| 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. |
| 1860s |
Salt is produced at Salt Springs, about one mile north of
the Pithlachascotee River. |
| 1878 |
The Anclote and Hopeville post offices are established. |
| 1881 |
A log schoolhouse is built by the settlers in what would
become Hudson. |
| 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 the Baillie
settlement and, apparently, Sapling Woods.) |
| 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
is founded. |
| 1921 |
The First State Bank and the Palms Theater open in New Port
Richey. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
