HISTORY OF PASCO COUNTYDade CityRecollections of Helen Eck Sparkman (1977)The following is a talk given by Mrs. Helen Eck Sparkman to a 1977 meeting of the Pasco Historical Society. She was one of eight girls who graduated from the high school in Dade City in 1913. Her talk was reproduced in the St. Petersburg Times in 1987 with the permission of her son Mike.We lived in Waterloo, N.Y. in a colonial type house known locally as “Paradise,” and so titled in the 1896 deed of purchase. It was from “Paradise” that we came to Florida. Papa, grandpa and one of our friends had each bought one unit of Zephyrhills property, consisting of five acres of country land and a city lot for $50. So we were to come to Zephyrhills, out of the cold north, and be farmers. Accordingly our grandmother sold Paradise, with its fabulous six-hole brick privy with simulated cupola for $1,500. People had often stopped to ask her if she rented her smokehouse. Then we loaded our belongings in a freight car and came. We brought everything, even my ice skates and the carpet beaters. Then, in addition, we bought and brought a fine Jersey cow and two pigs. So my father, who I supposed had never been near a cow, had to ride in the freight car and feed and milk her, while the rest of us came by passenger train. We left Geneva, N.Y., at 6 p.m. on the night of Friday, Nov. 4, 1910, and arrived in Dade City at 4 p.m. on the following Sunday afternoon, Nov. 6. It was one of these rainy days, gray, with water dripping from the moss on the trees and in a sandy street between the depot and Griffin's Drug Store (now Nolen's) a scrawny, dirty cow was munching on a paper bag. Since the original sale of the Zephyrhills property had occurred only in March of 1910, there were no living quarters available there. So we rented the house on the southeast corner of 12th and Church streets, recently known as the I.W. Smith house. It then belonged to the M.D. Cochrane family, who had just moved to the Osceola Hotel at the corner of Fifth and Meridian streets. They ran the hotel there for a great many years. There were the family shown in one of the early pictures shown in Pasco News. The children were Inez, Lula (a beloved third-grade teacher), Ethel, Will and Fred, the baseball player. Early Monday morning my mother took me to school - of course it was unthinkable that anyone should miss a day. The teacher introduced me to the class as being from New York and everyone just sat there looking at the newcomer. Finally one girl got up from a back seat, came up to me and took me by the arm and invited me to go back and sit with her. I've always been grateful. Then, when our first noon hour was over (nearly everyone went home for lunch, there were no buses in those days), while I was in an assigned seat, one of the girls rushed in, almost flung a paper on my desk in front of me and said, “Here, read this!” I looked down at a glaring headline, which read: “Was Jefferson Davis a traitor?” What a reception for a timid Yankee! I didn't know then and I never found out. This was in the original wooden building where I spent my last three years of high school under the tutelage of Professor Corr and several of the teachers shown with him in the early picture. We graduated in 1913 in the new school, now known as the Annex, which had only the upstairs auditorium finished and where the Jefferson Davis supporter graduated as valedictorian with her shoes on the wrong feet. In January of 1911 grandmother paid $750 for the house at 202 North 11th St. opposite the Episcopal Church. It was at that time known as a “Dogtrot House.” The north half had three rooms in a row and a single room on the south side had a fireplace; an open space about 8 to 10 feet wide - the dog trot separated them. In April 1911, my parents, sister and I moved to the house where Sally's Dance Studio is located, for which we paid $12.50 per month rent. It was not the size it now is, Richardson's Funeral Home made the additions. When, a year later, the rent was raised to $15 per month, this was just too much to pay. So my folks went to the Bank of Pasco County, borrowed $900, and with it built our house. Lumber came from Greer's saw mill, located where Barber Block now is, and the windows, doors and inside stairway were ordered from Sears, Roebuck since Pasco Lumber had not arrived yet. The first place my father worked was on the Edwinola Hotel, which was being built at that time. The former hotel had been a wooden building that had burned