In 1913, Ransom Eli Olds, the inventor of Oldsmobile and REO cars, purchased 37,500 acres of land in Florida. The land was originally named R.E. Olds-On-The-Bay. Olds saw that this land was strategically located between two major cities and was prime land to develop on and develop, he did. Olds designed a working man community, with wide oyster shell paved roads and miles of sidewalk lined with trees, a power plant was built that also supplied the surrounding towns with power and a well that produced water, not oil. Olds advertised Oldsmar in the Detroit papers with the hopes of bringing more people to the town. It was Olds vision to have a city of 100,000 residents. In 1921, the first hotel, The Wayside Inn was constructed. This hotel was built to cater to the tourists, it became a bustling place with a grocery store, a hardware store and a drug store located on the bottom floor. The post office was located downtown in the middle of an animal park featuring alligators. Fishing and shell-fishing was prosperous and the residents of the community would take their game to the Rex Cafe to be cooked for big fish fries and dances that were held weekly. Oldsmar Casino was built, and busloads of people would come from all over Pinellas County to spend the weekends. During the prohibition, boats would come to pier bringing cargo full of bottles of run hidden within coconuts. In 1921Oldsmar was hit by a major hurricane, uprooting the trees, flooding the town and releasing the alligators! This act prompted Olds to liquidate his assets. He began selling parcels of land and the rest of the land was traded for the Belerive Hotel in Kansas. He then left town and Harry A. Prettyman, a promoter from St. Louis, continued to sell town lots after Olds left. Prettyman would stage gimmicks like Gold Rushes in order to sell property. After getting caught selling underwater lots, he renamed R.E. Olds-On-The-Bay to “Tampa Shores”, to avoid a scandal. In 1935, the last lot owned by Old was sold and two years later the town was renamed Oldsmar.
Within the hustle and bustle of Pinellas County, Florida sits the sleepy little town of Oldsmar. The estimated population in July of 2006 was 13,443. With many of the houses in Oldsmar sitting on treed lots and much of the shore line undeveloped, this community is a reminder of the awe inspiring natural beauty that surrounds this area. Oldsmar has become one the fastest growing areas in Pinellas County. From beaches to golf courses and a dash of Florida's incredible weather makes the perfect recipe for year-round entertainment.
The real estate options in this community are unique and endless. Olds carefully planned for Oldsmar to be the ideal community by using Washington, D.C. as a model. As it is stated on the welcome sign as you enter the city Oldsmar is “A Great Place to Live and Work”.
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