HISTORY OF PASCO COUNTY

Webb's Historical, Industrial
and Biographical Florida (1885)

ANCLOTE is located at the mouth of the Anclote river, 30 miles from Tampa, reached via the various steamers and sailing vessels, and by the Gulf Coast back line of stages. It was settled in 1868 by the Meyers Bros., Harrison and W. A. Cobb, and now contains a population of about 40 families. There are two churches, the Anclote Baptist, Rev. Mr. Cadden, pastor, and the Methodist, Rev. Mr. Miller. There are two land companies located here, the Lake Butler Villa Co., and the Florida Land and Immigration Co. Among the prominent residents are Mr. J. M. Murphy, a well-known and popular author. The postmaster is Mr. J. M. Craver, who is also a notary public.

CHIPCO is located about one mile from Gordon survey railroad. About thirty hours' ride from Jacksonville: fare, about $11.50. Established in 1882. Population about 50. Among the owners of large bearing groves near here are Messrs. Clint, Pearce, Henry Hutto, John Obery, and others. Mr. H. K. Bankston is postmaster.

FORT DADE is a thriving, progressive town of about 2,000 inhabitants [see note] situated near the eastern boundary of Hernando county, on the line of the Florida Railway and Navigation Co., and upon that proposed by the extension of the F. S. Railway. It is 30 miles from Tampa, and 42 from Wildwood. The first settlement was made by Newton A. Carter, who removed hither from Sumter county in 1869, and planted a large orange grove which is now in bearing. The town contains several churches of different denominations, presided over by Revs. R. E. Bell and G. W Watk; three academies, viz: Oak Grove, Clear Lake, and Ellustie. Prof. Eatherly, Dr. Pringle and Robt. O. Carter, Esq., in charge. A newspaper, the Fort Dade Messenger, established in 1882 by a stock company, and now published by W. C. Sumner with J. G. Wallace editor; and a post-office with Mr. Robt. J. Marshall, postmaster. There are four large saw-mills with an average product of 2,500 feet per day. This is a good range for cattle and sheep, and new settlers are paying much attention to this branch of business. The more prominent men who have lived or are living here are Messrs. Robt. Sumner, A. C. Sumner, W. A. Carter, Col. D. H. Thrasher, Levi Eiland, Joseph Tucker, W. C. Sumner, R. M. Wilson, Dr. Cochrane, W. A. Jones. Those who own large orange groves are Messrs. W. A. Jones, Dr. Cochrane, R. M. Wilson, Joseph Tucker, W. A. Carter, Mr. Moore, G. C. Pearce, Levi Eiland, Mr. Wordson, Geo. Pinkston, Mr. McLeod, et al. The inducement to settlers of the right sort are manifold, and there are good openings for many lines of business for those who have the requisite energy and push.

GULF KEY, Hernando County, or as the sailors call it, Hammock Creek, is situated on the southwest coast of the county, 16 miles southwest of Brooksville. It is one of the best natural harbors on the Gulf coast, the chief seaport of this great county, and has suddenly sprung into prominence. Besides being a regular stopping place for the new steamer "Gov. Safford," its shipping consists of two sloops, one schooner, and numerous smaller craft, running between this port, Yellow Bluff, and Cedar Keys. The towns of Hammock Creek, Indian Creek, and La Clede (spelling?) are all together, and embraced in the post-office named Gulf Key. The place is quite new and thinly settled yet, as the lands are held by the few residents, the Disston Company, and Major John Parsons. The population is about 32, but as soon as the lands are surveyed and on the market, the place will improve rapidly. At present there is a post-office, warehouse, and wharf, freight and passenger line to Brooksville and Fort Dade, one store, and a fishery. In addition to the Hammock Creek harbor, the town also possesses another valuable harbor in Indian Creek, which is to be soon improved by a new road from the Brooksville road to its mouth, where a new wharf and warehouse will be built. The last-named stream, like Hammock Creek, has its source in a clear spring near the centre of the town, and flows northwest and empties into the Gulf at the northwest corner of the town, while Hammock Creek flows southwest and empties at southwest corner of the town. The La Clede portion of the town commences at the springs, or sources of the twin creeks before mentioned. It extends west on both sides of the Brooksville road, and on account of its beautiful, healthy table and rolling-pine lands, is the most thickly settled. Most of the residents own portion of the rich hammock land lying near the town, which they successfully cultivate, while having the advantage of living on the adjacent pine hills. Although not yet possessing any hotel, yet with all the natural advantages named the future of this beautiful seaside resort and commercial port will surpass the highest anticipations. James Arnold is the postmaster.

HATTON was settled in 1882 by M. G. Rowe, the present postmaster. Brooksville, the nearest town of importance, is 25 miles distant, the U. S. mail line, and Capt. Graham's mail line of stages running between the two points; fare, $2.50. There are several small lakes in the vicinity. Fine grazing lands are to be found here, and fruit culture is carried on extensively, oranges being the principal product. Among the owners of fine groves in this town are D. H. Thrasher, Lewis Parish, W. R. Mills, J. M. Wiley and others. M. G. Rowe is postmaster.