in 1907, as people were wont to say jokingly “with great loss of life” (not human). Mr. Gerowe, whose wife was a sister of Mr. Gasque, had begun the present hotel, when he fell from second story window and was killed. So Mr. Gasque bought the property from his sister and completed it combining the names Edwin and Lola to name it Edwinola. Minutes of May 10, 1909, in Commissioner's Record Book 1, state that the contract for the new courthouse had been let to Mutual Construction Company of Louisville, Ky. at a cost of $34,860 and Mr. A.J. Burnside accepted the courthouse on July 5, 1901, and made the first payment of $6,360. On Oct. 7, 1912, bids were let to Mr. L. M. Eck (my father) for sidewalks around the courthouse, the cost to be 13 1/4 cents a square foot; and for several years he built many of the sidewalks in Dade City and later in San Antonio. Later he had other Dade City appointments. First he was in charge of the new Community Hall where the Armory now stands. In those years Dade City was the southern meeting place of what was known as the Tin Can Tourists Club. I don't know if this was because they came here in “Tin Lizzies” or that they brought much of their food from their homes in the north in tin cans. One of Dade City's early merchants told me of how one day one of these tourists came to his store with a pint jar, bought a quart of milk, took out a pint and asked him to keep the balance until the following day. Then for a number of years Dad was in charge of the waterworks and later was appointed chief of police. There was not a great deal of crime in those days. Some time ago I was going through the first book of the minutes of the city fathers' meetings, in an effort to determine what the salary for the chief was at that time. I didn't find out what it was because people had been paid individually; by that time the city had authorized certain consecutively numbered vouchers that gave no names. No government in the sunshine then. But what I did find reminded me of a situation that everyone insists I must tell you. You know how much of a furor we have had over the matter of the government ordering certain regulations regarding sewers. What I found in the city's minutes was a bill for replacement buckets for $158. This was a reminder that in 1912 the city conceived the idea that, instead of the usual open type of outdoor privy using unslaked lime, they would require that we install big buckets under each opening. It would be required that the seats which had been stationary be hinged so that these buckets could be installed and removed at certain times. To notify people of the plan, the city had printed fliers in real bright colors, red, blue, pink, green - all noticeable, to explain the plan and advise that your buckets would cost a full dollar apiece. What I remember was how terribly embarrassed I was the noon I walked into Dr. Yocam's science class to have Fred Cochrane hand me that blaring pink paper as he said, “Here, read this, it won't cost you anything to read it, it'll cost you a dollar to join!” Downtown Dade City (1976)
The following article is taken from East Pasco's Heritage.
By THELMA TOUCHTON During the summer of 1926 I was en route from my home in Gainesville to St. Petersburg with a high school group. We stopped at a drug store in Dade City for “cokes,” then dispensed by curb service to the car. A few of us walked across the street to a large store and were amazed to find in it clothing, dry goods, notions, household supplies, hardware, groceries, and a meat market. None of us had never seen such an old-time general store (years before supermarkets); we found it both interesting and amusing. In 1933 on a return visit, I learned that the drug store, Touchton Drug Company, had been owned in 1926 by my future father-in-law, and that the "cokes" were probably dispensed and served by my future husband. The store that had everything was Coleman and Ferguson. This department store, established by H. W. Coleman and W. N. Ferguson, had been on that location, though in different buildings, since 1890. Coleman and Ferguson also built the first courthouse used by Pasco County, facing north on Meridian Avenue in the middle of the block between 7th and 8th Streets. Court was held there until about 1903 when the nucleus of the present courthouse was completed. I became a resident of Dade City in 1937, which makes me almost a newcomer. However, I have heard reminiscences from many whose families have been a part of the