A West Pasco Timeline

ca. 900-1500. Native Americans known as the Tocobaga Indians live in small villages at the northern end of Tampa Bay.1838. The name Pithlochascotee River appears on a map.1859. Pittitochoscolee, a small settlement located where Port Richey is today, appears on a map.1863-1864. Salt is produced at Salt Springs, about one mile north of the Pithlachascotee River.1877. A list of Hernando County schools for 1877-78 shows the Anclote, Baillie (Elfers) and Lang (Hudson) schools.1878. The Anclote and Hopeville post offices are established.1882. Hudson becomes a place name as the Hudson Post Office is established in the home of Isaac Washington Hudson.1883. The Gulf Key Post Office is established. (Later names for this area were Argo and Aripeka.)1884. Port Richey becomes a place name as Aaron McLaughlin Richey establishes a post office in his home at the mouth of the Pithlachascotee River. (The post office replaced Hopeville post office.)1887. Pasco County is formed from the southern part of Hernando County.1890. A commercial sponging venture is started at Bailey’s Bluff.1904-1912. A large sawmill is in operation at Fivay.1909. Elfers becomes a place name as the Elfers Post office is established. (The area was previously known as Baillie or the Baillie settlement.)1912-1913. The Sass Hotel, the first major structure in Port Richey, is constructed.1913. George Sims and a partner purchase the Port Richey Company and begin a major effort to develop the area.1915. A post office named New Port Richey is established for the southern part of Port Richey.1916. The New Port Richey Post, a short-lived newspaper, is founded.1918. The Port Richey Press (later the New Port Richey Press) is founded.1921. The First State Bank and the Palms Theater open in New Port Richey.1921. A hurricane which makes landfall near Tarpon Springs causes extensive damage.1922. The first Chasco Fiesta is held in New Port Richey to raise funds for the Avery Library.1922. The first high school in western Pasco County, Gulf High School, opens, Sept. 18.1924. New Port Richey is incorporated.1925. Port Richey and Elfers are incorporated.Mid-1920s. The Florida Land Boom affects western Pasco County, as real estate prices rise and a short period of rapid growth takes place.1926. The Meighan Theatre in New Port Richey opens.1927. The Hacienda Hotel opens.1927. Construction begins on the home of Thomas Meighan, a leading movie star who hopes to persuade other Hollywood entertainment figures to move to New Port Richey.1931. First State Bank suspends operation, a victim of the Great Depression.1933. Moon Lake Lodge opens. (Much of the Moon Lake Gardens and Dude Ranch is still under construction and does not begin operation until 1937.)1947. The Chasco Fiesta is revived.1949. A new drawbridge carrying U. S. 19 across the Pithlachsacotee River opens.1952. Gulf State Bank opens in New Port Richey.Mid-1960s. A period of rapid, sustained population growth begins, and extends into the 21st century.1961. A county government center for the western part of the county opens on Sunset Road in New Port Richey.1963. WGUL, the first radio station in New Port Richey, begins broadcasting.1965. West Pasco Hospital, the first hospital in western Pasco County, opens.1971. Community Hospital opens in New Port Richey.1976. Construction is completed on a new campus of Pasco-Hernando Community College in New Port Richey.1979. The West Pasco Government Center opens on Little Road in New Port Richey.1980. Gulf View Square Mall opens in New Port Richey.2001. The Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park is dedicated.2004. President Bush, campaigning for re-election, speaks in Sims Park in New Port Richey.2012. Medical Center of Trinity opens.2012. Tropical Storm Debby causes extensive flooding.2015. SunWest Park opens in Aripeka, July 4.2016. Amber Mariano, 21, is elected to the Florida House of Representatives from district 36. She is the youngest person ever elected to the Florida House.