The Shields Painting Difference: Perfection with Every Brush Stroke
Many painting companies in Florida rely on flashy marketing and big promises to try and attract new clients. But when it comes time to work, they fall short of their promises. This is often due to a lack of experience, qualified painters, and a drive to overachieve. At Shields Painting, we do things a little differently than other painting companies in Citrus County. We believe that a professional paint job should be as close to perfect as possible. Our goal is to leave you 100% satisfied, whether we're touching up an old residential paint job or performing a complex commercial project. It might sound simple, but we achieve that goal through honesty, hard work, beautiful results, and reasonable pricing.
As a family-owned and operated painting company in Masaryktown, FL, we strive to provide personalized, professional, and friendly service. Shields Painting has been in business since 1968 for a good reason. Whenever possible, we go the extra mile to make sure our customers are happy. Unlike some of our competition, we want to know all about your house or business painting project: your vision, your preferences, your challenges, and your goals. When we understand your needs, we can present you with a fantastic final product - one that you're proud to show off to friends and neighbors.
At Shields Painting, we combine our extensive experience with time-tested, meticulous painting processes, resulting in the highest quality painting results around. As a painting contractor in Citrus County, we can take on a variety of residential, commercial, and industrial projects in Florida.
A few of our most popular painting services include:
- Interior Painting
- Exterior Painting
- Residential Painting
- Commercial Painting
- Cabinet Painting
- Ceiling Painting
- Fence Painting
- Sign Painting
- MUCH More!
Our commercial, industrial, and residential painting contractors take the proper steps to protect your property and belongings while we work. Our team will clean up after ourselves, so your property is left clean and free of debris when we're done. After all, we think there's only one way to do a job, and that's the right way.
Painting Services

Eco-friendly & clean work area.

PDCA Certified Member.

Your Go-To House Painting Company in Masaryktown, FL
Your home is a haven of relaxation and solitude. It is uniquely you - a place where you can express who you are through style and design. Whether you need interior touch-ups for your crown molding or a new exterior coat of paint, hiring a reliable painting contractor is the best way to get quality results.
At Shields Painting, we know how important it is to have a home that highlights your tastes and personality. That's why we offer an extensive array of residential painting services in Citrus County. As tempting as it might be to try a DIY paint job, without the proper skills and experience, there is a good chance that the results will turn out less than satisfactory.
High-quality painting requires skill, experience, and patience. If you're a homeowner who needs residential painting services but doesn't have the time, patience, or skills to handle the job, look no further than Shields Painting. We offer accuracy, precision, and longevity with each paint job we perform. Our customers choose Shields Painting for their home because they receive:
- Free Quotes with Detailed Project Breakdowns
- Affordable Pricing
- Expert Painting Contractors
- High-Quality Paint Products
- Combo of Traditional and Modern Techniques
- Well-Maintained Tools
- Unmatched Craftsmanship
- Friendly, Personalized Service
- Good Old-Fashioned Hard Work!
The majority of our house painting services come in two forms: interior and exterior.
Interior Residential Painting
As an interior painting contractor with decades of experience, our expert technicians have developed an interior painting process that maximizes quality and emphasizes customer satisfaction. We understand that interior painting goes beyond aesthetics. It protects your ceilings and walls and helps you sustain a healthier place to live for your family. When only the finest craftsmanship will do inside your home, Shields Painting is here for you.
Our seasoned team of painting experts and craftsmen is dedicated to respecting your space and providing you with the look and feel you're craving inside your home. Whether you bought a new house and want to make it your own or need minor touch-ups but have no time, Shields Painting is ready to tackle the job, no matter how small or large.
Unlike some painting companies, our interior house painters take the time to get the details right, every time. For instance, color is only one aspect of your interior paint job. The paint sheen or finish is just as important. Certain finishes are better for living rooms and bedrooms than in kitchens and bathrooms. We'll help you find the right finish and paint colors for your home, so you don't have to worry about touch-ups or repainting.
Some of our most popular interior house painting services include:
- Ceiling Painting
- Popcorn Ceiling Removal
- Living Room Painting
- Bathroom Painting
- Basement Painting
- Color Consultations
- More

Cabinet Painting
Citrus County cabinet painting deserves its own section on this page because it requires more time, skill, and quality paint than most sections of your home. If your home's cabinets are built into its woodwork, replacing them can be obnoxiously expensive. Compared to the cost of installing new cabinets, painting your kitchen cabinets is much more affordable.
