Question: Which Florida city was incorporated on February 12, 1887, and later became famous for its sponge industry and Greek heritage?
Answer: Tarpon Springs
The City of Tarpon Springs is located on the Anclote River, less than a mile from the Gulf. Its name was inspired by the tarpon, a fish abundant in the waters around the city during the late 19th century.
The founding of the commercial sponge industry in 1890 changed Tarpon Springs forever. Around 1849, spongers in the Keys organized a commercial sponging operation, using long poles with grapples to harvest the sponges.
It was, however, the Greek immigrants who expanded and refined sponging in the area. The individual responsible for the Greek involvement was John Corcoris, who arrived in Tarpon in 1896 as a sponge buyer for a New York firm.
