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LOCAL LANDMARKS IN
PASCO COUNTY, FLORIDA
Discover the Places That Help Tell Pasco County's Story
Pasco County is filled with places that tell the story of the communities we call home. From historic hotels and old railroad depots to parks, waterfront destinations and buildings that have stood for generations, local landmarks offer a glimpse into how Pasco County grew from small settlements into the communities we know today.
Whether you've lived here your entire life, recently moved to the area or simply enjoy discovering something new close to home, The Locals of Pasco & Pinellas invites you to explore some of the historic, cultural and natural landmarks found throughout Pasco County.
You may have driven past some of them hundreds of times without knowing the story behind them!
EXPLORE PASCO COUNTY LANDMARKS
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THE HISTORIC HACIENDA HOTEL
One of downtown New Port Richey's most recognizable landmarks, The Hacienda dates to the city's Florida land-boom era and became known as a destination for prominent visitors. Today, the beautifully restored building once again operates as a hotel, giving visitors an opportunity to experience a piece of New Port Richey's history while staying right in the heart of downtown. The City lists The Hacienda among its historic landmarks at 5621 Main Street.
New Port Richey, Florida
The Story of The Hacienda The Hacienda became part of New Port Richey's ambitious effort during the 1920s to establish the community as a destination associated with entertainment, culture and Florida tourism. The city's history records the hotel as a home-away-from-home for visiting film stars, writers, athletes and other notable guests. After decades of changing uses and ownership, preservation efforts eventually led to an extensive restoration of the historic property. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the restoration was designed to preserve its historic character while returning it to use as a hotel. Today, The Hacienda once again serves as one of downtown New Port Richey's signature destinations. ✓ KNOWN FOR: Historic hotel and New Port Richey landmark ✓ WHERE: 5621 Main Street, New Port Richey ✓ ERA: 1920s Florida land boom ✓ TODAY: Restored boutique hotel ✓ DON'T MISS: Its distinctive historic architecture and downtown location
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SIMS PARK
Downtown New Port Richey, Florida
Sitting along the Pithlachascotee — better known locally as the Cotee River — Sims Park has been at the center of New Port Richey community life for generations. Today it's home to concerts, festivals, community celebrations, playgrounds, waterfront views and plenty of afternoons spent under the trees.
According to the City of New Port Richey, the park was originally known as Enchantment Park before being deeded to the city by George Sims. The city dates Sims Park to 1916 and describes it as a longstanding center of community activity. More than a century later, that hasn't changed very much. Sims Park continues to serve as one of downtown New Port Richey's gathering places, hosting special events and festivals while giving residents and visitors access to green space right alongside the river. Pasco County also specifically recognizes the park as a downtown destination attracting events, families, residents and visitors. ✓ KNOWN FOR: Festivals, concerts and riverfront recreation ✓ WHERE: Downtown New Port Richey ✓ ESTABLISHED: 1916 ✓ FORMERLY CALLED: Enchantment Park ✓ LOCAL CONNECTION: Still one of New Port Richey's primary community gathering places
RICHEY SUNCOAST THEATRE
New Port Richey, Florida
✓ KNOWN FOR: Historic theater and performing arts ✓ WHERE: Grand Boulevard, New Port Richey ✓ ERA: 1920s ✓ ORIGINAL NAME: Thomas Meighan Theatre ✓ TODAY: Live theater and performances
Before it became the Richey Suncoast Theatre, this downtown landmark was known as the Thomas Meighan Theatre, named for the silent-film star closely connected with New Port Richey's colorful 1920s history. Today, the historic building continues its entertainment tradition as a venue for live theater.
WEST PASCO HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM & LIBRARY
New Port Richey, Florida
Here's one people drive past without realizing what they're looking at.
The building housing the West Pasco Historical Society's Rao Musunuru, M.D. Museum & Library was originally the two-room Seven Springs Schoolhouse, dating to the early 1900s. It now sits near Sims Park and preserves photographs, records, artifacts and stories from Pasco County's past.