At Shields Painting, we specialize in transforming old cabinets into new, gorgeous features that are just as usable as they are beautiful. Each step of our cabinet painting process is meticulous and thorough. And we'll take care of the entire job, from cleaning, prep, and sanding to priming, painting, and reassembly. This unique service lets you enjoy a brand-new look in your kitchen without having to go into debt by replacing your cabinets.
Whether your cabinets are new, but you want to change their color or you'd like to transition wood cabinets to a painted finish, Shields Painting has the expertise and experience to give you a new look you'll love.

Exterior Residential Painting
Your home - it's a place that not only keeps your belongings safe. It protects your family and loved ones, too. It's one of your largest investments, and like anything else of value, it should be protected. However, Florida weather can take a toll on your home's structure and paint, lowering your home's value and even putting your family at risk.
While it's true that a beautiful exterior affects your house's value, it shouldn't take thousands of remodeling dollars to make a positive change to your home. There's a fine line between reasonable pricing and top-quality painting, and that sweet spot is what Shields Painting aims for. If you want to transform how your friends and neighbors see your home, never underestimate the power of a professional paint job.
Our exterior residential painting services are designed to boost curb appeal, give your home a fresh look, and help it stand up to Florida's unique weather. But we provide more than that. When you hire Shields Painting for your outdoor painting project, you will enjoy peace of mind in knowing that your home is in truly capable hands. Our goal is to exceed your expectations and help bring out the best in your property, whether you need to re-stain your deck or remove old, peeling paint from your siding.
If you're on the hunt for the very best exterior painting contractor in Masaryktown, FL, look no further than Shields Painting.
Some of our most popular exterior house painting services include:
- Vinyl Siding Painting
- Deck Painting and Staining
- Stucco Exterior Painting
- Wood Exterior Painting
- Porch Painting and Staining
- Soffit Painting
- Fascia Painting
- Window Painting
- Front Door Painting
- Thorough Painting Prep
- More

The Premier Commercial Painting Company in Masaryktown, FL
When it comes to first impressions, your businesses' appearance plays an important role. Your commercial property's paint job factors into its overall aesthetics. A great-looking, well-maintained paint job can mean the difference between a customer walking in your storefront and passing by. Conversely, an old, worn-out commercial paint job can send the wrong message to prospective customers. If you can't take the time to keep up your property's appearance, why would a customer spend their hard-earned money on your products?
The same goes for your businesses' interior paint. Would you want to do business with a company that has peeling paint or unsightly crown molding? At Shield's Painting, our goal is to create a beautiful environment that your customers and employees will love inside and out. When you work with our business painters, you can rest easy knowing we treat your business like it were our own. We always clean up after ourselves and know that operations cannot come to a halt just because we're painting. As such, we'll work with your busy schedule to ensure the job gets done right the first time without disrupting your day-to-day commitments.
With decades of commercial painting experience, we know the demands of a commercial painting project necessitate a disciplined and focused approach from the start. Our team of business painters is committed to delivering quality, on-time results on every project, every time - no excuses

We offer professional business painting services to a variety of building types, including:

01
Industrial Painting
A high level of care and finesse are required to effectively paint an industrial property. At Shields Painting, we know that industrial paint jobs involve much more than aesthetics. That's why our industrial services are customized to your specifications, using industrial-grade materials that stand up to heavy-duty operations.
02
Retail Store Painting
Our commercial painters apply effective, yet appealing interior and exterior paint that stand up to the daily rigors of busy retail environments.


03
Small Business Painting
Do you own a restaurant franchise? Have a small "mom and pop" location that needs a fresh coat of paint? Shields Painting has the resources and reliability to efficiently get the job done the first time. That way, you can focus on serving your customers, not having your business repainted.
04
Healthcare Location Painting
From walk-in clinics to long-term care facilities, Shields Painting is sensitive to your patients' needs. We know you must protect your patient's privacy while maintaining productivity. Our approach to healthcare location painting centers around your schedule to avoid disruptions in care.


05
Apartment Complex Painting
Erase signs of wear and make your apartment complex or multi-family building a more desirable place to live with a stunning, professional paint job.
Florida's Most Trusted Painting Contractor
Shields Painting has been in the business since 1968. In a world where so much has changed, we are proud to uphold the ideals that make us successful: hard, honest work, getting the job done right, and excellent customer service. Providing you with trustworthy, quality work will always take priority over rushing through a project to serve the next customer. That is just not the way we choose to do business.
As professionals dedicated to perfection, we strive to provide a unique painting experience for every customer - one that focuses on their needs and desires instead of our own. Whether you need residential painting for your home or commercial painting for your business, we encourage you to reach out today to speak with our customer service team. Whether you have big ideas about a new paint project or need our expertise and guidance, we look forward to hearing from you soon.

