History
Hillsborough County
Located midway along the west coast of Florida,
Hillsborough County has 1,048 square miles of land and 24 square miles of inland
water area for a total of 1,072 square miles. The unincorporated area
encompasses 909 square miles, or more than 84% of the total county area.
Ruskin, Florida
Ruskin is a historic
community situated on the shores of Tampa Bay, the Little Manatee River and the
Ruskin Inlet, approximately 16 miles southeast of Tampa. Ruskin is a fast
growing community in the South Shore Region of Hillsborough County.
Ruskin, known
for its rich heritage and progressive attitude, was founded in 1908 and is named
for John Ruskin, an English writer and critic who called for social reform and
espoused the need for higher education. Historically, Ruskin has been an
agricultural and fishing community. Today, while agriculture is still actively
practiced, a variety of land uses exist, including commercial, light industrial,
office and residential. Approximately 1,148 acres are designated as Natural
Preservation, including significant lands along the Little Manatee River. Most
commercial uses are along US 41 and I-75. The older 'historic' portion of Ruskin
is located east of US 41 along the Ruskin Inlet. The Bahia Beach resort is
located on the shores of Tampa Bay at the western end of the community. South
Shore corporate park is located on the eastern end of the community adjacent to
the interstate.
Ruskin's top priority is the protection and
preservation of our natural resources, including the pristine Little Manatee
River corridor, which is teeming with life; Marsh Creek and the public lands
around it; Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve; the Tampa Bay estuary; the wildlife
in the land, water and the sky; the ELAPP lands, significant wildlife habitat,
and other natural areas, parks and green space within and around the community.
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