Clearwater’s Fort Harrison is Open

Celebrating 83 years in the heart of Clearwater, this historical icon is available for charity functions and tours by the community as well as a special weekly Open House on Sundays

Aug 18, 2010, Clearwater—In celebration of the 83rd anniversary of the Fort Harrison, The Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization, the owner of the facility, has announced that it is hosting “Sundays at the Fort Harrison”, a weekly Open House from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm on Sundays.

The Open House features tours of the Fort Harrison highlighted by heartwarming stories of the Clearwater landmark, live entertainment and special culinary events.

“The Fort Harrison is a part of the heritage of Clearwater,” said Lisa Mansell, Community Affairs Director for the Church.  “We are encouraging groups, organizations and families to tour the Fort Harrison so that they re-connect with the history of our beautiful city.”

Built by businessman Ed Haley at the height of the Florida land boom, the stately Fort Harrison hosted the sparkling lights of Clearwater society for fashion shows, bridge tournaments, Kiwanis and Rotary Club meetings, wedding receptions and the annual George Washington’s Birthday Ball.  Many local residents remember going to their high school prom, attending cotillion or swimming in the Fort Harrison pool.

Notable guests included humanitarian Helen Keller and the Rolling Stones, who stayed in the hotel’s penthouse in 1965 writing the song “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” after an especially disappointing concert at Jack Russell Stadium.

The Church of Scientology purchased the hotel in 1975 and undertook detailed renovations to restore the aging facility to its former grandeur and beyond.  The Church’s founder, L. Ron Hubbard, worked at the Fort Harrison for several years until the church’s international administration moved to Los Angeles.

Completed in 2009, the renovation and restoration of the property started in April 2008, when it was stripped virtually bare and rebuilt from its core.  This included installation of new state-of-the-art systems—plumbing, electrical and central air and heating—as well as fully modernized professional kitchens to service the retreat’s three restaurants.  Particular care was taken to make the work and the final product environmentally friendly.  This included recycled “blue jean” insulation, high efficiency water systems to reduce consumption and energy-efficient lighting, electrical and air conditioning.

Despite all the modernization, the Fort Harrison still bears its hallmark historical touches, including the replication of the lobby’s original black wrought iron work and gold leafed moldings, resurfacing of the entire exterior as well as restoring architectural detail that had been lost in the building’s “modernization” in the 1950’s.

The Fort Harrison is the international spiritual retreat of the Church of Scientology where parishioners come from all over the world to partake of the Church’s religious services.  However, the Church has opened its doors to community groups and charitable organizations since it bought the Fort Harrison and invites them to use the magnificent Crystal Ballroom, the grand auditorium and gardens for their charity functions.

Since the Fort Harrison’s grand re-opening in March of 2009, groups such as the North Greenwood Community Coalition, Jazztorians, the Sunscreen Film Festival and the Clearwater Downtown Partnership have utilized the facility for their fundraisers.

For more information, and for scheduling tours and booking private community events at the Fort Harrison, contact Lisa Mansell at (727) 467–6860.

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About the Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization: The Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization is the international religious retreat for the Church of Scientology’s millions of parishioners. Some 12,000 Scientologists travel to Clearwater every year to partake in Scientology religious services. There are over 8,500 Scientology churches, missions and groups in 165 countries. Scientology is an applied religious philosophy founded by author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. Scientology means “study of knowledge” and its basic tenets include that man is a spiritual being who is seeking to survive. For more information visit www.scientology.org