Free Consultation
Latest News in Masaryktown, FL
U-Pick Strawberries and Blueberries in Tampa Bay
Ciarra Johnsonhttps://tampabaydatenightguide.com/u-pick-strawberries/
Thanks to Florida’s climate, it is pretty much always u-pick season in the Tampa Bay area. There are plenty u-pick strawberry farms where you can take advantage of Florida’s early growing season.We’ve included all our favorite places for u-pick strawberries and blueberries in Tampa Bay, as well as the other things each place offers.Tips to make the most out of your u-pick strawberry adventure:*U-pick availability is subject to change. We recommend checking the location’s website or Fac...
Thanks to Florida’s climate, it is pretty much always u-pick season in the Tampa Bay area. There are plenty u-pick strawberry farms where you can take advantage of Florida’s early growing season.
We’ve included all our favorite places for u-pick strawberries and blueberries in Tampa Bay, as well as the other things each place offers.
Tips to make the most out of your u-pick strawberry adventure:
*U-pick availability is subject to change. We recommend checking the location’s website or Facebook page before you go for updates and hours.
U-Pick Strawberry Farms
17200 Wiscon Road, Brooksville
JG Ranch has plenty of strawberries ready to be picked from November through April! Keep an eye on their Facebook page for other fresh vegetables like jalapenos and lettuce that they may have freshly picked for sale as well as local honey, beef, and eggs.
10730 Lake Blanche Dr., Trinity, FL
If berries are your jam, make your way to this farm in Trinity. Strawberry u-pick kicks off the year, followed by blueberries at the end of April and blackberries starting in May.
Make it a complete date day by staying to enjoy live music, sample some of their specialty beer, wine, and cider, and grab some small bites.
11780 Tom Folsom Road, Thonotosassa
Strawberry Passion/Passion Organics offers u-pick strawberries, tomatoes, and more on the weekends seasonally. They also offer freshly picked fruits and veggies at their market.
After you’re done picking, you’ll definitely want to treat yourself to a fresh strawberry milkshake or strawberry shortcake.
5202 Thonotosassa Road, Plant City
Keel & Curley offers strawberry u-pick on Saturdays beginning at 10:00 a.m. January through March.
After you’re done, head over to their restaurant to enjoy a glass of strawberry wine from their winery and some of their fresh, farm-to-table food. They have a great outdoor seating area and it’s right near Dinosaur World, making for a cool day trip adventure!
READ MORE: A Date at Keel and Curley Farm in Plant City
6302 S. County Road 39, Plant City
5K Farms has a variety of crops available for picking seasonally, including u-pick Strawberries in the spring. Check out their Facebook page for more information, fun strawberry recipes, and to learn about other fruits and veggies they may have available for sale!
19125 Phillips Rd., Masaryktown
Upicktopia in Masaryktown offers a wide variety of u-pick veggies, plus strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and more throughout the growing season! Make sure to follow their Facebook page for weekly updates on availability and prices. U-pick is available on weekends. Be sure to stick around and check out their on-site winery too!
5500 County Road 675, Bradenton
The family-owned Hunsader Farms has u-pick strawberries and rhubarb available for u-pick starting in December, followed by fresh veggies such as eggplant, green peas, and okra shortly after.
They also have a full farmers market filled with more fruit, veggies, eggs, and jams. They also have a petting zoo for an added dose of family-friendly fun! Check their Facebook page for u-pick updates.
5621 W US Hwy 92, Plant City
Berry Sweet Acres is a new farm to the Tampa Bay Area, run by the family of farmers behind the popular Parkesdale Farms. They just launched their first strawberry u-pick in December 2022.
Reservations are required and they’re open Wednesday to Sunday 9am to 5pm. Admission is $2 per person 3 and up.
They will have seasonal u-picks including sunflowers and zinnias! The farm is open Wednesdays-Sundays in June. Admission is $2 and then sunflowers are $2 or 6 for $10. Zinnias are 4 for $1 or you can get the mason jar special for $15. Stay up-to-date by visiting Berry Sweet Acres’ Facebook page before you go.
5204 Drane Field Rd Lakeland, FL
Fancy Farms opens their fields in the spring for zinnia and wildflower u-pick. Sunflower picking dates vary. The flower fields should be open through the end of June. Hours are Wednesday-Saturday from 10am-5pm with the last entrance into the field at 4pm.
Admission is $5 per person (kids ages 4 and younger are free). To fill a 32 ounce cup, it is $5. Strawberry u-pick and tons of delicious strawberry desserts are also available seasonally. Check their Facebook page here for updates.
Love the great outdoors? Check out these Outdoor Activities Around Tampa Bay or explore lots of Free Things to Do in Tampa Bay.