community since the late 1800's. My husband was the only child of Ruth Embry Touchton (Miss Folly), whose family came from Kentucky in 1898, and Charles Floyd Touchton, who came from Georgia in 1904. He worked for a year as a pharmacist in a drug store on the east side of 8th Street, owned by Dr. Thomas Seay and R. T. Thrasher. He returned in 1906 to a permanent position in the same store, then under Dr. Seay and Alec A. Boone as partners. Shortly thereafter he bought Dr. Seay's interest, and moved the business around the corner to the middle of the block, the site of the first courthouse. Subsequently he purchased Mr. Boone's interest, and the first Touchton Drug Company was started. On the northeast corner of this block (just west of the present courthouse), was a wooden building housing the Garner and Daiger Variety Store. Here Mr. Daiger later built the present brick structure which Dr. Touchton bought in 1922. A Touchton Drug Store remained there until 1957. However, in 1927 the business was sold to Dr. W. C. Touchton of Avon Park (founder of the Touchton Drug chain). Fred L. Touchton became manager, and Dr. and Mrs. Charles Touchton moved to Gainesville. They returned to Dade City in 1933, and he again assumed ownership from Fred Touchton, who had purchased the business several years before. Dr. Touchton and his son conducted the business until his death in 1957, Other owners conducted a drug business in this location until 1969. Until 1920 Dade City had only a few scattered single electric lights in the downtown area at night. Dr. Touchton was made chairman of a street lighting committee. Plans were made to have a "white way" on Meridian Avenue from the Seaboard tracks east to the Atlantic Coast Line depot. Not all property owners were in sympathy with this plan because of the expense. In order to have a continuous lighted area, Dr. Touchton paid for two blocks of lighting. With the great oaks arching over the streets and the new night lighting, Dade City became known as one of the prettiest towns in central Florida. Later residents have commented that they were first attracted to the city because of the pleasing views from the train on their initial visits to Florida. Since 1898 there has been some drug store in the block bounded by 7th and 8th Streets and Meridian and Pasco Avenues. On the northwest corner in 1893 F. P. McElroy had his drug store, followed in this location by Henry Clay Griffin, Erwin Seay, DeCarr Covington (business managed by Fred Touchton), Walgreen Drugs, Edwin J. Helen, and the present owner, Don Chandler. Earlier in this century Harry Neal had erected a building on the southeast comer where he had a drug store and a popular ice cream parlor, the Shop Perfect. This business was later purchased by Monroe Covington. Popular eating places over the years were Staley's Restaurant on the east side of 8th Street opposite the Seaboard depot; Lanier House where the mother of Mrs. Leta Lanier Thornton catered to select boarders; and a tearoom under Mrs. M. E. Houdlette, open only at noon and specializing in oyster dishes—a favorite meeting spot for friends. A special gathering place for young people was William Shofner's corner lunchroom, which at one time was the only place in town offering 24-hour food service. Mr. Shofner later moved his restaurant to the corner building erected by Harry Neal. To this day the location continues as a popular dining place. After Mr. Shofner was the Valencia owned by Joe Hevia and then by Tommy Barfield. It is now the Crest, operated by Earl Fitzgerald. No account of early Dade City would be complete without reference to the Osceola Hotel. This was built on the southwest corner of 5th Street and Meridian Avenue by M. L. Gilbert as a boarding house for workers of the Sunnybrook Tobacco Co. Later it was bought and operated by Mrs. Douglas Cochrane, whose daughters (Inez, Ethel, and Lula) and sons (William and Fred) were popular members of the younger set. The Osceola, both as a hotel and as a boarding house, became a home away from home for visitors and local people. One of the most "beloved figures of the town was Mrs. Rose Fyffe, known to all as Aunt Rose, who succeeded Mrs.. Cochrane. Among the regular boarders during the years were the families of John S. Burke, L. C. Hawes, Mrs. Laura Porter, DeCarr Covington, Monroe Covington, Frank Price, and C. F. Touchton, to name just a few. Fred Gregory, who came to Dade City with the L. B. McLeod Co., contractor for Pasco County's first