Henry Sheldon, W. Lockard, J. Casey, F. Shaw and Rollo Draft. Vickers on the boulevard, which has been remodelled into a hotel known as the 'Kentucky Inn,' was completed last week, and is now open for business. Vickers and his wife Goldie were born in Kentucky. The following information is taken from a newspaper article. Vickers was a dentist in Madisonville, Ky. The hotel consisted of 14 rooms, a dining room, kitchen, and a large lobby. Later owners included Harry B.
Fleharty who had been an assistant U. Attorney General , Mrs. Rollo Draft recalled that Vickers was once asked to move the inn back five feet from the street to comply with the building ordinance, and told authorities not to touch anything, backing up the assertion with a shotgun in hand. The inn stayed where it was and it was the only building on the street without room for a sidewalk.
The building was used as a hotel until , when it became vacant until it was razed in William G. May 8, May 27, June During June and July of , more than 50 parcels of land and houses as well as other real estate are withdrawn from the market through official notices published in the New Port Richey Press because of the expectation of an impending boom in real estate.
Some of the properties were later re-listed at several times their previous price. July 25, A new high record is reached when Walter K. This information was taken from a column by John W. The Richey Amusement Co. Jahn, James W. Clark, Charles W. Barnett, F. Grey, and F. The building contractor was L. Publisher and real estate developer Edgar A. Wright is elected mayor of New Port Richey. Parkes, publisher of the New Port Richey Press. Selwyn had purchased a homesite in Bayshore Estates, and that actor Arthur Deagon intended to erect a home here.
The New Port Richey Press reports the city councils of Elfers and New Port Richey have appointed committees to study a possible merger of the two cities. March 19, The Western Union Telegraph Co. Sims sent the first telegram, an invitation to Gov. John W. Martin to visit them. May 1, The Enchantment Inn is destroyed by a fire, at midnight. About residents watched firefighters attempt to put out the flames. July 2, The Dade City Banner reports that on Jan. It also reported that Mayor Edgar A.
Wright was re-elected Mayor. The total vote was The informal opening of the Hacienda Hotel takes place. The formal opening of the Hacienda Hotel is held. Charles F. Wright, Charles E.
DeWoody, Dr. Hunt or Hurt? Lyons of Tampa. April 1, Father Felix Ullrich begins a campaign to raise funds for the erection of a new Catholic church on Washington Street, just north of the original building.
April 19, May 6, On Sept. A newspaper article calls it the Burnett Arcade Building, and reports the Avery Library has moved into the building. The contractor was Henry Quist. Approaches were paid for by the city of New Port Richey. Over area residents turned out. Meighan invited residents of the city to the groundbreaking for his new home on Monday. Nine prominent Florida contractors had bid on the contract and although Mr. Frank Reed Martin, Sarasota architect, has been named as architect on the Meighan residence.
It was completed during the latter days of the Florida boom when Meighan, Gene Sarazen, and other prominent persons formed a colony in picturesque New Port Richey. Minn, executors of the Meighan estate. Miller later purchased the home and the Meighan theater also. Miller died in Sept. The property was sold to Fred Howard in On Oct. Most of the Meighan home was subsequently demolished. The New Port Richey Press reports that August Hecksher and Irwin Yarnell plan to drill for oil two miles north of the city on or before March 1, believing the prospects for finding oil are excellent.
It reported that, although Mrs. Clyde Lapham had an excellent memory, she could no longer remember the numbers of everyone and hoped that callers would keep their telephone catalogs handy.
May 17, Haley, owner of the Fort Harrison hotel Associated with Mr. Haley in the project are Fred W. Warner, sr. Warner, jr. Adian, of St. A fish and game club is to be organized and a clubhouse modern in all respects is to be built. Mar 7, Parkes, Thomas Meighan was present to push the button.
On May 2, , the New Port Richey Press reported that the theater would temporarily abandon the showing of sound pictures and return to silent films for the summer because improvements in the sound needed to be made; prices would be reduced to 10 cents and 20 cents. August June 13, The Avery Public Library closes because of reduced tax collections by the city and because of the failure of the First State Bank.
March 23, Thomas Meighan. McKay, former mayor of Tampa, acted as toastmaster. Although there are now about seven cabins complete and in the course of construction Haley plans to have 50 two- and three-room cabins in the development.