Top 15 Tampa Bay area events for the week of Dec. 19-25
Tampa Bay Timeshttps://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/entertainment/things-to-do/2022/12/19/top-15-tampa-bay-area-events-week-dec-19-25/
Winter Village: The park transforms into a wintry wonderland with a cafe offering holiday treats, a shopping village housed in shipping containers, ice skating, curling, train rides, storytelling and sing-alongs. Free, $17 skating, $200 (team) curling. 4-11 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N Ashley Drive, Tampa. 813-221-3686.Trolley Holiday Light Tours: Hop on the Jolley Trolley for a 90-minute tour to some of the area’s best light displays. Sit back and enjoy s...
Winter Village: The park transforms into a wintry wonderland with a cafe offering holiday treats, a shopping village housed in shipping containers, ice skating, curling, train rides, storytelling and sing-alongs. Free, $17 skating, $200 (team) curling. 4-11 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N Ashley Drive, Tampa. 813-221-3686.
Trolley Holiday Light Tours: Hop on the Jolley Trolley for a 90-minute tour to some of the area’s best light displays. Sit back and enjoy snacks or a drink as you sing along to holiday songs. BYOB welcome. The tours depart from Crabby’s Dockside and the Clearwater Historical Society. A rum bucket is included for guests who climb aboard at Crabby’s Dockside at Clearwater Beach. $19.99-$29.95. 6:30-8 p.m. Monday-Friday and Sunday. Clearwater Historical Society Museum and Cultural Center, 610 S Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater. 727-445-1200.
Vodka Latke: The party for young Jews ages 20 to 49 includes one drink, gourmet latkes, appetizers, desserts and a cash bar. Dressy casual attire required. $36-$45. 8 p.m.-midnight Saturday. Aloft, 100 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. 813-264-9000.
Mega Hanukkah Celebration: The Beachwalk in front of the surf shop sets the scene for a giant Hanukkah party with introductions by Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard, the lighting of a menorah, meet and greets with Tampa Bay Lightning mascot ThunderBug, hot latkes, doughnuts, a gelt drop by the Clearwater Fire Department, free gifts for every child and children’s entertainment. Free (RSVP required). 5 p.m. Tuesday. Surf Style Mega Store, 311 S Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater. 727-265-2770.
Winter Solstice Celebration: “Ignite Your Fire” on the longest night of the year to welcome the birth of light as the days begin to lengthen. Activities include chanting, dancing, drumming, singing, meditation, belly dance and fire dance to release the old and let in the new for the upcoming year. Free. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Gulfport Beach Park, 5730 Shore Blvd. 727-893-1068.
St. Petersburg Opera: The opera presents “Holiday Sparkle,” featuring Menotti’s “Amahl and the Night Visitors.” Sung in English with a 20-piece orchestra. $35. 7 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday. Preis Hall, Opera Central, 2145 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg. 727-823-2040.
Snowcat Ridge: For a third year, the faux snow park in Dade City features sledding on Snowy Slopes, an indoor play area, ice skating and snowball play. It remains open select days through Feb. 26. Tickets start at $26.95 at snowcatridge.com. 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday. Snowcat Ridge, 27839 Saint Joe Road, Dade City. 813-576-1450.
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Enchant Christmas: Tropicana Field has been transformed into a huge light maze including the new “Santa’s Magic Timepiece” created from over 4 million sparkling lights. There’s also a 100-foot-tall holiday tree, an ice skating trail, live entertainment, Santa visits and a village marketplace. $35 and up, $20 ages 3-17, $32 seniors/military. 4:30-10:30 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, 4:30-11:30 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg. 813-727-4077.
Light Up St. Petersburg: Hanukkah Parade: Cars with lit menorahs mounted on top parade from the Jewish Center to Beach Zone, 5501 Gulf Blvd., St Pete Beach, for the lighting of a giant menorah with music and latkes. Free. 6 p.m. Thursday. Chabad Jewish Center, 4010 Park St. N, St. Petersburg. 727-344-4900.
Holiday Lights in the Gardens: The gardens sparkle with 1 million twinkling LED lights, along with laser lights and lighted figures. New this year is a children’s area with family-focused activities. This lighted display is visited by more than 100,000 guests annually. $10. 5:30-9:30 p.m. daily. Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. 727-582-2100.
Victorian Christmas Stroll: Stroll through the museum to see a variety of themes and displays in each exhibit room. The 41st Annual Victorian Christmas Stroll includes snow babies, tiny antique trees, vintage Santas and nutcrackers, antique goosefeather trees, vintage fashions and visitor favorites from years past. $18, $16 seniors, $12 youths, 3 and younger free. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday. Henry B. Plant Museum, 401 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. 813-254-1891.
