Route #2 — Maximo Point · Gulfport · Safety Harbor · Lake Magdalene

The second route of Discovering Florida explores the western edge of Tampa Bay, passing through former coastal settlements, redeveloped industrial areas, and communities that grew around maritime and railroad transportation. The route connects Maximo Point, in St. Petersburg, with historic enclaves such as Gulfport and Safety Harbor, following the complex geography of Old Tampa Bay.

Along the way, the route crosses areas originally inhabited by the Tocobaga people, whose presence left behind numerous archaeological sites that have nearly vanished beneath modern urban development. Safety Harbor, one of the key points of the route, owes its name to the natural springs known in 1539 by Hernando de Soto as the Springs of the Holy Spirit, which were considered sacred for centuries.

The landscape alternates between ports, waterfront parks, former industrial zones, and residential areas that emerged during the urban boom of the twentieth century. This route offers a clear view of how the expansion of Tampa Bay transformed a territory shaped by water, trade, and the ongoing tension between development and conservation.

The complete route and its historical context are included in Discovering Florida – Volume 1.