How Dade City Became our County Seat

With its proud heritage and promising future, how did Dade City become our permanent county seat?

Prior to 1887, there was no Pasco County. Instead, we were part of what was then known as Hernando County-- encompassing all of today’s Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco Counties. On June 2, 1887, because of its sheer size and an enthusiasm among the residents for division, Florida Gov. Edward A. Perry signed into law a bill to divide Hernando and make the counties of Citrus and Pasco. When Governor Perry signed the bill, he designated Dade City as the temporary county seat and appointed our first board of county commissioners and other officials. From there, the new board eventually convened in a temporary courthouse offered by Dade City businessmen Coleman and Ferguson, until a permanent county seat could be determined and permanent courthouse…

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Moving Forward, Looking Back

Dade City’s Historic Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church

Through the years, the Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church has contributed and played an active role in Pasco County.

In this week’s entry into the Black History Month series we explore the history, contributions, and active role of Dade City’s historic Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church through the years. From the Frame Meeting House to the Modern Church Among one of the first contributions of the church to Pasco County was recorded on December 28, 1901, when, for the sum of $10, trustees joined together in deeding a ¼-acre to the Town Council of Dade City. This ¼ acre was only a small portion of the acreage that became known as the Dade City Municipal Cemetery in 1903. And, while the church does boast a rich history in Pasco County, there still remains a great deal of unknown, including the congregation's first pastor or even where their …

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