The Labor Day Hurricane of causes extensive damage from flooding and high winds in western Pasco County. Winds were estimated at 60 to 70 miles per hour.
Electricity was knocked out and schools throughout the area were closed for several days. By a margin of , New Port Richey voters decide to obliterate the municipal golf course that had circled Orange Lake. The tract has been stocked with wild turkeys, deer, otter, beaver, and numerous game birds.
Trails wind through the woods and along the shores of Moon Lake; the gardens are planted with azaleas and roses. Various buildings and cottages have been erected for the accommodation of visitors. July 23, Members of the Florida House of Representatives hold an informal caucus at the new Moon Lake Gardens for the purpose of choosing a speaker for the session.
March 18, A gasoline tank truck which weighed about 17 tons crushes the weakened boulevard bridge across the Pithlachascotee River. On March 25, after four days of day and night work by the state road department, Mayor Fred Howard and state road officials broke the ribbon on the repaired bridge. June 9, The New Port Richey Press reports that the two city fire trucks were placed in the new fire hall last weekend.
New Port Richey residents celebrate the 7 p. About an impromptu parade of several score automobiles preceded by the fire department drove over most of the city and Port Richey, blowing horns and calling gladly to friends as the car drivers and occupants passed the homes of this locality from which over fighting men and the women of the armed forces had left to serve their country and all democracy.
There was no attempt at mass exuberance or wild celebration such as reports attribute to many of the larger centers. June 22, A dedication ceremony is held for the new drawbridge across the Pithlachascotee River on U.
Highway Tom Setley brought back from the north recently a television set and, using an aerial set in a tree at his home, reports being able to tune in on television broadcasts from Jacksonville, though 50 miles is the usual limit for good television reception and Jacksonville is about air-line miles away.
His set is believed to be the first to operate on television in this area. July 15, During much of the period after First State Bank had failed, Rollo Draft operated a check cashing service at the site. The bank moved to a new larger building in City council dropped the idea. Petersburg within 18 months. The city purchases the former Pierce Elementary School as a site for a new city hall.
Burkland purchased more than 2, acres between the Gulf and U. The name was changed to Gulf Harbors. According to Glen Dill, in fiscal year , 7 sales were made; 22 were made in , and 66 in In , Empire Properties took over the development. June 16, City council meets for the first time in the newly-remodeled City Hall.
West Pasco Hospital opens. Mid-November June 2, In the Gold N' Spur was damaged by a fire set by an arsonist. Grey, who has announced he will not run for re-election Dec. June 3, An early morning fire destroys four businesses in downtown New Port Richey and injures 12 firefighters. The lodge at the Moon Lake Gardens and Dude Ranch, which had been empty in recent years, is destroyed by an early-morning fire set by an arsonist.
Presidential candidate George W. March The state approves requests by both hospitals in New Port Richey—Community and North Bay—to move southeast of the city. April 8, June , Tropical Storm Debby causes extensive flooding in western Pasco County. Sometime before the end of the last century, Captain Richey and his wife and daughter established a fish camp and store near the mouth of the River for the benefit of the scattered settlers in these parts and for the fishermen who are said to have filled their nets to overflowing every time they were set.
He received a commission as Postmaster and established the first postoffice and named in Port Richey. The first settlers who came into this section at the time of the Seminole Wars said the land was then covered by a heavy growth of pine. The woods were full of game, panther and bear. Years passed. After this timber was finally lumbered off by the Aripeka Saw Mill Company at Fivay about , the owners of the land, Mr.
Weeks and others, conceived the idea of platting out several sections into 10 acre tracts and laid out a town-site along the banks of the river where New Port Richey now stands. Sims bought the interests of the Port Richey Company in , and carried on the development of this community from then on to the present time. As Postmaster, he served the town for 20 years, bringing the Postoffice up from fourth class to second class.
During the community began to show signs of growth, but it still had no postoffice, no stores, no churches, no school and no roads. For a place of worship, the settlers chose the open out-of-doors in the park on the east bank of the Pithlachascotee. One of their main objectives was routing of the Dixie Highway through the scenic portions along the Gulf Coast, part of which later became US 19, and which now, since a new high-speed US 19 is being built through the back country, they expect to keep as Alternate US A because of its scenic beauty and tourist appeal.