paved roads, remained as a resident of the Osceola Hotel for many years. The Edwinola Hotel was built on the site of the old Dade City Hotel, which burned in 1907, by Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Gasque from Florence, S. C, and his brother-in-law, Mr. Gerow. This structure was completed about 1912, and for many years was the focal point of much of the city's social life. It was built not only for local residents, but also to attract winter people. On occasion Seaboard trains stopped in front of the hotel to allow passengers to detrain for meals. People came by train and auto from nearby towns to dine at this lovely spot. The hotel had frequent dances and parties which were attended by the "swinging set" of that day. Among these were Chris and Lou Spencer Lock, Edna Peebles (Turner), Mildred Butz (Huckaby Price), Jane Butz (Bourke), Dell Shofner (Douglas), Lawson Howard (May), Annabelle Clark (Ghiselin), Mabel Turner (Clark), Nell Coleman (Embry), George and Daisy May Massey, Younger and Edith O'Neal, Woots Huckaby, Fountain May, Darryl Clark, Frank Price, and many others. After being vacant for a number of years, the Edwinola was restored and reopened in October 1974, now a beautiful and successful restaurant. Popular with the ladies just after the turn of the century was Mrs. Carroll's Millinery Shop where hats were made to order. Shofner's Millinery sold hats, trimmings and dry goods, with a section where Mr. Shofner served ices with a variety of syrups much enjoyed by young and old. Schofield's sold laces, embroideries, and notions. J. R. A. Williams built the store operated for many years as Williams Department Store by several family members: Mr. Bob and Miss Anna Lee, Vergil, Paul, and Virginia. "Williams" is now owned and operated by Mr. Bob's nephew, Phil. Also in the area at various times were grocery stores owned by J. D. Sumner; S. F. Huckaby and his son Woots; Everett Thornton; and Vic Adams, to name a few. It was the custom in the 1920's through the 1940's for the ladies to do their marketing in midmorning and then meet at one of the drug stores for "cokes and conversation," a forerunner of today's coffee break. Other prominent merchants and businesses were Pasco Abstract Co. with the Locke family; Treiber and Otto Hardware; Madill, hardware and furniture; R. D. Guymon and Harry Tipton, bakeries; Covington, Gruetzmacher, Burks, and Butler, automobile dealerships. Coleman & Ferguson Co. (1934)This article appeared in the Dade City Banner on Nov. 30, 1934, on the 50th anniversary of the company.The Coleman & Ferguson Company, which was established in the pioneer days of Dade City, is planning to celebrate their fiftieth anniversary, December first. This company has developed into what we believe is Florida's largest independent country department store from a warm friendship that was started in Atlanta, Georgia, where Mr. H. W. Coleman and Mr. W. N. Ferguson first became acquainted, and this friendship lasted through life. Mr. H. W. Coleman was born in Henry county, Georgia, about twenty miles from Atlanta, in 1856. When eighteen years of age he entered the employment of Mr. D. P. Ferguson, in Jonesboro, as a clerk. A few years later Mr. Ferguson went to Atlanta and engaged in the manufacture of wagons and implements. His son, W. N. Ferguson, was his bookkeeper, and Mr. Coleman became the traveling salesman. The two young men were the closest of friends, and along with their work attended a business college in the city together. In 1882 Mr. Coleman married Miss Ella Dorsey of Jonesboro, and a year or two later made a business trip further south into Florida than he had gone before, and must have seen visions of the development of this state, for on his return to Atlanta he announced to his friends that he was going to Florida to stay. Mr. Ferguson was pleased with the idea and in a short time they were looking for a business site in this part of the state. Mr. William N. Ferguson was born in Atlanta, Ga, September 10, 1860. After coming with Mr. Coleman to Dade City in 1884 he met ... [illegible section] ...there was a great deal of sickness and several deaths, so one of the first purchases was "coffins," as they were then called, and they sent Harry Carleton over to Leesburg for them. Among their first purchases were two barrels of hard cider and some candy from "Black, the candy man," of Atlanta. About this same time the First National Bank opened in Tampa, which was a town of about 1200 population.
