When the thirteen organizing members met in 1974 to start our chapter, they chose “Caladesi” as the official name.
Caladesi is a semi-tropical barrier island two miles west of Dunedin, Florida, in the Gulf of Mexico. The name, of Spanish origin, is believed to mean “Island of the Beautiful Bayou.” In 1888, its southernmost 156 acres were homesteaded by Swiss native Henry Scherrer and his daughter Myrtle. He received title to the land once he became a citizen. In 1921, a hurricane cut the island in two, creating Honeymoon Island to the north. After Scherrer’s death in 1934, the northern region of Caladesi Island slowly reverted to wilderness. Its natural beauty is now being preserved by park rangers as a Florida State Park. The southern region is an award-winning neighborhood called Clearwater Beach.
The Caladesi Chapter, NSDAR, has placed a plaque on the island commemorating this history.
To start your journey, please email the chapter!
Photos courtesy of Caladesi Chapter, NSDAR, members.