There is much activity at Port Richey, which, because of the development of the colony lands surrounding it, is beginning to take on a new life. The building of the railroad from Tarpon Springs to Port Richey, a distance of seven miles, also has much to do with the improvements now going on. The new hotel being erected by the Port Richey company is nearly completed and will be ready for guests about February 1. It is a well constructed frame building with wide verandas, large office and dining room and ten or twelve bed rooms.
As soon as the brick for the chimney arrive the work will be finished. These lands are among the best in Florida, and homeseekers who look them over usually buy, feeling they have found what they were looking for. These people were from all parts of the United States and had the appearance of belonging to the better class.
Many of the party made purchases, selecting orange and truckland. The recent cold snap was but slightly felt in Port Richey. At this writing January 18 the thermometer stands at Horace Everett of the Everett Press company, of Boston, has purchased 25 acres at Port Richey and expects to arrive here soon with a view to erecting a comfortable winter home and planting a large grapefruit grove. New Port Richey is booming!
Development has set in on all sides, and present indications are that there will be more activity in New Port Richey and vicinity this winter than in any other town in Florida.
Petersburg, Tarpon Springs and other points on the Pinellas Peninsula. Petersburg and other points. Postoffice has been established and the business every month is showing a phenomenal increase. Local and long distance telephone system has been installed. Services are held regularly with a large attendance. A Community Club has been organized with membership of over fifty, and material has been ordered for a club house which will be located in Enchantment Park.
This will be the civic amusement and recreation center for the community. A number of attractive new homes and bungalows have been built in the townsite by newcomers from the North. Hotel has been built and is doing a good business. Several new stores have been opened, including a drug store, meat market, dry goods store, shoe store and grocery store.
A large portion of the townsite has been cleared and the brush burned, the largest and best trees being left standing. The circle around Orange Lake has been cleared grubbed, fenced and planted to Italian Rye and Bermuda grass.
Enchantment Park has been cleared of underbrush and planted to grass seed. Two solid blocks along the river front and adjoining the Boulevard have been cleared and the brush burned. Numerous small farms surrounding New Port Richey have been cleared by new settlers who have built or will build houses and will begin raising crops this spring.
A number of new launches and boats have been added to the number that were already here, and steps are being taken to organize a boat club for the purpose of building a boat house which will be located in Enchantment Park. Very few towns in Florida can boast of such rapid growth and development. On all sides one hears exclamations of surprise and amazement.
A beautiful little city has sprung up out of the brush, almost over night. Those who have been here before and who are now returning to spend another winter are amazed at the changes that have taken place and the natural beauty of the location is being revealed as the land is cleared and improvements put in.
It is the same old climate, which can never be excelled, but it is in reality a New Port Richey that meets the eye as one comes in on the train or by automobile. The local residents are co-operating in every movement for the advancement and betterment of New Port Richey.
These hardy pioneers, most of whom are from the Northern States, are beginning to see their dreams come true. One of the greatest assets this community possesses is the loyalty, optimism and aggressiveness of its citizens.
Their confidence in the future of the city and the surrounding country is beginning to be shared by residents of Tampa, St. Petersburg and other cities, and every indication points to the rapid growth of this new Gulf Coast city. Six or seven years ago there was no post office here—there was no New Port Richey, in fact.
Those of us who lived in this part got our mail from Port Richey. There was an old wagon trail by way of the Casson house and the old Clark grove, and there was a shorter woods path along what is now Madison street, thence on through the Casson place, and coming out at the point where the Herms floral gardens are now located.
The other route was by row boat down the river. We generally took the latter, and caught our supper and breakfast by trauling as we went. I remember one day I caught 36 trout and jack fish trauling to Port Richey after the mail. Generally the one who went got the mail for the rest of the bunch.
He was also expected to bring back two fish for each letter. If there were a dozen letters it was up to him to catch 24 fish. As we increased in population we tired of this. It was reasoned that the Star Route carrier might just as well return to Tarpon Springs on this side of the river, and leave our mail in boxes instead of going back on the other side over the Old Post Road. So we set apart a day and cleared a road through the Hill place now the Casson farm and down part of what is now Madison street; and along this route we put up our mail boxes.