HUDSON was named in honor of its first resident, Mr. Isaac W. Hudson, who settled here February 5, 1879. It is a landing on the gulf coast, 50 miles south of Cedar Keys. The first mail arrived July 3, 1883. It is now brought on horseback twice each week from Brooksville. Mr. Hudson started with capital enough to go on for one year, and has succeeded in supporting a large family by raising sweet potatoes, sugar- cane, corn, peas, melons, tomatoes, etc. He has a small orange grove in bearing, and cultivates the lemon, lime, citron, grape fruit, guava, banana, fig, plum, peach, pear, persimmon, grape, etc. A good view is had of the Gulf, and there are but few swamps in this section. Those coming to settle would find it to their advantage to bring two good mulch cows, and two good farm horses. Port Richey, 7 miles south, is a new settlement. H. W. Howse, J. W. Hudson, W. M. Lang, A. M. Bellamy, W. G. Frierson, A. W. Blanks, H. C. Bush, W. W. Chaney, W. J. Hilliard, James Worley, Jesse Hay, and M. D. Tillman [perhaps should be Fillman] are the more prominent residents and orange growers. Negroes are a curiosity, and there is a good opening for a hotel and saw-mill. Transportation by water good. Public school; the name of the postmaster is John W. Hudson.

LENARD is located on the proposed line of the "International Railway and Steamboat Co.," in the eastern part of Hernando county. It was settled in 1881 by the present postmaster, W. S. Kuster, and now has a population of about 150. There is a Baptist church, Rev. __ Boastic, and good county schools. The climate is healthy, and there are good openings for a general merchandise business.

PORT RICHEY is located in the southwestern portion of Hernando county, in about 28° 15' north latitude, one the point of land between the Pithlachoscotee river and the Gulf of Mexico. Mr. A. M. Richey owns the land on the point north of the mouth of the river, and the land adjoining east and north is owned by ex-Gov. A. P. K. Safford; south of the river is owned by the Disston Land Company, immediately on the coast and river. The land Mr. Richey owns was entered from the State by Felix Sowers in January, 1883. He made but little improvement and deeded the land to Mr. R. in July, 1883, who moved from St. Joseph, Mo., in December, 1883, built additional house-room, fencing, and a store, and keeps a general stock of merchandise needed in a country- store in a new country. He also had a schooner built to do his freighting and the freighting for this portion of the coast. She makes regular trips between Port Richey and Cedar Keys. The freighting of vegetables during the winter and spring, and oranges in the fall, is beginning to be an item of some importance; and it is expected the business will be more than double next season. In October, 1884, Gov. Safford and Mr. Richey surveyed the land immediately on the point into town-lots and put them on the market for sale. The name of the town will be Port Richey, the same as the name of the post-office (A. M. Richey, postmaster). There is a good outlet by way of the Gulf, and a fair prospect for a railroad in the near future. This section has been overlooked by home-seekers because it is off the more frequented lines of travel by rail and stage. In consequence, the settlers are scattered and somewhat isolated, but almost universally prosperous and contented, knowing that when the advantages of this part of the country are known, there will be an immense boom here, and they will not have worked and waited in vain. Some of the finest and most productive land in the State is situated along the Pithlachascotee River, land that will, without fertilizing, produce the most abundant crops of grain and vegetables, and grow the thriftiest, healthy orange trees. There are a great many trees from six to ten years old, from the seed, that are loaded with oranges, the trees as large as many of the trees in other parts of the State are at fifteen years of age. The chief industries in the neighborhood are orange-growing, vegetable-farming, stock- raising and fishing. The settlers, almost without exception, are raising orange groves, and many of them making their living off the vegetable crops grown among the orange trees, while waiting for the trees to come into bearing. Mr. Richey has a young grove of ten acres planed in the hummock a mile up the river, which has made a wonderful growth. The best bearing groves in the neighborhood are those of Jas. W. Clark, M. N. Hill, Mrs. Worley, H. W. Howse, Asa Clark, Hay, Sheffield, Brown, etc. But one of the greatest attractions of this part of the county is the Gulf coast, with its invigorating breezes, salt water bathing; its sailing, boating; its supply of oysters, turtles, crabs, and almost endless variety and unlimited supply of the finest fish. The islands and points are frequented by water-fowl of different kinds, and the hummocks and scrubs by abundance of squirrels, opossums, raccoons, deer and some bear. For a health or pleasure resort, they acknowledge no superior in the State. There is a wide range in the prices of land. Some of the Disston land can be bought as low as $2.50 per acre. Good pine land from $5.00 up. Hummock land from about $20 up to almost any price, much of it not for sale, because owned by parties who are improving it. Orange groves coming into bearing would bring almost any price asked. There is nothing in the way of stocks or bonds so safe to hold or so sure to pay a good percentage on the estimated value.

SAN ANTONIO was settled in 1881 by Judge E. F. Dunne. The population in 1882 was about 150, which has increased to 350. The town is located on Clear lake, and the largest town in this section is Tampa, 35 miles distant, to which Graham's stage line runs twice a week. The San Antonio Herald, if not already established, will be soon. There is a Catholic church here of which Rev. Father E. Stenzel is the pastor. The land is generally rolling, the soil good, with plenty of muck for fertilizing purposes. The Withlacoochee river, near here, is navigable, and there are several large lakes in the vicinity in which the finny tribes await the disciples of Walton. There are two excellent schools here, the Clear Lake High School, R. O. Carter, principal, and the San Antonio Academy, Mrs. Carrie Mullan, teacher. Among the representative men of the place and owners of fine orange groves are Judge E. F. Dunne, Dr. Joseph Corrigan, Rev. R. E. Bell, C. F. Gailmard, John Platt and N. A. Carter. There is a fine opening here for a mercantile business.

TUCKERTOWN is in the extreme southeastern part of the county, a growing place connected with the outside world by telegraph, Mr. J. W. Tucker's orange grove is one of the handsomest in the county. Population over 100.

TWIN LAKES, a post-office, established in September, 1884.