Safety Harbor site facts for kids
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Safety Harbor site
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Looking down from the top of the site
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | Safety Harbor, Florida |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000270 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | July 19, 1964 |
The Safety Harbor site is an important archaeological site found in Philippe Park in Safety Harbor, Florida. This site is special because it gives its name to the Safety Harbor culture, an ancient group of people. It also has the biggest remaining mound in the Tampa Bay area. In 1964, it was named a National Historic Landmark, meaning it's a very important historical place.
Contents
What is the Safety Harbor Site?
The Safety Harbor site is a main part of Philippe Park. It includes a large temple mound, a smaller burial mound, and two shell middens. Shell middens are ancient piles of shells and other trash left by people long ago.
The Big Temple Mound
The main temple mound is shaped like a circle. It is about 150 feet (46 meters) wide and 20 feet (6 meters) tall. The top of the mound is a flat area, about 100 by 50 feet (30 by 15 meters). This mound was built in layers, with shells and sand stacked one after another.
Archaeologists have found holes at the top of the mound. These holes suggest that a building once stood there. It might have been a home for important leaders or a temple for ceremonies. They also found layers of clay, which might have been used for different purposes.
Visiting the Site
Today, visitors can explore the Safety Harbor site during the day. Besides the mounds, Philippe Park has walking paths, picnic spots, and a boat ramp. You can also go fishing or enjoy the beautiful views.
Who Lived at Safety Harbor?
Early Spanish explorers who came to Florida wrote about this site. They said it was the main city of the Tocobaga people. These people lived here long before Europeans arrived.
Why the Site Was Left Empty
When the Spanish explorers met the Tocobaga people, they likely brought new diseases. These diseases were very dangerous to the native population. Many people died, and because of this, the site was probably left empty by the year 1700.
Discovering the Past
People first noticed the site's historical importance around 1880. However, the first official digs by archaeologists didn't happen until 1929. Over the years, archaeologists carefully dug up the area. They even fully explored a nearby burial mound.
The local county bought the land in 1948. Since then, more studies have been done to learn about this amazing place.
Connections to Other Cultures
The Safety Harbor site is the most southern place in Florida that shows signs of the Mississippian culture. This was a large Native American culture in the central and southeastern United States. Pottery found at the site is similar to pottery from the Fort Walton culture, another group living at the same time.
See also
In Spanish: Sitio Safety-Harbor para niños
