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Developed by Oldsmobile creator Ransom Eli Olds in 1913, Oldsmar was meticulously planned to be the ideal community. Olds designed his community after Washington, D.C., with tree lined boulevards leading from the northern edge of Old Tampa Bay to downtown. Olds left the town after losing nearly $3 million. He envisioned a city of 100,000, but the population was only about 200 when he left and now stands at 8,798.
Oldsmar is home to one of four oils wells in the state. Olds spent $100,000 drilling the well that yielded water not oil. The well is now capped and sits on the grounds of the Tampa Bay Downs Racetrack. The racetrack is just outside the city, but it has had a significant impact on Oldsmar. The area along Race Track Road remains a picturesque drive past green pastures and racing stables. Oldsmar also features 34 acres of protected wetlands in the Harbor Palms Nature Park. In recognition of the resource conservation needs of the region, Oldsmar has also set up a distribution system for reclaimed storm water.
For more information on Oldsmar:
www.ci.oldsmar.fl.us
www.tblc.org/opl/city.htm
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