The word “Tampa” comes from the Calusa (sometimes spelled Caloosa) Indians. The Calusa Indians lived in West Central and South West Florida until being virtually wiped out by explorers (and their diseases) between 1500 and sometime into the 1800’s. The Calusa called this place Tanpa (with an “N”), which translates to “sticks of fire.” Some have said that this refers to the abundance of kindling and driftwood along the Hillsborough river (sticks to make fire), but I agree with those that say it is a reference to the constant barrage of lightning storms in the area (sticks made of fire). Yes, Tampa Bay is known as the lightning capital of the US. When the white people came and took this land from the Indians, they had a difficult time pronouncing Tanpa, and took it upon themselves to change the N to an M.
Welcome to the lightning capital of the world- “Sticks of Fire.” Here’s how to caluculate the distance of a strike: Calculate-the-Distance-from-Lightning
Jon Tipton, Realtor/Certified Appraiser
813-391-6121