But the carrier, Driver by name, had a will of his own which we had not reckoned with, and he would not accept this as his routing, hence all our work went for nothing. This disappointment, however, did not peeve us. Holzscheiter and others that I circulate two petitions, one for a postoffice here, the other for my being appointed postmaster.
I really did not consider the job worth having, but the Port Richey Company, by whom I was then employed, said I could put the postoffice in their office building, which was then standing in the middle of Main street, surrounded by saw-palmetto, and they would not deduct anything from my wages for the time consumed in taking care of the mail. Under these conditions, then, I set about getting everybody south of the Herms property to sign the petitions.
They were presented with about 80 names, as I remember, the one seeking appointment as postmaster being the duplicate of the other so far as signatures were concerned. In due time the petitions were acted upon, and I was examined for the important position of postmaster. But a delay occurred in establishing the office on account of our not choosing a suitable name. The department contended that since there was already a Newport Florida and a Port Richey, Florida Newport-Richey would lead to errors and confusion.
This, too was considered unsuitable by the land company and many of us settlers, who had done so much advertising under the name of Port Richey.
We got in touch with our congressman—Hon. After some correspondence the department accepted this naming. I received my commission as postmaster dated July 21st, , but, as I did not at once receive my supplies and regulations, the office was not established until August 30th, They gave me a space 4x6 feet, which, then, was plenty big enough. The money order business was not added until November 1st, If the postmaster was on hand to receive and despatch the mail it was deemed sufficient.
On December 22, , Dr. Elroy M. Avery as their first mayor. He was sworn in on October 29, That December, George Sims deeded his land around Orange Lake, then popularly known as Enchantment Park, to the city's residents in perpetuity. Because of the brand-new city's Ordinance One, the beautiful riverfront gathering spot in the center of town now known as Sims Park will forever belong to the people of New Port Richey.
While wintering in Great Neck, New York a gathering place for film and stage luminaries , George Sims met one of Hollywood's leading movie stars of the silent era, Thomas Meighan, sometimes called "the John Wayne of his day. Sims's influence, Thomas Meighan built a home in New Port Richey, and was instrumental in attracting other stars to join him in what he called his "favorite Florida city. Shortly thereafter, the Richey Amusement Company, a corporation composed of local businessmen, opened the Thomas Meighan Theatre on July 1, in tribute to Mr.
Meighan, whose influence brought so many sports and entertainment luminaries to the city. In , Jesse L. On March 4, , James E. Meighan, brother to Thomas Meighan, donated land for the construction of a new Spanish Colonial Revival-style hotel befitting the city's growing popularity with arts, society, and sports luminaries. The Hacienda opened on February 5, with Ed Wynn serving as Master of Ceremonies for Thomas Meighan, Gloria Swanson, Lupe Velez, and Ann Harding, among other notables, and was a popular gathering spot for sports and entertainment figures for many years.
It was added to the U. I wonder whose coat of arms is displayed over the ornate plaster mantle above a fireplace. On Oct. The hollow tiles are covered with stucco and painted for its Spanish style. There are murals on several of the downtown buildings, and they are fun to explore. If you visit, there is a plaque on the mural that names all the participants and I like the idea of marrying past and present. Still, all the downtown murals are very good and worth a gander.
Sims Park has a nice outdoor amphitheater and several festivals are held there each year with live music, vendors, and activities for residents and visitors. It is usually held near the end of April each year. It opened with his film, The New Klondike. A pipe organ was installed in and the theater was the center of a controversy about being open on Sundays in New Port Richey. The Great Depression hit and in the magnificent theater was closed.
Like the Hacienda Hotel, this extravagant building would be bought, sold, managed and change hands many times over the ensuing years. In , the theater was renamed The Richey Suncoast Theater and community theater featuring live performances began.
The exterior was repainted and the gold dome regilded also. It is beautiful and functional once again. The live theater is active today and it is great fun to visit downtown and see a local production. Their schedule can be found here. There is pizza, fresh soups and salads, and a traditional tea room, The White Heron Tea and Gifts , which requires reservations for high tea, but provides a quiet room for walk-ins to sit down and enjoy a pot of fresh-brewed flavor.
0コメント