In the ‘70s while PCS at MacDill AFB, we used to kayak and canoe down the Hillsboro River. We would put-in way north of Temple Terrace (can’t recall exactly) and we would run past Sulphur Springs on our way to downtown where we would end up at the steps at the University of Tampa, Curtis Hixson hall area where we had pick up planned. Hillsboro County used to run airboats up and down the Hillsboro river back then and it was old-school Florida type canoeing…with fun times all around great memories growing up. Thanks for your content as it brought back some great memories.
Went to the springs as a kid and have been in the tower to look went to the tower drive in a lot it was great times I had with my friends memories I will never forget
_What an amazing walking tour video with incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiatic narration, Tampa Coney Island may be gone, but its spirit lives on in the hearts of those who loved it. Thank you for sharing your insight and expertise with the world._
How safe is it in the daytime to walk on the river path? I live in St.Petersburg but work off of Busch Blvd. I've driven by the Water Tower for over 35 yrs now and always wanted to walk around that area, but I've seen so many homeless hanging out in the area I'm a little leery.
@tagyouritification on that Sunday morning, it felt fine. There actually was a homeless couple fishing there that I spoke to (not drugged, just down on luck having had their rent spiked beyond what they could afford and were temporarily living there). They were very pleasant. One of them didn't want to be on video, so I obliged. A few blocks east has an area known for drugs, etc., but I think the park is safe enough at least during daylight, at least based on how I felt the two times I've been there.
I remember seeing the tower as a kid but I never knew anything about it. We definitely went to the drive in near it a few times. I must’ve been 6 or 7. Thanks for the video man. Sub’d!
I’m 55 years old now born in Plant City and raised between their and Tampa. I remember I was probably 8 or 9 years old going to the drive in and going into tower with older brother and friends. We climbed the spiral stairs a ways but didn’t go all the way to top.
I used to work at the Sulphur Springs harbor club, which stood adjacent to the water tower. It burned down in 2013. That place was very creepy and had a shady past.
thanks i moved to Tampa in 73 i remember this there was a dive shop near to refill tanks it was clean there then it for sure fell apart i worked on waters Ave near springs
The spring as a place to swim remained open until the late 70's, I think, when a young boy drown. The city closed the spring for swimming after that and it has never reopened. They did build a pool that served as a place to swim, but it's had its problems over the years.
I've lived in Tampa for over 20 years, and unfortunately, except for a few exceptions, most of the 5 mi radius of this Tower is run down and left behind. It's a shame that Tampa has so many missed opportunities. Maybe one day they will prioritize this large area of North Tampa and Sulphur Springs. Right now it's just downright depressing. Some people will say Seminole Heights is nice and there are several blocks that are, but most of it is grunge. Well at least there's potential.
I vaguely remember the Arcade because I was probably less than 10 years old when we visited it. I remember that we bought sea monkeys there. This was in the early 70s.
I’m really happy you made the video - however this was never Florida’s most popular tourist attraction, not even the most popular in Tampa Bay in its heyday. Also it is extremely unsafe to walk on Nebraska like that 😂
I read on another historic site that it was the death of two or three caused by an amoeba that caused the closure of the spring. As needful of a water supply for growing Tampa you would think the city would invest in reclaiming and cleaning up this spring and property and utilizing it for advantage. Where does all that revenue Tampa water generates that they can not invest in a free water source that just needs some attention and vision.
Temple terrace is a city in the city of tampa surrounding it!! We had a budwiser brewery on busch blvd. Lots of high paying jobs and the water was an issue! The city lost, they moved to atlanta, ga.
Just came across your channel. I always wonder what is the history of that tower when I see it off of I-275. I have never liked the name Sulphur Springs. Sulphur smells terrible, and it makes me think of water that smells like farts.❤
I'm not against tourism but not everything needs to be somebody else's. Why can't it be a nice park for the people that live here? Why can't it be a flood mitigation system or hydroelectric type of thing that would be good for the community. Save the nature because it doesn't need to be more concrete.
Run for it Marty! This is what democrat leadership looks like! Tis why everyone left the City of Tampa in the early 70's and moved to unincorporated Hillsborough County! The locals rule of thumb... Never be caught south of Busch BLVD after dark.
I grew up here in Tampa. I'm 76. I used to hang out with my friends at the pool. Great times. Sulphur Springs is now the most crime infested violent place in Tampa thanks to a certain race of people. Let's see how long YouT keeps this comment. The truth hurts don't it.
In the ‘70s while PCS at MacDill AFB, we used to kayak and canoe down the Hillsboro River. We would put-in way north of Temple Terrace (can’t recall exactly) and we would run past Sulphur Springs on our way to downtown where we would end up at the steps at the University of Tampa, Curtis Hixson hall area where we had pick up planned. Hillsboro County used to run airboats up and down the Hillsboro river back then and it was old-school Florida type canoeing…with fun times all around great memories growing up.
Thanks for your content as it brought back some great memories.
It's sad that the springs are blocked off now. As a kid I used to swim in the springs.
Went to the springs as a kid and have been in the tower to look went to the tower drive in a lot it was great times I had with my friends memories I will never forget
_What an amazing walking tour video with incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiatic narration, Tampa Coney Island may be gone, but its spirit lives on in the hearts of those who loved it. Thank you for sharing your insight and expertise with the world._
Thank you for the kind words. I really appreciate it.
How safe is it in the daytime to walk on the river path?
