Public to get rare view of hotel

Scientologists have usually kept the historic Fort Harrison Hotel off limits, but it will be open daily for tours and diners from Monday through Feb. 17.

By DEBORAH O'NEIL, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published January 26, 2002

CLEARWATER -- The Church of Scientology is opening the historic Fort Harrison Hotel for public tours and dining starting Monday.

The three-week open house is part of the church's celebration of the Fort Harrison's 75th anniversary. The open house runs seven days a week until Feb. 17 from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.

"The Fort Harrison is the most prominent landmark of Clearwater's heritage, and the church wants the citizens of Clearwater to feel this is an anniversary they are part of," said church spokesman Ben Shaw.

Visitors can dine at the hotel's Hibiscus restaurant, where dress is casual and no reservations are required. Lunch tabs run about $8.50 per person and dinner averages $14 per person.

The church is offering complimentary lunch or dinner to anyone celebrating a 75th birthday.

The public can also tour the hotel and see Images of a Lifetime, a photo exhibit on display in the Crystal Ballroom depicting the life and work of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.

"This is our first three-week open house," said Bennetta Slaughter, chairwoman of the Fort Harrison 75th anniversary celebration. "They can do a tour and wander around the hotel and look at different areas and historical photos."

The Fort Harrison Hotel was built by developer Ed Haley and for years served as a center for community events. Proms and cotillions, luncheons and fashion shows, club meetings and wedding receptions all were staged there.

"It was really Clearwater's first boom-time skyscraper," said Clearwater historian Mike Sanders. "It was far taller than anything at the time. It's really remarkable it still survives."

The Church of Scientology purchased the Clearwater landmark in 1975 and over the span of 10 years renovated and restored the building's historic elements. As a spiritual retreat for Scientologists receiving advanced religious counseling, the hotel has largely been off limits to the public.

Church officials say that will change with the 2003 completion of the massive new Flag building across the street, designed to match the hotel's Mediterranean Revival style. All of the counseling rooms in the Fort Harrison will be moved to the new building, a change that will render the old hotel completely taxable for the first time since the Scientologists bought it in 1975. Also at that point, the church will open the hotel's restaurants to the public.

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