FROM SCHOOLHOUSE TO MUSEUM The building that houses the West Pasco Historical Society Museum began life as the two-room Seven Springs Schoolhouse, built in 1914. It served local children until 1925 and later became a private residence. In 1981, the historic building was saved from demolition and moved from Seven Springs to its present location near Sims Park in downtown New Port Richey. After restoration, it became home to the West Pasco Historical Society, with a library addition added later. Today, visitors can discover historic photographs, maps, newspapers, artifacts, school yearbooks and exhibits that tell the story of New Port Richey and communities throughout West Pasco. ✓ KNOWN FOR: West Pasco history & local archives ✓ WHERE: 6431 Circle Boulevard, New Port Richey ✓ ORIGINAL USE: Seven Springs Schoolhouse ✓ MOVED TO SIMS PARK: 1981 ✓ TODAY: Rao Musunuru, M.D. Museum & Library ✓ DON'T MISS: Historic photos, maps, newspapers & local artifacts
Located right in downtown New Port Richey, Orange Lake is one of those places many locals recognize immediately. The lake and its surrounding green space have become a picturesque part of downtown, complete with piers and popular spots for photographs and community life.
Pasco County specifically describes Orange Lake as having two piers and notes its popularity for weddings and photo shoots.
FROM “BLUE SINK” TO ORANGE LAKE Orange Lake may have been part of New Port Richey's story long before the city even existed. Historical accounts preserved by the West Pasco Historical Society describe an 1888 visit to a remarkable circular body of deep blue water known as “Blue Sink,” believed to be what we know today as Orange Lake. More than a century later, Orange Lake remains a recognizable part of downtown New Port Richey. Today, its waterfront setting, piers and surrounding green space make it a popular place for weddings, photographs, community gatherings and simply enjoying downtown. ✓ KNOWN FOR: Downtown waterfront scenery & photo opportunities ✓ WHERE: Downtown New Port Richey ✓ EARLY NAME: Believed to have been known as “Blue Sink” ✓ HISTORIC RECORD: Described as early as 1888 ✓ TODAY: A scenic gathering place in the heart of downtown ✓ LOCAL HISTORY: Orange Lake was here before New Port Richey became a city
ORANGE LAKE
Downtown New Port Richey, Florida
MORE THAN JUST A BEACH Long before today's waterfront park existed, Green Key was part of the early history of western Pasco County and its connection to the Gulf. The area was once far more isolated than it is today, and the route toward Green Key connected inland communities with the coast and the waters that played an important role in local life. The park was eventually named Robert K. Rees Memorial Park and today preserves public access to this piece of New Port Richey's Gulf shoreline. It's become a favorite local spot for watching sunsets, walking the boardwalk, fishing, spotting wildlife and enjoying the water. Green Key is also recognized among Pasco County's historical-marker locations, making this little stretch of coastline part recreation area and part local history. ✓ KNOWN FOR: Gulf sunsets, beach, boardwalk & waterfront views ✓ WHERE: End of Green Key Road, New Port Richey ✓ LOCAL NAME: Commonly called “Green Key” ✓ TODAY: Robert K. Rees Memorial Park ✓ GREAT FOR: Sunsets, wildlife, fishing & enjoying the Gulf ✓ LOCAL HISTORY: Part of New Port Richey's longtime connection to the Gulf
GREEN KEY / ROBERT K. REES MEMORIAL PARK
New Port Richey, Florida
Known locally as Green Key, Robert K. Rees Memorial Park gives New Port Richey something special—a place where the community meets the Gulf of Mexico. The waterfront park sits at the end of Green Key Road and is known for its small beach, Gulf views, boardwalk and sunsets.
But Green Key's story goes back much further than the park people visit today.
ARIPEKA
Tucked along the Gulf Coast near the Pasco-Hernando county line, Aripeka is one of those places that still feels like old Florida. With narrow roads, small bridges, fishing boats, marshes and waterfront homes, the community has held onto a character that feels very different from the newer development found throughout much of Pasco County.
For generations, fishing and life on the water have been part of Aripeka’s identity, making the community itself a landmark worth knowing.
