2 minute read
APOLLO BEACH, FL
APOLLO BEACH
IIn 1957, shopping center developer Francis J. Corr bought the land where Apollo Beach is today from Paul Dickman. Corr constructed a Holiday Inn along the beach where Apollo Beach Boulevard, also known as "The Boulevard," meets Surfside Boulevard. This area is now a empty fenced lot waiting for the next investor to come along. Interestingly, the connection from the beachfront to US Hwy 41 was not completed until 1967. Corr renamed the area "La Vida Beach." Legend has it that in 1958 Corr's wife Dorothy suggested renaming it Apollo Beach to acknowledge the area's greatest benefit—sunshine.
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Legend has it that in 1958 Corr's wife Dorothy suggested a new name, Apollo Beach, for the area's greatest benefit—sunshine.
Today, the sun is still shining but there is little physical evidence to make the connection between the community and the Greek god of the sun. An illustration of Apollo with his chariot is on the street sign marking the entrance to one of The Boulevard's many restaurants. Driving West from US Hwy 41 takes you past local shops, small eateries, business offices, storage facilities, salons and, most importantly, some of SouthShore's most popular restaurants and entertainment establishments. All of SouthShore is awaiting a new addition to the mix with the anticipated opening of a newcomer in the new year. It will give the other ones some competition, but scuttlebutt is that the new waterfront eatery is welcomed because it will create some excitement and bring more visitors to the area. Turn right at the end of The Boulevard and you'll end up at the Apollo Beach Nature Preserve, a popular two-acre sandy beach, with a new observation tower. This is not a swimming beach. According to an article in the Osprey Observer, SouthShore has 55 miles of interconnected navigable canals with an average depth of seven feet in the center. The canals are lined with docks for sail and motor boats belonging to the mix of
Aerial Photo by Justin Figueroa / PowerFigure Productions
Apollo Beach Boulevard looking to Tampa Bay.
Aerial Photo by Justin Figueroa
single family, condo and apartment residences. Just to the North of The Boulevard is the Manatee Viewing Center at Tampa Electric Company's Big Bend Power Station. To the South you'll find an 18-hole championship golf course. After Corr died, his sons took over and began a series of developments throughout Apollo Beach including Miraset and Mira Bay. New homes and developments are popping up everywhere these days, a clear indication that Apollo Beach is a growing and vibrant residential community. Apollo must be pleased.
Apollo, Greek god of the Sun, and namesake of Apollo Beach, FL
