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About the same time that Tarpon Springs, Florida, was incorporated as a city (1887), one of its fifty-two residents, John Cheyney, began a sponge-harvesting operation. Sponges had been discovered as early as 1820s in the Florida Keys, and commercial “spongers” had collected sponges there, in Cuba, and in the Bahamas. Their process consisted of using long poles with hooks at the ends to scoop up the sponges from the ocean floor. Fifty years later, turtle fishermen accidentally discovered that the sponges were also plentiful on the west coast of Florida, and Cheyney, who had been looking for a new business venture, decided to build the sponge industry in Tarpon Springs. In 1890, the Cheyney Sponge Company sold almost $1 million of sponges.

Experienced divers were recruited from Greece, and by 1905, 500 Greek sponge divers worked from 50 sponge boats. That same year, Cheyney’s associate, John Corcoris, introduced the first mechanized sponge fishing boat. Divers could now dive deep into the Gulf of Mexico and stay underwater longer, thanks to a special rubberized diving suit and diving helmet with air pumped in from a compressor on the boat.

The divers needed to be fed, of course, so it was natural that Greek restaurants, grocery stores, candy shops, and coffee houses began to spring up in town. Shops opened to sell sponges and other souvenirs to people who came to the docks to watch the sponge boats.

The Sponge Exchange Bank was built in 1906, followed by the Sponge Exchange in 1907. Spongers stored their catch at the exchange to await the auctions that took place twice a week. For a time, sponges were Florida’s main export, even greater than citrus products.

In the 1940s, a blight infested the sponge beds, and many of the sponges died. However, it was the red tide in 1948 that threw the fatal blow. The industry dwindled down and was nearly eliminated by the 1950s. But in the ‘70s and ‘80s, new sponge beds were found, and Tarpon Springs reclaimed its spot as a leader in the natural sponge industry.

Today, the sponge industry is still economically important to Tarpon Springs—to the tune of $2 million per year. More importantly, the sponges draw tourists to the city, stimulating a $20-million-per-year tourist economy. Tourists can take a boat ride on a sponging vessel and learn all about the sponging industry and the history of Tarpon Springs, then enjoy Greek food and shopping along the waterfront.

The Greek population is still thriving as well. Most of the sponge boat owners are descendants of Tarpon Springs’ original Greek immigrants. As a result, Tarpon Springs has the highest percentage of Greek-American citizens of any U.S. city.

Students who live and go to school in the region should consider hiring a Tarpon Springs tutor to learn more about the city’s unique history. Tutoring in Tarpon Springs is a smart idea for students who want to enjoy all their city has to offer.