12 Days of Christmas: This winter festival on the farm will have holiday hayrides, a gingerbread village, a Merry Market, photos with Santa and Christmas stories read by Mrs. Claus. For added fees you’ll find pony rides, gem mining and face painting. Advanced tickets can be found at rapragerfamilyfarms.com. $14.95, 2 and younger free. 3-7 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. Raprager Family Farm, 16907 Boy Scout Road, Odessa. 813-922-2799.
Christmas Under the Moon at HarvestMoon: See a dazzling Christmas light display as you stroll through illuminated paths to visit Santa on the farm. Includes hayrides, caroling, a jumping pillow, Christmas tree trail, bail zone, hill slide, swings, petting farm, cow train and hot cocoa. $12.95, 2 and younger free. 6-9 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. HarvestMoon Fun Farm, 15990 Stur St., Masaryktown. 800-373-4811.
A Christmas Carol: Charles Jones’ adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic features a cast of 23 performers, live musicians and Broadway-style scenery and costumes. $29-$75. 7 p.m. Friday. Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. 727-791-7400.
Plaid Tidings: A heavenly phone call from Rosemary Clooney prompts The Plaid’s return to Earth for a posthumous Christmas performance to bring a little joy to the world. $20.50 and up. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday. Jaeb Theater, David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. 813-229-7827.
EO: This 86-minute film (NR) follows a donkey named EO on a memorable journey. $9.63-$11.77. 2 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, 2 and 7 p.m. Thursday. Green Light Cinema, 221 Second Ave. N, St. Petersburg. 508-816-8968.
Sunflowers and Good Vibes: Sweetfields Farm takes you away
Virginia Johnsonhttps://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2022/05/20/sweetfileds-farm-in-masaryktown-offers-a-few-more-weekends-of-flowers-and-farm-activites
There’s a crow that sits on top of the chicken coop at Sweetfields Farm, and it’s best friends with the chickens.What You Need To Know How does Farmer Ted Kessel know this? Because every time a chicken hawk comes close by, the crow goes into a four-alarm freak-out even trying to alert. Also, whenever a fox comes close to the chicken coop, there’s the crow diving at it.And what does the crow do all this for? Every day he steals an egg. And every day the chickens let him. The chicken coo...
There’s a crow that sits on top of the chicken coop at Sweetfields Farm, and it’s best friends with the chickens.
What You Need To Know
How does Farmer Ted Kessel know this? Because every time a chicken hawk comes close by, the crow goes into a four-alarm freak-out even trying to alert. Also, whenever a fox comes close to the chicken coop, there’s the crow diving at it.
And what does the crow do all this for? Every day he steals an egg. And every day the chickens let him. The chicken coop is the newest addition to Sweetfield's Farm in Masaryktown, just a hop, skip and jump from Brooksville.
They are open on weekends until Memorial Day for farm activities, including a 7-acre sunflower maze. The coop is part of the farm, along with Kessel’s wife, fellow farmer Lisa Kessel.
“We try to incorporate things that happen to us each year, the year we got pigs, we got a pig, the year we built a barn we did a barn. Lisa’s really into overalls this year. We did a farmer lady with overalls,” said Ted Kessel.
Lisa Kessel is actually sporting overalls when she takes us to the U-Pick flower field. “When we are in harvest time, it’s extremely rewarding to be out here in the morning. Not only are the fragrances at their peak, and also just the way the sun hits the crop in the morning, it’s absolutely beautiful, it’s peaceful, you get to hear the conversation of the animals out here as well,” said Lisa Kessel.
Bees, Birds, pigs, goats and of course the chickens. Bouquets are filled with zinnias and sunflowers mixed with lemon basil. And the leftover leaves from bouquet-making, it’s a goat fave!!!
For the pigs, harvest time also means extra veggies, and they are ready for it, that and muddy holes in their enclosure. It’s the 14th spring harvest season for the Kessels, who are determined to make a life with their two children on the farm. It’s been everything to them.
"So you asked me earlier, you said, ‘how does it feel in the morning when you walk into the field to do your chores?'" said Lisa Kessel. “The energy that comes off of the sunflower field, unbelievable. You can't help but have a smile that goes from cheek to cheek. And by the end of cutting, your cheeks are hurting so bad. The smells, the sounds, everything is just unbelievable.”