I live in St.Petersburg but work off of Busch Blvd. I've driven by the Water Tower for over 35 yrs now and always wanted to walk around that area, but I've seen so many homeless hanging out in the area I'm a little leery.
@tagyouritification on that Sunday morning, it felt fine. There actually was a homeless couple fishing there that I spoke to (not drugged, just down on luck having had their rent spiked beyond what they could afford and were temporarily living there). They were very pleasant. One of them didn't want to be on video, so I obliged. A few blocks east has an area known for drugs, etc., but I think the park is safe enough at least during daylight, at least based on how I felt the two times I've been there.
I remember seeing the tower as a kid but I never knew anything about it. We definitely went to the drive in near it a few times. I must’ve been 6 or 7. Thanks for the video man. Sub’d!
Thanks. I appreciate that.
I’m 55 years old now born in Plant City and raised between their and Tampa. I remember I was probably 8 or 9 years old going to the drive in and going into tower with older brother and friends. We climbed the spiral stairs a ways but didn’t go all the way to top.
I used to work at the Sulphur Springs harbor club, which stood adjacent to the water tower. It burned down in 2013. That place was very creepy and had a shady past.
Family used to hang out there in the early 70's.... thanks for the video
Weird this popped up in my algorithm, I drove passed it and had a whole conversation about what it used to be. 👀
the city needs to invest in this landmark, get the area cleaned up, and get rid of some of those disgusting parking lots.
There used to be a five and dime store , and old 2-story wood building, we used to climb that water tower in the sixties
thanks i moved to Tampa in 73 i remember this there was a dive shop near to refill tanks it was clean there then it for sure fell apart i worked on waters Ave near springs
Great video! I never heard of this history before. Thanks for the tour and knowledge.
@@FLStelth Thank you.
The spring as a place to swim remained open until the late 70's, I think, when a young boy drown. The city closed the spring for swimming after that and it has never reopened. They did build a pool that served as a place to swim, but it's had its problems over the years.
My wife, and I, use to watch movies at the Tower Drive In over 40 years ago.
The Leaning tower of Tampa!!
I've lived in Tampa for over 20 years, and unfortunately, except for a few exceptions, most of the 5 mi radius of this Tower is run down and left behind. It's a shame that Tampa has so many missed opportunities. Maybe one day they will prioritize this large area of North Tampa and Sulphur Springs. Right now it's just downright depressing. Some people will say Seminole Heights is nice and there are several blocks that are, but most of it is grunge. Well at least there's potential.
GREAT JOB !
@@jomama5186 thanks
I vaguely remember the Arcade because I was probably less than 10 years old when we visited it. I remember that we bought sea monkeys there. This was in the early 70s.
Used to go there as a kid. Mid to late 1970s. I hope you're armed walking through these sketch parts of town.
Ok that was pretty fantastic!
@@andrewdeweerd461 thank you
I didn't know about any of that, been wondering what the tower was about when driving by. Thanks
The area went dark!!
I’m really happy you made the video - however this was never Florida’s most popular tourist attraction, not even the most popular in Tampa Bay in its heyday. Also it is extremely unsafe to walk on Nebraska like that 😂
The 2nd mineral rich spring is in Warm Mineral Springs , Florida
Its open to the public! Its near North Port, Florida
AWSOME VIDEO THANKS
@@hconnell4177 Thanks
I read on another historic site that it was the death of two or three caused by an amoeba that caused the closure of the spring. As needful of a water supply for growing Tampa you would think the city would invest in reclaiming and cleaning up this spring and property and utilizing it for advantage. Where does all that revenue Tampa water generates that they can not invest in a free water source that just needs some attention and vision.
Temple terrace is a city in the city of tampa surrounding it!! We had a budwiser brewery on busch blvd. Lots of high paying jobs and the water was an issue! The city lost, they moved to atlanta, ga.
It goes to 6 mile creek or also called the by-pass canal !!
see @youtube this is one time your algo got it right
It may be fenced because of the amount of alligators in that river ?
No, alligators won't bother you. Druggies will.
Just came across your channel. I always wonder what is the history of that tower when I see it off of I-275. I have never liked the name Sulphur Springs. Sulphur smells terrible, and it makes me think of water that smells like farts.❤
I know the guy who owns that Theatre. Lol
Why did they start locking the board walk ? Same at lowry park ?
Tampa Parks and Rec isn't investing in the repairs needed so they "fence it off".
Probably alligators in there.
Yes ma'am! I've been on that river !
--Most definitely!
I'm not against tourism but not everything needs to be somebody else's. Why can't it be a nice park for the people that live here? Why can't it be a flood mitigation system or hydroelectric type of thing that would be good for the community. Save the nature because it doesn't need to be more concrete.
As usual, because of lawyers, modern people can look at marvels from afar, but cannot use or enjoy anything.
This spring is polluted !!
Whatta shame !
Run for it Marty! This is what democrat leadership looks like! Tis why everyone left the City of Tampa in the early 70's and moved to unincorporated Hillsborough County! The locals rule of thumb... Never be caught south of Busch BLVD after dark.
never south of Busch and north of Kennedy.
What an incredibly stupid comment...
@@7th_CAV_Trooper Never south of Kennedy either!
2nd richest in the world!!
Dude. you have a keen sense of boring.
Until they moved in...
I grew up here in Tampa. I'm 76. I used to hang out with my friends at the pool. Great times. Sulphur Springs is now the most crime infested violent place in Tampa thanks to a certain race of people. Let's see how long YouT keeps this comment. The truth hurts don't it.
Usual suspects move in and the area goes to 💩