Present-day Clearwater was originally inhabited by the Tocobaga. The U.S. Army began construction of Fort Harrison around 1835 to serve as an during the Second Seminole War. The area, which was then known as Clear Water Harbor, experienced significant growth following the passage of the Federal Armed Occupation Act of 1842, which offered land to settles who would bear arms and cultivate the land. In 1888, the Orange Belt Railway added an extension into Clearwater, adding to the town’s growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1891, the Town of Clearwater was incorporated with James E. Crane as its first mayor. In 1897, Henry B. Plant (1819-1899) built his Belleview Hotel, thus allowing Clearwater to become a popular vacation destination. Clearwater was designated as the county seat for Pinellas County when it seceded from Hillsborough County in 1912. In 1915, Clearwater was a reincorporated as a city in 1915. During World War II, the city became a major training area for American troops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n