The Tarpon Springs Greektown area is the epitome of a Greek American traditional cultural property. For local Greek Americans, it is a place of great significance in terms of its tenacious continuity of traditional culture, extensive Greek infrastructure, and also because it is the focal point for Greek culture for the region and the only Greek community based on the sponge industry. Tarpon Springs has been a traditional Greek community since 1905-when Greeks first immigrated to the town in large numbers. Greek identity is expressed and reinforced through a wide array of everyday activities and special events. It is reflected in the area's built environment, architectural ornamentation, boats, occupations, music and dance in restaurants or embedded in community events, social or regional organizations, rites of passage, beliefs, family values, foodways, sacred and secular events, and religious practices. Moreover, tourism -- the city's economic engine-is primarily cultural tourism focusing on Greek heritage and the sponge industry. The two religious structures, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral and St. Michael Shrine, are integral to the practice of traditional culture in the district.
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