You’re saying it wrong: Commonly mispronounced Florida cities
Dylan Abadhttps://www.wfla.com/news/florida/youre-saying-it-wrong-commonly-mispronounced-florida-cities/
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida natives may be familiar with the long list of unusual names bestowed to land across the Sunshine state, but to many newcomers, some names may stand out as much as the state’s renowned “Florida man” headlines.The following is a list of cities that locals have hotly debated to be the hardest for new Floridians to say. Let’s start off with a relatively simple one:While your head may spin just sounding it out, this city, located in the southwest region of Franklin County an...
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida natives may be familiar with the long list of unusual names bestowed to land across the Sunshine state, but to many newcomers, some names may stand out as much as the state’s renowned “Florida man” headlines.
The following is a list of cities that locals have hotly debated to be the hardest for new Floridians to say. Let’s start off with a relatively simple one:
While your head may spin just sounding it out, this city, located in the southwest region of Franklin County and the northwestern part of the state is actually not too hard to say correctly. The city is situated at the mouth of the Apalachicola River and lies approximately 59 miles away from Panama City and 75 miles from Tallahassee, the state capital.
So how do you pronounce it? Locals will tell you it’s mostly how it sounds: “A·puh·la·chuh·KOW·luh“
Let’s try another one.
This city is located between Cape Coral and Sanibel-Captiva on Pine Island and is said to be the home to one of Lee County’s first pioneer families, the Padillas, who came by way of Cayo Costa.
You pronounce it “BO-keel-yuh.”
Those local to the Tampa Bay area may be familiar with this one. This city is located between Clearwater and Palm Harbor and is known for its beaches, pine forest, and ospreys of Honeymoon Island State Park.
At one time, Dunedin became an important trading center amassing the largest fleet of sailing vessels in the state.
It’s pronounced, “duh-NEE-dn.”
Immokalee is a small town in Collier County boasting just under 25,000 residents, according to a 2020 census. Immokalee means “your home” in the Mikasuki language.
Its pronunciation is “uh-MAA-kuh-lee.”
This central Florida city lies just south of Orlando in Osceola County. It’s defined by its proximity to Florida’s array of renowned amusement parks, including the Walt Disney World Resort.
So how do you say it? “Kuss-IM-mee,” with the emphasis in the middle.
Lutz, which lies approximately 15 miles from the City of Tampa, is located in northwestern Hillsborough County. It also makes up a portion of south Pasco County and is bordered by Land o’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel.
Some may be quick to think the city is pronounced “luhts,” but locals will tell you the actual pronunciation is “loots.”
This “Old Florida” fishing village is known for its many brightly colored art galleries, island boutiques, seafood restaurants, and traditional Floridian cottages.
If you ever visit, make sure to pronounce it, “mat-la-shay.”
This Hernando County town, founded in 1924 by a group of 60 Slovaks and one Czech, was named after the first president of Czechoslovakia, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk.
The correct pronunciation is “muh-ZER-ick-town.“
This small town encompasses 1.03 square miles near the Alachua-Marion County line in rural north-central Florida. It’s located between Gainesville and Ocala.
It’s pronounced “mik-I-NOH-pee.”
The population of this city in Orange County grew after the American Civil War when Confederate soldiers and their families settled into the area. It now has a population of 48,263 according to 2019 US Census population estimate.
While many believe it’s pronounced “Oh-SEW-ee,” it’s actually pronounced “Oh-KOH-ee.”
This city in Putnam County is well known for its local festivals, most notably the Florida Azalea Festival and the Blue Crab Festival. It also boasts a population of approximately 11,000 residents.
Pronounce it “puh-LAAT-kuh.”
If you thought this city in Martin County was a gimme, think again. Rio is pronounced locally as if it were spelled “Rye-owe.”
Out of the 19 names on this list, this town of about 1,050 people in Taylor County is one of the easier ones: “STEEN-hatch-ee.”
The name Thonotosassa comes from the Seminole-Creek words ronoto “flint” and sasv “some”, meaning the town was at one point a source of valuable flint.
So how is it pronounced? “Tho-no-ta-SASS-a.”
Wausau is another small town located in Washington County and had a population of 383 in 2010. Here’s how to pronounce it: “WAA-saa”
This city is best known for two of its unique assets; the Dead Lakes and Tupelo Honey. The city’s Seminole Indian name means “water eyes”, and a view from the sky above reveals why. Two almost perfectly round lakes add to the community’s relaxed charm and make a special backdrop to the city’s downtown area.
It’s pronounced “wee·wuh·HICH·kuh.”
Wimauma was founded by Captain C.H. Davis in 1902 and named using the first few letters of the names of his daughters Will, Maude, and Mary.
You pronounce it “WHY-mama.”
The name is taken from the Creek we, ‘water,’ thlako, ‘big,’ and chee, ‘little,’ or “little big water,” since one of two Florida rivers going by the same name flow through Pasco and Hernando Counties.
