Moving Forward, Looking Back

WGUL Radio Has New Port Richey Roots

Explore the history of West Pasco’s first broadcast radio station.

Whether you've ever heard of the locally famous call letters WGUL depends largely on how long you've called Pasco County home. Not only was WGUL West Pasco’s first broadcast radio station, its local programming also became somewhat of a local legacy through the years by offering its listeners with a wide-variety of music and talk shows. And, still today a mere mention of those famous call letters brings back a flood of nostalgic memories for some who will likely proclaim, those were the days. WGUL got its start in August 1963, when the FCC assigned the call letters to Jasmine Properties Inc., whose officers were Sam Y. Allgood Jr.; Reginald Sims, son of early New Port Richey promoter George Sims; W. C. Tranter; and R. C. Tranter. Two month…

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What’s in a Name?—Hudson

First settled in the 1870s, how did the small coastal community of Hudson come to be named?

Few realize is how the dedication of Hudson’s namesake family made the coastal area what it is today. This week we look back at the beginnings of Hudson and the efforts put forth by the Hudson family to establish and name what eventually became the thriving settlement that we now know. The Hudson Family The Hudson family first arrived to Pasco County ca. 1869. However, their first choice in residency wasn’t the coast; instead they opted for 40 acres in the small, east Pasco community of Chipco where they lived for about 8 years. After Isaac Washington Hudson Sr. became stricken with bronchial troubles, believed to have been caused by the many un-drained swamps and bay-heads around Chipco, the family sought a healthier climate. Believing …

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Spotlight on November’s Historical Events

Plan your November around our local history.

The trick-or-treaters are gone, Thanksgiving is on the horizon, and, before you know it, the stores will be humming with weary Christmas shoppers. As we approach the busy holiday season, consider the fact that the next few weeks of November might be the last weeks of sanity for the year. So, why not enjoy it while you can by partaking in some of the historical related events planned across Pasco County. When: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. Where: Zephyrhills Train Depot 39110 South Avenue Zephyrhills, FL Cost: FREE to the public What: This month the Zephyrhills Historical Association welcomes special guest speakers Larry and Harriett Morton Weicht, both lifelong residents of Zephyrhills. Harriett grew up in the now historic …

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Spotlight on October’s Historical Events

Plan your October weekends around our local history.

Fall is here, and it’s time to get out and about to enjoy the great weather. And, what better to kick off fall than to take in another fun and exciting weekend of food, fun, and learning about our local history. With several historically related events planned throughout Pasco County in September, it’s once again time to pack up the kids, the coolers, and head out to some good old-fashioned fun This week, we highlight the many historically oriented events around the county that everyone, young and old, can enjoy. When: Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. Where: Zephyrhills Train Depot 39110 South Avenue Zephyrhills, FL Cost: FREE to the public What: This month the Zephyrhills Historical Association welcomes special guest speaker Vicki …

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Old Newspaper Enters a New Era

Today, while the Dade City Banner might be a defunct newspaper it remains a valuable historic resource which is now entering into a new era.

In the past few weeks, Angelo Liranzo, librarian with Dade City’s Hugh Embry Library, has been working to inform the community of an important project the library has been undertaking. That project, the digitization of their micro-fiche and micro-film collections of the historic Dade City Banner newspapers dating all the way back to 1914. While I seldom share the resources which I use to research, compile, and write about our local history, it’s not often that we get the chance to celebrate a local research resource crossing over into the digital era. So, this week we look back at what made the Dade City Banner so popular and exactly how it’s moving into the new digital era. In 1913, when the Banner got its start, it was one of two …

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Legendary Comedian Phyllis Diller And Her Ties to Our Community

Remembering the legendary Phyllis Diller and her local connections to Pasco County.

The entertainment world lost a legend with the passing of Phyllis Diller. According to TMZ.com, the 95-year-old comedian died in her sleep at her Brentwood home in Los Angeles, where she was surrounded by family. While most sources cite Diller as being survived by her son, Perry; her daughters, Sally Diller and Suzanne Mills; four grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter, she also had a large extended family which spanned the United States and even reached places like Pasco County. Among that extended family is our very own local connection to the Queen of Comedy, Realtor Steve Diller, who fondly shared with me a few memories of his legendary aunt. But first, let’s take a look back at the early years. Born in Lima, Ohio on July 17, 1917…

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Spotlight on September’s Historical Events

Plan your September weekends around our local history.

Summer vacation is over, and the kids are back in school. But history lessons aren't limited to the classroom, and kids also aren't the only ones who can learn from and about the past. There are several events throughout Pasco county in September that focus on history. This week, we highlight the many historically oriented events around the county that adults or kids can enjoy. So, pack up the kids, and head out to some good old-fashioned fun. When: Monday, Sept. 3, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Pioneer Florida Museum in Dade City 15602 Pioneer Museum Rd. Dade City, FL 33525 (352) 567-0262 Cost: Festival admission $5 Children 6 and under - FREE! What: Come out to the Pioneer Florida Museum on Monday Sept. 3, 2012, and enjoy a day in …

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The Lion of Sims Park

Known as Leo the Lion, many youngsters are brave enough to put their heads in the mouth of this iconic beast.

Following a Patch reader inquiry, this week I’ve taken a step back from my regular weekly column to give some background on a well known fixture at the Sims Park playground—the lion in the park, more commonly known as Leo the Lion. Okay, so it’s not a real live lion, but if you have children or have visited the playground, there’s no doubt you’ve seen the brave little youngsters sticking their head in the mouth of this beast to get a refreshing sip of water. So, where did this unique and well-known drinking fountain come from and why a lion? Simply put, this was a project kicked off by the Cotee River Lions Club in 1993, according to the West Pasco Press. The idea came about during the annual Chasco Fiesta event when Ken Huber, an officer …

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Jeff Cannon

10:47 am on Friday, August 24, 2012

Thanks Sherri-- I was just getting ready to email you.   more ›

Preserving the Memories of the Bee Tree Branch Cemetery

Located off of St. Joe Road in east Pasco, today the historic Bee Tree Branch has almost faded to nothing but a memory.

Historically speaking, here in Pasco County, we’ve documented eight known African-American cemeteries. These sites, surviving from the days of segregation, not only represent the final resting place for black Americans, but they are also the storage house of our local African-American history. What might be a surprise to some is the fact that of these eight historic African-American cemeteries, only five still exist while the others have been completely destroyed by agricultural and residential development. And, barely hanging on is the Oaks Cemetery on St. Joe Road in eastern Pasco, more commonly known as the Bee Tree Branch African-American Cemetery. So, this week, in an effort to preserve the history and heritage of the Bee Tree Branch …

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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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