Clearwater Beach in native Indian "Pocotopaug" was named as such because of the many rich springs along its shores in which the City Hall and downtown Clearwater is situated.

In the 1830s, Clearwater area became a settlement when Florida became a territory. In 1835, during the Seminole Indian Wars, Fort Harrison was built as a recuperation center for the soldiers. In 1841, the fort was abandoned and the area was then known as the Clear Water harbor. In 1906, "Harbor" was dropped in the name.

The Federal Armed Occupation of 1842 gave 160 acres to any family or man above 18 years old who would bear arms and cultivate the land. In 1895, Clear Water became Clearwater with the population growing steadily. In 1912, Clearwater became a county seat as Pinellas County was created by an act of Legislature. By May of 1915, it was incorporated and the first city wooden bridge was created and so the development started.

In 1947, Major League Baseball's Philadelphia Phillies began their spring training in Clearwater and have been doing so ever since. It also is known for annual events like Imagine International Film Festival, Fun N Sun Festival, Clearwater Celebrates America, Clearwater Jazz Holiday, Hispanic Heritage Festival, and Foster Grant Ironman Festival.