In 1891, the Town of Clearwater was incorporated with James E. Crane as its first mayor. In 1897, Henry B. Plant (1819-1899) built his Belleview Hotel, thus allowing Clearwater to become a popular vacation destination. Clearwater was designated as the county seat for Pinellas County when it seceded from Hillsborough County in 1912. In 1915, Clearwater was a reincorporated as a city in 1915. During World War II, the city became a major training area for American troops.]]> Clearwater Collection, Pinellas County Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> Adobe Acrobat Reader]]> RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.]]> Clearwater Collection, Pinellas County Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> Adobe Acrobat Reader]]> RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.]]> Clearwater Collection, Pinellas County Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> Adobe Acrobat Reader]]> RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.]]>