Historic Background of Pinellas County
Have you ever wondered how Pinellas County developed into the thriving county it is today?
The Pinellas County Historical Background provides a natural and cultural history of Pinellas County. It also serves as support to protect and restore our natural and cultural heritage through the Pinellas County Comprehensive Plan.
Discover how our peninsula’s growth and development have been shaped by major historical, political and economic events and activities in the past. Learn what brought people to Pinellas, how the county transitioned from countryside to cities and suburbs, and the challenges of urbanization.
The publication breaks the county’s history into several major periods:
- Early History: Pre-Columbian Era to 1880
- Period of Transition: 1880-1900
- Early 20th Century: 1900-1920
- Boom, Bus and Depression: 1920-1940
- World War II – 1970
- Continued Growth: 1990-2006
- Pinellas County: 1990-2006
From the area’s Native American cultures, dating back thousands of years, to the county’s secession from Hillsborough County in 1912, and on to the rapid urbanization following the 1950s, this publication is the perfect introduction to Pinellas County’s rich history.