By the early 1900s, the land had become commonly known as Tate’s Island.
Tate’s first task was to build a dwelling for himself and his wife Leola Rogers. He borrowed $450 for building materials, pledging the island as collateral. The house Tate built was the only one on the island. It stood where the Hilton is today.
According to an account by Leola Tate’s niece, Margaret Mason, life on Tate’s Island was an adventure. The only means of reaching the island were sailboat, rowboat or swimming. Some did swim the channel, she claims.
The biggest adventure was a traumatic one that led to the Tates leaving their island paradise. A hurricane swept in from the Gulf while Tate was away. The account reads, “Leona was so frightened of being washed away, she tied herself to a palm tree while the waves poured through the small cottage.” A day later, a party from Dunedin arrived to rescue her.
The hurricane experience convinced Leona Tate she wanted nothing more to do with Tate’s Island. She refused to go back to the homestead. Ernest Tate gave up his land for the $450 note. The Tates went on to happily live out their days in Clearwater, among friends and relatives in the town of about 400.
Tate’s Island slumbered for a few years thereafter. But its isolation came to an end in 1917 with the opening of a three-mile wooden bridge from the mainland at Seminole Street. Soon, thousands of motoring tourists and aspiring landowners came clanking across to “discover” the island’s lush vistas and fantastic beaches.
In 1924, Tate’s Island became a fading memory when the name was officially changed to Clearwater Beach.
According to Bill Wallace, of the Clearwater Historical Society, the Tate Island name is something of a misnomer. Tate never owned the whole island to begin with, only 164 acres, Wallace points out. However, Ernest Tate was a very noticeable personality and made himself known.
Wallace also notes that around 1900 Clearwater Beach was about half of today
]]>Cheryl Gutherman
]]>Since we specialize in rentals that allow you to create your own home away from home we will be featuring things to do, places to see, and how to get around during your stay. Of course, that is, other than the time you spend relaxing on our famous ?baby powder? beach!
We invite you to go to look at Our blog and hope you find it interesting and informative, whether you live in this area or are planning a beach rental vacation here in Clearwater Beach Florida!
Our staff has called the Clearwater Beach area home for over 20 years. We have taken the pictures on our website and have been to each and every rental. We will let you know our unbiased opinion on each place. With hundreds of rental choices available call 1-800-587-0141 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-587-0141 end_of_the_skype_highlighting and we can help you find the perfect place to stay. Ask for Jenni! (Ask for Claudia if you speak German.) Plan to stay awhile? Visit SunStar Real Estate to find active listings in our area.
Why pay hotel rates when you can stay in a condo for rates sometimes as much as 50% less then hotel rates? With the amenities of home, all of our Condos, Houses and most of our Motels come with fully equipped kitchens and are located in the beach community.
Vacation rentals along the Gulf Coast from Clearwater Beach to Madeira Beach. Condos, houses and motels. With book-on-line and rate checker, we are a step above VRBO Florida.
]]>Even while we hope for the best, we recognize the unpredictability of the situation. Our policy is as follows:
If the beach is CLOSED by the proper authorities after your arrival and you chose to leave, you will be refunded the portion of your stay during which the beach was closed up to one week.
If it is CLOSED by the proper authorities before you arrive, and remains closed for your entire stay you will be refunded your deposit.
Here is a view from the experts: “the west coast of Florida from Tampa Bay southwards to the Everglades is at minimal risk of receiving oil from surface currents. There is a “forbidden zone” off the southwest Florida coast where the shape of the coast, bottom configuration, and prevailing winds all act to create upwelling and surface currents that tend to take water away from the coast. This study implies that the greatest risk of land impacts by surface oil caught in the Loop Current is along the ocean side of the Florida Keys, and along the coast of Southeast Florida from Miami to West Palm Beach.” http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=1483
We hope that this will give you the confidence to book with us and enjoy the beauty and fun of our Island.
Florida Beach Rentals
Pictures http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=1484
Prediction http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/book_shelf/2097_SOFM72-2010-05-30-1900.pdf
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We really enjoyed our stay at the condo. We almost canceled due to the oil spill and are so glad we didn’t. Our stay was perfect. We would definitely stay here again. –M.T. |
Date & Time: 08/02/2010 19:27:01]]>
The location was perfect with many things to do for the children all within walking distance. There was putt putt golf across the street, Shepards was incredible dinner buffet on Friday, and the beach was all within walking distance. We loved our stay at Harbor View Grande room 406 and we would recommend it to any family looking for luxury and comfort while vacationing for a week in Clearwater. See detail page
Laura from Michigan
]]>Margaret from Poland, OH
]]>Ruthanne from Galesburg, MI
]]>JoAnn from Bangor, PA
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