How do you say it? “with-la-KOO-chee.”
Last but now least, Ybor City. This city is known for its boutiques and vintage shops. It also hosts several Cuban and Latin American eateries. Indie fast food, bars, and a cinema are also staples.
Newcomers may think it’s pronounced “WHY-bor,” but locals say it’s actually “EE-bor.”
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Bearss? Wimauma? Masaryktown? Here’s how to pronounce the tricky names around Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay Timeshttps://www.tampabay.com/florida/2019/05/28/bearss-wimauma-masaryktown-heres-how-to-pronounce-the-tricky-names-around-tampa-bay/
Welcome to Florida Wonders, a series where readers submit their questions about the Tampa Bay area and Florida and Times journalists find answers.Reader T. J. Chaltry, 28, wanted to know: What’s the correct way to say Bearss Avenue and other tricky names around town?Chaltry heard that Bearss is pronounced as if it rhymes with fierce. But not everyone agrees with him.“I say that and everyone looks at me like I’m illiterate," he said.There are also other street names that he stru...
Welcome to Florida Wonders, a series where readers submit their questions about the Tampa Bay area and Florida and Times journalists find answers.
Reader T. J. Chaltry, 28, wanted to know: What’s the correct way to say Bearss Avenue and other tricky names around town?
Chaltry heard that Bearss is pronounced as if it rhymes with fierce. But not everyone agrees with him.
“I say that and everyone looks at me like I’m illiterate," he said.
There are also other street names that he struggles with — for example, Brorein, which trips up even longtime Tampa residents.
“I say it different every time,” Chaltry said.
We consulted local historians, books and newspaper clips in the Times archives and longtime reporters in our most far-flung bureaus to track down answers.
Here’s how to really say these names — and where they came from in the first place.
Adamo Drive
Where did the name come from? The road that connects Brandon to downtown Tampa is named for Dr. Frank S. Adamo. The Ybor City-born son of Italian immigrants was a surgeon who served as the Hillsborough County medical director until he left to join the Army Medical Corps in 1941.
According to the Times archives, Adamo was captured by the Japanese during the Battle of Corregidor and held captive in the Philippines for 2 1/2 years. He was awarded the Legion of Merit for creating a new gangrene treatment while he was still a prisoner. He returned to Tampa after being rescued from Japanese captivity in 1945.
“He came back here and was always just a voice in the medical community here," said Andy Huse, historian and librarian at USF’s special collections.
How do you say it? “Everyone wants to say Adam," Huse said. “Adam-oh.” But the proper Italian pronunciation is actually uh-DAH-mo.
Amalie Arena
Where did the name come from? Formerly known as the Tampa Bay Times Forum and the Ice Palace, the arena’s moniker changed again after Amalie Oil gained naming rights in September 2014.
How do you say it? AM-uh-lee, rhyming with family. Times reporter Christopher Spata wrote a story about the pronunciation of the arena in 2017.
Bearss Avenue
Where did the name come from? The Bearss family were pioneers of the citrus industry in Hillsborough County, according to the Times archives. The family owned a 45-acre orange grove since the 1800s
How do you say it? Even though most people say the word as “bears,” the family pronounces it bierce (rhyming with pierce or fierce).
Brorein
Where did the name come from? Brorein Street, which continues over the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa as the Brorein Bridge, is named after Carl Brorein Sr. He was the son of William G. Brorein, who founded the Peninsular Telephone Co. (now GTE) in 1902. Carl also served as president of the company.
There’s another Brorein aside from the street and bridge —Camp Owen J. Brorein. The Odessa-based Boy Scouts of America camp is the oldest one in the Greater Tampa Bay Council. According to Times archives, the camp is named for a scout who was fatally injured at the camp when “a stump-blasting project misfired.” Owen was the nephew of William Brorein.
How do you say it? Brorein is of the most heavily debated names on the list. One Tampa Reddit user pointed out that even local news anchors say it different ways.
Barbie Alderson, office support specialist for the city of Tampa at Transportation and Stormwater Services, says she and everyone else at the office — which handles the city’s street signs — say bro-REEN. We weren’t able to reach anyone from the Boy Scout camp, but the voicemail message also pronounced it like that. You can sing Brorein to the tune of Dolly Parton’s Jolene to help you remember.
Demens Landing
Where did the name come from? The name honors Peter Demens, a Russian nobleman born as Pyotr Alekseyevich Dementyev. Demens defended the czar as a captain in the Imperial Guard. The story goes that Demens was inspired to come to America after a friend in Paris told him about a wonderful place called Florida, said Rui Farias, executive director of the St. Petersburg Museum of History.