A GLIMPSE OF OLD FLORIDA Aripeka developed as a small Gulf Coast fishing community, shaped by the surrounding waterways, marshes and easy access to the Gulf. Its bridges and waterfront setting became part of everyday life for residents who depended heavily on fishing and the coast. Even today, driving through Aripeka feels like stepping into a quieter version of Florida. The roads wind past canals, boats, old homes and stretches of natural coastline, giving the community a distinct atmosphere that has become harder to find elsewhere. Aripeka is also recognized among Pasco County’s historic communities and marker locations, helping preserve the story of this small coastal settlement. ✓ KNOWN FOR: Old Florida fishing-community character ✓ WHERE: Northwest Pasco County near the Hernando County line ✓ SETTING: Gulf Coast marshes, canals & waterfront homes ✓ LOCAL CHARACTER: Small bridges, fishing boats & quiet coastal roads ✓ TODAY: A residential waterfront community with deep local roots ✓ DON’T MISS: The drive through town and views along the waterways
Northwest Pasco County
Historic Downtown Dade City offers a glimpse into another side of Pasco County’s past. Known for its historic architecture, courthouse square, locally owned shops and small-town character, downtown reflects the community’s growth from its 19th-century beginnings into the county seat of Pasco County.
The arrival of the railroad helped shape Dade City’s early development, bringing new residents, businesses and opportunities to the area.
A DOWNTOWN BUILT AROUND HISTORY Dade City grew rapidly during the 1880s as railroad service reached the area, helping transform the small settlement into an important center for commerce and transportation. When Pasco County was created in 1887, Dade City was selected as the county seat. Today, the historic downtown still reflects that early growth. Visitors can explore historic buildings, the courthouse area, shops, restaurants and streets lined with architecture from different periods of the city's past. Unlike a single historic building, the downtown district gives you an opportunity to experience an entire piece of Pasco County history. ✓ KNOWN FOR: Historic downtown, architecture & small-town character ✓ WHERE: Dade City, Florida ✓ COUNTY SEAT: Pasco County ✓ GROWTH ERA: Railroad expansion of the 1880s ✓ TODAY: Shops, restaurants, historic buildings & community events ✓ DON'T MISS: A walk around the historic courthouse and surrounding downtown streets
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN DADE CITY
Dade City, Florida
A LANDMARK AT THE HEART OF PASCO COUNTY The historic courthouse was completed in 1909, replacing an earlier courthouse as Pasco County continued to grow. Its distinctive Classical Revival-style design, grand columns and clock tower gave the young county an impressive civic center. For decades, important decisions affecting communities throughout Pasco County were made inside these walls. Although county government has expanded far beyond this one building, the historic courthouse remains a powerful symbol of Pasco County’s early development and Dade City’s place in that story. ✓ KNOWN FOR: Clock tower, historic architecture & civic history ✓ WHERE: Downtown Dade City ✓ BUILT: 1909 ✓ ARCHITECTURE: Classical Revival ✓ SIGNIFICANCE: Historic center of Pasco County government ✓ TODAY: One of Dade City’s most recognizable historic landmarks
Standing prominently in the heart of Dade City, the Historic Pasco County Courthouse is one of the county’s most recognizable civic landmarks. Built in the early 1900s, its stately architecture and prominent clock tower have made it a centerpiece of downtown for generations.
More than just a government building, the courthouse represents Dade City’s longtime role as the county seat of Pasco County.
Dade City, Florida
PASCO COUNTY COURTHOUSE
The Pioneer Florida Museum & Village offers visitors a chance to experience what life was like for the people who helped build Florida’s early communities. Rather than focusing on just one building or moment in history, the museum preserves historic structures, tools, machinery and everyday artifacts that help tell the story of pioneer life, farming, transportation and work in early Florida.
STEP BACK INTO OLD FLORIDA The museum began as an effort to preserve pieces of Florida history that were quickly disappearing as the area grew and changed. Today, its grounds bring that history together in a village-like setting where visitors can explore historic buildings and exhibits from Florida’s past. Among the collection are a one-room schoolhouse, historic church, train depot, old farm equipment, household items and other artifacts that show how earlier generations lived, worked and traveled. The museum also hosts special events and demonstrations that help bring Florida’s pioneer days to life. ✓ KNOWN FOR: Florida pioneer history & historic buildings ✓ WHERE: Dade City, Florida ✓ EXPERIENCE: Historic village-style museum ✓ SEE: Schoolhouse, church, train depot, farm equipment & artifacts ✓ TODAY: Museum preserving Florida’s pioneer heritage ✓ DON’T MISS: Walking the grounds and exploring the historic structures
Dade City, Florida
PIONEER FLORIDA MUSEUM & VILLAGE
ZEPHYRHILLS RAILROAD DEPOT
Zephyrhills, Florida
The Zephyrhills Railroad Depot is a reminder of just how important the railroad was to the growth of Pasco County. Built in the early 20th century, the depot welcomed passengers, shipped freight and helped connect the growing Zephyrhills community with destinations throughout Florida and beyond.
