From Deer Island to Green Key
Today, Green Key is only one of four Pasco County parks to have Gulf frontage
This week we explore what could possibly be considered one of Pasco County’s last frontiers—Deer Island. Now known as Green Key, less than 90 years ago, Deer Island was nothing more than mangroves and saw grass. But today, with its paved causeway, county park, and Gulf access, you’d be hard pressed to find a deer on Deer Island. So, how was it that this little piece of no man’s land came to be one of only four Pasco County parks with Gulf frontage? Deer Island, the Homestead In the mid 1920s, Deer Island became one of the last pieces of federally homesteaded lands in Pasco County, which is where the history of our little island begins. Consisting of a little more than 42 acres, it was in the 1920s when John Gippson “Gip” Brown and his wife…
Jeff Cannon
11:21 pm on Saturday, July 7, 2012
Christy, thanks for your comments. Yes, part of the island is sitll privately owned-- three lots in total. I believe the only reason is because they were purchased before the court order to divide the land equally between Pasco County, the City of New Port Richey, and the Pasco County School Board. These lots have been privately owned since the 1940s. more ›