Demens was in the lumberyard business in Florida, and when the owner of the Orange Belt Railway couldn’t pay off his debt to him, Demens gained ownership of the company. He is credited with extending the line to Pinellas County. The first train arrived in downtown St. Pete on June 8, 1888, carrying just one man.
John Constantine Williams, the richest man in Michigan, owned the land where St. Petersburg was founded. He wanted to call the area Williamsville. But Demens’ railroad brought the growth that allowed the city to grow and become what it is today.
“This is kind of what creates us,” Farias said.
There is a myth that says Williams and Demens flipped a coin on Central Avenue to see who would win naming rights. The story isn’t true, but ultimately the city did become St. Petersburg, after Demen’s hometown. Demens Landing is an homage to him, too.
How do you say it? According to a sign by the landmark, the correct pronunciation is deh-MENS.
“It’s definitely not demon’s landing,” said Farias, who explained that Demens’ original Russian name doesn’t even sound close to the word demon. “I try to correct it one person at a time.”
Dunedin
Where did the name come from? According to “Brief History of Dunedin, Florida 1965," the area was already named Jonesboro. This name came from George L. Jones, who put up a sign bearing that name over his general store in 1877. Two Scottish men, J.O. Douglas and James Summerville, arrived in the area a few years later. They did not like the name Jonesboro, so they asked local leaders if they could add a post office and name it Dunedin. Soon the town itself became known as Dunedin.
Dunedin is the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh, where the two men hailed from. There is also a town in New Zealand with the same name.
How do you say it? This name is one of the most likely ones to trip up visitors, who often guess a version of doon-done. According to Dunedin’s website, the correct pronunciation is done-EE-din.
Where did the name come from?The Hillsborough town is named for two brothers, C.E. and W. P. Lutz, who helped to bring the railroad to the area.
How do you say it? Loots. According to a Tampa Reddit user, the slogan “Lutz, rhymes with boots,” used to appear on bumper stickers and T-shirts.
Masaryktown
Where did the name come from? This Hernando County town is named after Tomas Masaryk, the founder and first president of Czechoslovakia.
The idea for the name came from Josef Joscak, the editor of a New York-based Czech newspaper. Joscak had written a number of stories encouraging fellow Czechoslovakians to join him in sunny Florida and went on to found the community in 1924.
How do you say it? According to reporters in our Hernando County bureau, the proper pronunciation is muh-ZER-ick-town.
Pinellas
Where did the name come from? The area’s thick wilderness, filled with pine trees, left a mark on the Spanish settlers who came to the area.
“The Spanish called it ‘Punta Pinal,’ or ‘pine point,’ because there were so many pine trees,” Farias said.
Maps from the late 1800s label modern-day Pinellas Point as “Pt. Pinelos.” Eventually, this became Pinellas.
How do you say it? According to the archives, some old timers and longtime residents call it PINE-ellis. Newer imports go with pin-EL-lis.
Thonotosassa
Where did the name come from? Thonotosassa comes from the Seminole-Creek words meaning “flint is there.” The Hillsborough County town shares the name with Thonotosassa Lake, which is near a handful of flint quarries, according to the book Places in the Sun.
How do you say it? Tho-no-ta-SASS-a.
Weeki Wachee
Where did the name come from? The name for this Hernando County river also comes from the Seminoles. It means “little spring.”
How do you say it? WEE-key WAH-chee.
Withlacoochee
Where did the name come from? There are two Florida rivers with this name. The southern one runs through Pasco and Hernando counties. The book Florida Place Names states: “The name is taken from the Creek we, ‘water,’ thlako, ‘big,’ and chee, ‘little,’ or little big water."
How do you say it? with-la-KOO-chee.
Where did the name come from? The town in Hillsborough County is named after a mashup by the first local postmaster. In 1903, Captain C.H. Davis created the word by combining letters from the names of his three daughters — Wi from Wilma (who also went by Willie), mau from Maude and ma from Mary.
How do you say it? WHY-mama.
Where did the name come from? Ybor City is named for the man who founded it, Vicente Martinez-Ybor. The Spaniard was also responsible for bringing the first cigar factory to the area in 1885. By the time the industry reached its peak in Tampa during the 1920s, there were about 200 cigar factories in the area.
According to Times archives, Ybor founded the first brewery in Florida. The 200th anniversary of his birth was in September 2018.
How do you say it? Eee-bore.
How do people around town usually say these names? We took to the streets to find out:
What questions do you have about the Tampa Bay area or Florida? Fill out the form below or email your inquiries to floridawonders@tampabay.com.
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