Today, the restored depot preserves an important piece of Zephyrhills' transportation history.
WHEN THE RAILROAD HELPED BUILD A COMMUNITY The arrival of the railroad played a major role in the development of Zephyrhills, making it easier for people, goods and agricultural products to travel in and out of the area. The historic depot became an important gathering point and transportation hub as the community grew. Passenger service eventually disappeared, but the depot survived. Today, the historic building has been preserved as the Zephyrhills Depot Museum, where visitors can discover exhibits, photographs and artifacts connected to the railroad and the community's past. ✓ KNOWN FOR: Zephyrhills' railroad & transportation history ✓ WHERE: Zephyrhills, Florida ✓ BUILT: Early 20th century ✓ ORIGINAL USE: Passenger & freight railroad depot ✓ TODAY: Zephyrhills Depot Museum ✓ DON'T MISS: Railroad memorabilia, historic photographs & local artifacts
ZEPHYRHILLS ARMY AIRFIELD
Zephyrhills, Florida
Long before today's Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, this site played an important role during World War II. The airfield became a military training facility where young pilots prepared for combat, connecting this quiet Pasco County community to one of the most significant periods in American history.
WHEN WAR CAME TO ZEPHYRHILLS During World War II, the Zephyrhills Army Airfield was used by the U.S. Army Air Forces as a training base. Pilots came to Zephyrhills to develop the flying skills they would need before being sent on to other assignments during the war. The military presence brought aircraft, servicemen and wartime activity to a community far different from the Zephyrhills we know today. After the war, the military eventually left, and the airfield transitioned to civilian use. Today, the property is home to Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, but a historical marker helps preserve the story of the men who trained here and Pasco County's connection to World War II aviation. ✓ KNOWN FOR: World War II military aviation history ✓ WHERE: Zephyrhills, Florida ✓ ERA: World War II ✓ ORIGINAL USE: U.S. Army Air Forces training airfield ✓ TODAY: Zephyrhills Municipal Airport ✓ LOCAL HISTORY: Pasco County once helped train America's wartime pilots
SAN ANTONIO RAILROAD DEPOT
San Antonio, Florida
The San Antonio Railroad Depot is a reminder of a time when the railroad was one of the most important connections between Pasco County's small inland communities and the rest of Florida. The depot served the San Antonio area as trains brought passengers, mail, supplies and goods through the community.
Its story is also tied to the growth of San Antonio and the surrounding agricultural communities of eastern Pasco County.
WHEN THE RAILROAD CONNECTED SAN ANTONIO As railroads expanded across Florida, they changed life in communities like San Antonio. Farmers and local businesses gained a much easier way to ship agricultural products to larger markets, while residents gained new connections to towns and cities beyond Pasco County. The depot became part of the everyday rhythm of the community as passengers arrived and departed and freight moved through the area. Although the era of passenger trains serving small Florida towns eventually faded, the historic depot survived as a reminder of how important the railroad once was to San Antonio. Today, the preserved depot helps tell the story of transportation, agriculture and small-town life in inland Pasco County. ✓ KNOWN FOR: San Antonio's railroad & transportation history ✓ WHERE: San Antonio, Florida ✓ ORIGINAL USE: Passenger & freight railroad depot ✓ IMPORTANT TO: Local residents, businesses & agriculture ✓ TODAY: Preserved piece of San Antonio history ✓ LOCAL HISTORY: The railroad helped connect rural Pasco County with the rest of Florida
LAND O’ LAKES
Central Pasco County, Florida
Today, Land O’ Lakes is one of Pasco County’s best-known communities, but that wasn’t always its name. Before the area became known as Land O’ Lakes, it consisted of several smaller communities surrounded by lakes, citrus groves, farms and stretches of rural Florida countryside.
So how did all of those communities eventually become Land O’ Lakes?
