the west coast of Florida + its “impact will likely extend well beyond its center,” according to a release. (Tampa Bay Times)

Show

Rise Up St. Pete is returning for a second year. Organizers just announced plans for this year’s music festival on the St. Pete Pier. The Friday night concert series kicks off Sept. 26 and runs on various weekends through March 13. The lineup features artists like Mason Ramsey and William Clark Green.

Opening

Welcome back. Mema’s Alaskan Tacos is returning to Ybor city this fall after closing 10+ years ago. The beloved eatery hasn’t announced an opening date yet, but the North 19th Street location will serve the same menu items like Gator Tacoritos + shrimp and beef-stuffed tacos. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Announced

Once a Buc, always a Buc. Tom Brady is returning to Tampa for this weekend’s faceoff against the Philadelphia Eagles, but this time he’ll be in the booth. Brady will announce this Sunday’s 1 p.m. game in his new role with Fox. Tickets are still available. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Sports

Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort is adding a new tourney to its lineup. This December, the Palm Harbor club will host the Pro Rivals Open, featuring stars like Jerome Bettis, John Smoltz, and other retired professional athletes. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Try This

We can’t let her birth certificate stay unfinished. Busch Gardens recently celebrated the birth of a southern white rhino calf — and now they need your help naming the 100-lb baby. Cast your vote for your fave name. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Plan Ahead

The Burg’s Brewery Battle is fast approaching. Beer aficionados can buy into the battle for $30 — each pass includes a beer at 18 local breweries during the month of October + a free beer flight for signing up for the app. (I Love the Burg)

Sports

Introducing the Lightning’s new groove. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Lightning with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Try This

Offline is Tampa Bay’s premier restaurant discovery club. Get money off your tab at locally owned restaurants when you sign up for your first month free with code OFFLINE6AM.*

Biz

Advertising doesn’t need to be complicated. Our self-service portal puts your message in front of 56,945+ local eyes in as little as five minutes. See how easy it is to grow.

Food

Feels like 90°, smells like 65°

Sip on these fall drinks across Tampa Bay area

A bottle pours brown-hued syrup into a takeout coffee cup with a sleeve reading Spaddy's Coffee Co. A coffee machine and other lights shine in the background.

Give us all the pumpkin, please. | Photo via @spaddyscoffee

With the arrival of the Autumn Equinox, fall is officially here. And the Tampa Bay weather seems to have somewhat gotten the memo, as we’re seeing some slightly less sweltering temps.

Embrace the changing of the seasons with one of these cozy local drinks:

Sorry Starbucks, we prefer our PSLs locally made. Spaddys’ serves it up with a house-made syrup + in a festive Smokey the Bear cup.
Head to Grove for a cornucopia of fall specials including a pumpkin pie latte, spiced vanilla latte, blueberry maple matcha latte, cran-apple harvest punch, and peach tea shaker for those summer-esque days.
This one’s for the pumpkin spice latte haters. Kahwa’s new F*#% Pumpkin Spice Latte gives pecan pie vibes with spiced brown sugar + buttered pecan flavors.
Bandit’s classic maple bourbon latte is back — made with Kentucky bourbon and Vermont maple.

The Buy

The Buy 9.24.24 (Affiliate)

This Halloween ghost coffee mug — it’s a great “thinking of you” gift for a friend this fall, or a sweet way to add cheer + seasonal flair to your own coffee ritual.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Bailey

From the editor

If we’re anything alike, you might also have Cuban sandwiches — and their origin — on the mind. We’re in luck. MOSI is hosting its popular Science of the Cuban Sandwich event this Saturday, Sept. 28. And yes, you get to chow down on plenty of samples.

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