Spring Hill, FL
Although Spring Hill in Hernando County, Florida, is a census-designated place (CDP) and an unincorporated area, it is a planned community founded in 1968 and appeared on Florida maps as early as 1856. It is a popular destination for those residents who seek a quiet and friendly suburban life, peaceful surroundings with low noise levels, more affordable property values, and yet have the benefit of a large number of business chains. Its proximity to and considered part of the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro area approximately 35 miles to the south makes those bigger city amenities, entertainment, and attractions readily available. Spring Hill is the largest town in population north of Tampa.
Being in Florida's Nature Coast means that Spring Hill is in an area of close to a million acres where you can discover the "real Florida" of dense forests, prairies, and blackwater rivers and enjoy fishing, kayaking, bird watching, trail hiking, bicycling, and various other activities.
The original development's main entrance is marked by the Spring Hill waterfall on Spring Hill Drive and US Route 19 (Commercial Way). The community is pedestrian-friendly as many homeowners live within walking distance of one of about 40 supermarkets and a small selection of restaurants and coffee shops.
There is a total area of 62.2 square miles, which is 59.8 square miles of land and 2.4 square miles of water. The housing is composed mostly of single detached two-bedroom and three-bedroom homes and townhouses. Owners occupy about three-quarters of them and renters occupy the remainder. The median year of construction was 1992.
The 100,000-square-foot Spring Hill Campus of Pasco–Hernando State College was the fourth campus constructed of the five now existing. There are three accredited hospitals in the area and many nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities.
The Stage West Community Playhouse has four musicals and four comedy and drama plays each year featuring great local actors, outstanding presentations in live theater at its best, wonderful entertainment, and volunteer workers.
Weeki Wachee Springs, named "Weeki Wachee" by Seminole Indians, is located an hour north of Tampa so is nearby. The name means "Winding River" and "Little Spring" in their language. That is the home of the famous live mermaid show and Buccaneer Bay, the only spring-fed water park in Florida. Created on October 13, 1947, by stunt swimmer and promoter Newt Perry, it uses underwater air hose breathing techniques. In 1959, the spring was purchased by the American Broadcasting Co. (ABC), which built the current 500-seat theater in the side of the spring 16 feet below the surface where the mermaids perform synchronized ballet underwater while breathing through those air hoses that are hidden in the scenery.