WHAT WAS LAND O’ LAKES CALLED BEFORE? Before the Land O’ Lakes name was adopted, the area included communities with names such as Denham, Ehren and Gowers Corner. As the population grew and these settlements became more connected, residents wanted a name that better represented the larger community. In 1949, the name Land O’ Lakes was officially adopted. It was a fitting choice for an area dotted with numerous lakes and helped give the growing community a single identity. Much of the farmland and open countryside has since given way to neighborhoods, businesses and new development, but the community’s name still offers a clue to what this part of Central Pasco once looked like. ✓ KNOWN FOR: Lakes, growing communities & Central Pasco living ✓ WHERE: Central Pasco County ✓ FORMER COMMUNITIES: Denham, Ehren & Gowers Corner ✓ NAME ADOPTED: 1949 ✓ THEN: Lakes, citrus groves, farms & rural communities ✓ LOCAL FACT: Land O’ Lakes was named to bring several smaller communities together under one identity
HISTORIC LACOOCHEE
Northeast Pasco County, Florida
Today, Lacoochee may seem like a quiet community in northeast Pasco County, but its past tells a very different story. During the early 20th century, this area became a bustling lumber and mill town, where trains, sawmills and timber helped support hundreds of workers and their families.
Lacoochee gives us a glimpse into a part of Pasco County history that has largely disappeared.
WHEN LUMBER BUILT A PASCO COUNTY TOWN Lacoochee’s growth was closely tied to the timber and railroad industries. The Cummer Sons Cypress Company operated a large sawmill in the area, processing timber harvested from the surrounding forests and turning Lacoochee into an important industrial community. Like many company towns of the era, much of daily life revolved around the mill. Workers and their families lived nearby, while businesses, schools and other parts of the community developed around the growing operation. As the surrounding timber was depleted and the lumber industry declined, the mill eventually closed and Lacoochee changed dramatically. Today, the community and its historical markers preserve the memory of a time when lumber, railroads and hardworking mill families helped shape this corner of Pasco County. ✓ KNOWN FOR: Lumber, sawmills & railroad history ✓ WHERE: Northeast Pasco County ✓ INDUSTRY: Timber & lumber production ✓ MAJOR EMPLOYER: Cummer Sons Cypress Company ✓ THEN: A busy mill and company town ✓ LOCAL HISTORY: Lacoochee tells the story of Pasco County’s once-thriving lumber industry
JAY B. STARKEY WILDERNESS PARK
With thousands of acres of preserved wilderness, Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park offers a look at the natural side of Pasco County. The park protects native Florida landscapes while giving visitors miles of trails and opportunities to hike, bike, camp and spot wildlife just a short distance from the surrounding communities.
A PIECE OF WILD FLORIDA PRESERVED Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park is part of a much larger area of protected land that plays an important role in preserving wetlands, pine flatwoods, wildlife habitat and water resources in western Pasco County. Visitors can explore miles of hiking and biking trails, ride horseback, camp, picnic and watch for native wildlife. The park also connects with the Starkey Wilderness Trail, making it an important part of Pasco County's growing network of recreational trails. Beyond recreation, the park helps preserve a glimpse of what much of this part of Florida looked like before neighborhoods, roads and businesses transformed the surrounding landscape. ✓ KNOWN FOR: Wilderness, trails, wildlife & outdoor recreation ✓ WHERE: New Port Richey area ✓ EXPERIENCE: Hiking, biking, camping & horseback riding ✓ LANDSCAPE: Pine flatwoods, wetlands & native Florida habitat ✓ WILDLIFE: Birds, deer & other native Florida species ✓ LOCAL TIP: One of the best places in western Pasco to experience a quieter, more natural side of Florida
New Port Richey, Florida
There's More to Discover in Pasco County
These landmarks represent only a small part of Pasco County's story.
Throughout the county, you'll find historic churches, cemeteries, former railroad communities, old schools, bridges, parks, natural areas and historical markers preserving stories that might otherwise be forgotten.
From Aripeka and Hudson along the Gulf Coast to New Port Richey, Land O' Lakes, Wesley Chapel, San Antonio, Dade City, Zephyrhills and Lacoochee, every part of Pasco County has a story of its own.
And we're still discovering them.
Have a Pasco County landmark you think belongs on this page?
Explore More of PASCO COUNTY
HISTORY * EVENTS * BUSINESSES * RESOURCES
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For Locals. By Locals. All About Our Community!
Pasco County has changed tremendously over the years, but the places, buildings and stories left behind help connect today's communities with the people who came before us.
The Locals of Pasco & Pinellas is about more than finding what's happening this weekend. It's also about learning more about the places we call home, sharing what we know and helping preserve the stories that make our communities unique.
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