Secretary Byrd Designates Avon Park Main Street and Tarpon Springs Main Street as Florida Main Street Programs of the Month

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. –

Today, Secretary of State Cord Byrd announced that Avon Park Main Street, located in Highlands County, and Tarpon Springs Main Street, located in Pinellas County, have been designated the March 2026 Florida Main Street Programs of the Month.

“By reorganizing their Main Street programs, both Avon Park and Tarpon Springs have embraced their historical assets and community charm,” said Secretary of State Cord Byrd. “We look forward to working with Avon Park and Tarpon Springs Main Streets as they begin their journeys to revitalize their downtowns through economic development and historic preservation.”

Avon Park Main Street

Avon Park, founded in 1886 by Oliver Martin Crosby, is the oldest city in Highlands County and an early testament to the pioneering spirit that helped shape the American South. Established during a period when Florida was emerging as a destination for opportunity, health, and adventure, the community was envisioned as a shining example of progress in a growing nation. Originally named Lake Forest, the town was renamed Avon Park in 1886 after Stratford‑upon‑Avon in England, reflecting Crosby’s dream of a picturesque, garden‑style settlement that would attract both settlers and early tourists seeking the natural beauty and warm climate of Central Florida. 

The arrival of the railroad, one of the great engines of American expansion, fueled early growth, connecting Avon Park to travelers, entrepreneurs, and families eager to build new lives. Citrus groves, small businesses, and civic institutions soon flourished, laying the groundwork for the proud, patriotic community known today as the “City of Charm.” 

Avon Park’s historic Main Street stands as a centerpiece of the community, blending heritage with modern energy while honoring the American tradition of vibrant town centers. Originally envisioned as a pedestrian‑friendly gathering place, Main Street quickly became a welcoming stop for early Florida tourists. Today, the district remains a lively hub where local businesses, events, and community life converge. Its distinctive character reflects both the city’s rich past and its forward‑looking spirit, celebrating tradition while serving as a dynamic venue for entertainment, culture, and connection in the heart of Avon Park. 

Photograph provided by Avon Park Main Street

Avon Park Main Street (APMS) was officially reinstated with the support of the City of Avon Park on October 1, 2025, marking a renewed commitment to strengthening and celebrating the historic downtown. This revitalization echoes a long American legacy of community pride and civic stewardship. Since reinstatement, the program has focused on building community energy, increasing foot traffic, and fostering economic vitality through a growing calendar of events and engagement initiatives.  

Signature activities include the monthly Hometown Hangout, a recurring downtown event designed to cultivate nightlife, support local businesses, and create a welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors alike.  

Additional community‑driven events have included the Halloween Spooktacular on Main, Movies on Main (a free outdoor movie experience), a Pickleball Tournament, and multiple Community Chats aimed at encouraging public input, collaboration, and civic participation. APMS is actively pursuing future funding opportunities to expand the city’s historic building inventory; preserve local heritage; and support transformative projects aligned with downtown revitalization, historic preservation, and long‑term economic development goals. 

The reorganization of APMS was driven by both inspiration and necessity. Nearby communities of similar size were experiencing rapid growth, cultivating thriving downtowns, and developing beautiful, active districts which echoes the American ideal of a downtown district that honor their past while embracing progress. The common thread among these successful communities was the presence of a Main Street Program. Avon Park recognized the need for a dedicated organization capable of guiding growth while safeguarding the city’s historic character and the qualities that make it unique. Reinstating APMS became essential to ensuring the city’s progress followed a balanced, strategic path. One that supports economic vitality, encourages thoughtful development, and prioritizes historic preservation. While many could already see and feel the downtown’s potential, APMS provides the structure, vision, and momentum needed to help the community believe in that potential once again, continuing a proud local tradition of resilience, optimism, and civic pride. 

For more information on Avon Park Main Street, follow Avon Park on Facebook.

Tarpon Springs Main Street

When settlers arrived in the Tarpon Springs area in the early 1870s, they were drawn not only by its abundant natural springs and fertile waterways but also by the promise of the American frontier. A place where opportunity, optimism, and the pioneering spirit converged along the Gulf of America. The town was founded as Lake Butler and served as the base of operations for the Lake Butler Villa Company, owned by American industrialist Hamilton Disston, whose investments helped open vast areas of Florida to development and national attention. With the establishment of a post office in 1881, the community signaled its growing permanence, and by 1887 Tarpon Springs was formally incorporated. The arrival of the Orange Belt Railway in the 1880s accelerated progress, transforming the town into a Victorian‑era retreat complete with boarding houses, hotels, and early commercial buildings clustered around Spring Bayou and what would become the historic main street welcoming travelers from across the country eager to experience Florida’s natural beauty. 

In the early 1900s, Greeks arrived and revolutionized the local sponge industry, bringing diving expertise, entrepreneurial drive, and a vibrant cultural heritage that continues to shape the city’s identity today. Their contributions helped shape a thriving maritime economy and led to the establishment of the Greektown Historic District, now designated as a Traditional Cultural Place on the National Register of Historic Places, a national recognition that honors both the community’s heritage and its role in the broader American story. 

Photograph provided by Tarpon Springs Downtown District

Today, the historic main street stands as a living continuation of Tarpon Springs’ legacy of commerce, culture, and community pride. Preserved architecture and original storefronts create an inviting backdrop for independent shops, chef‑driven restaurants, breweries, and creative venues that welcome residents and visitors from across the nation to explore. Tarpon Springs embraces its past while cultivating new traditions through events, collaboration, and entrepreneurship, ensuring that Main Street remains both historically significant and a vibrantly active and enduring symbol of local pride and American small‑town character. 

The Tarpon Springs Downtown District (TSDD) is a newly reorganized Main Street program built on collaboration among small business owners, property owners, and community leaders committed to strengthening their historic downtown core. Rooted in the Main Street Four Point Approach, TSDD focuses on economic vitality, historic preservation, and community activation, values that echo the American commitment to stewardship, civic engagement, and local prosperity. Signature events such as The Longest Table, Music Fest, Downtown Trick‑or‑Treating, and the annual Easter Egg Hunt draw thousands of residents and visitors into downtown Tarpon Springs, supporting local merchants while celebrating the welcoming spirit that has attracted travelers for more than a century. 

As TSDD pursues future state funding opportunities, the goal is to leverage grant resources for façade improvements, beautification projects, preservation efforts, and expanded programming that honors Tarpon Springs’ architectural character while supporting modern entrepreneurship. These efforts ensure that the city’s historic heart continues to thrive, preserving its heritage, strengthening its economy, and celebrating the patriotic spirit and hospitality that have defined Tarpon Springs since its earliest days. 

For more information on Tarpon Springs Downtown District, visit tarponspringsdowntown.com.

To learn more about the Florida Main Street program, visit Florida Main Street or follow on Facebook and Instagram.

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About Florida Main Street

Florida Main Street is a program administered by the Division of Historical Resources under the Florida Department of State, which currently oversees 54 communities throughout the state. By implementing the National Main Street Center’s Four-Point Approach, Florida Main Street encourages economic development within the context of historic preservation through the revitalization of Florida’s downtowns – the community’s heart and soul.