History of Dunedin, Florida - In Dunedin: Dunedin’s Finest Referral Business Directory

To the casual observer passing through, Dunedin would not appear to be appreciably different from the hundreds of other small U.S. coastal towns. However, the observer would be grossly in error, if they were to label our city as simply another dot on the map. Dunedin is a unique place, which has a rich and diverse history. For example, Dunedin was the first to produce The Alligator (an amphibious tractor vehicle) which played an integral role in the Pacific phase of World War II. Dunedin is also recognized as being the oldest settlement on the West coast of Florida from Cedar

Key to Key West, and was once coined the "Jewel of the West Coast". The locations containing the majority of the Dunedin subdivisions, originally consisted of hundreds of acres of orange groves. Dunedin was at one time one of the only orange juice concentrate suppliers in the United States. What was formerly known as the H.P. Hood Plant is now owned and operated by The Minute Maid Company.

Dunedin also boasts two national parks. Caladesi Island can be found listed in www.toptenbeaches.com (ranking at number 6 in 2001). The Hammock is a 75 acre park with hundreds of trails that can be accessed via the Pinellas Trail. Dunedin also embodies a rich Scottish heritage-- Sterling, Scotland is her sister city. The Toronto Blue Jays have made their "home away from home" in delightful Dunedin for spring training, and have been a valuable asset to our tourism.

What sets Dunedin apart from other Florida towns, is the impact felt from the ten-year-old Community Redevelopment Agency and the Pinellas Trail. People now flock to the downtown area--to festivals, shops, restaurants, galleries, the historical museum, and the waterfront. Despite all the positive change of recent years, many traditions remain the same. After all, their sister city is Sterling, Scotland and the town (like Dunedin, New Zealand) was named for the Royal Fortress of the Scots. The Highland Games are held every spring, entertaining participants and spectators alike, and students at the local middle and high schools continue to learn to play the bagpipes.