The fire was followed by the "big freeze" which ruined so many people in Florida, but with grit and confidence Coleman & Ferguson pushed ahead with their business, overcoming every obstacle and threatened catastrophe. Their trade has come from a radius of thirty miles around Dade City, and they have done considerable jobbing business with smaller country stores. From the very start they have been foremost in the mercantile life of Dade City. When Pasco county was set off from Hernando county and all the villages were after the county seat, Coleman & Ferguson built the first court house at a cost of $2,000 and gave it to the county. Later when a larger building was required and the site was again contested, it was bought largely through their efforts that it was retained in Dade City. Coleman & Ferguson bough the land where the Edwinola Hotel now stands and gave it to Mr. Delcher for a hotel site. Here the first hotel stood until destroyed by fire.
In 1904 Mr. J. Y. O'Neal, the present manager, was taken on by this firm, remaining with them ten years, when he resigned to assume the duties of postmaster of Dade City. This position he held for the next five years, or until the death of Mr. Coleman, which occurred in March of 1919. At this time a corporation was formed and Mr. O'Neal was made vice-president and general manager. Mr. Ferguson retired from active participation in the company at that time, enjoying his summers in his home in North Carolina and his winters in Tampa, where he died in January 1930. The present building of red brick and tile, two and one-half stories high, and measuring 60 x 123 feet, is located on the exact spot where the business has been conducted for thirty years. This building has cement floors and is as nearly fireproof as any building can be made. It is equipped with an automatic sprinkler system, which combined with its construction, makes the fire insurance almost nil. ...
Pioneer Tells Early History of Coleman & Ferguson Co. (1934)This letter was published in the Dade City Banner on Nov. 30, 1934.Winter Haven, Florida,
Mr. J. Y. O'Neal, Dear Mr. O'Neal: Relative to our conversation with reference to me being a pioneer customer of your store— What do I remember the day Coleman and Ferguson opened for business at Dade City. I was just ten years of age. Prior to Coleman and Ferguson opening business at Dade City, there had been several small stores, and when you called for many things these small merchants did not have in stock, they would take your order and have it shipped by the next wagon which was the only transportation at that time to Dade City. Coleman and Ferguson opened business with a bang, operated their own teams for moving their goods from Wildwood which was then the nearest railroad. Their store was first located in Old Town near the present site of the Ice and Power plant. It was a huge one-story building about one hundred and fifty feet long. The people in Sumter, Hernando as well as Pasco county all thought them foolish, the idea of such a big store in this neck of the woods. The goods began to arrive by the time the roof was on the building. In a few days that store was filled with merchandise of all kinds at first, except bolt cloth goods and ladies' dress goods. I have heard them say many times they just did not have room and time to bother with that class of merchandise. However, they had plenty of all other stock. They had a long rack built through the center of the store from front to rear; the rack held saddles of all kinds, bridles and harness and red virgin wool blankets for cattle men, cow whips, etc. This was to supply the cattle men trade. Also they had a complete stock of buggies, fine harness wagons, both one and two horse. They had guns of all dimensions, mostly muzzle loaders, as people in those days purchased black powder and shot and gun caps and did the loading with ram rod. I will say, however, the old deer hunter always brought home the bacon those days. They also carried a complete and up-to-date stock of groceries. All flour was packed in 196 pound wood barrels, half barrels 98 pounds; very few people purchased less than half barrel of flour. Their opening stock of shoes was the largest and most complete that had ever been shipped south of Palatka at that time, to any one firm in Florida. I have heard that verified by several old traveling shoe salesmen who knew. They drew the shoe trade from everywhere. Children bought shoes who never knew what shoes were, except homemade. They were also pioneers in Christmas goods, toys, etc. I have seen their store so jammed with people during Christmas week that getting what you wanted to buy was like the old Country Post Office at mail opening time. About 1887 the town of Dade City had convinced Coleman and Ferguson that they would succeed and they needed more room. Hence they built a very large two story building where the present store is located. In the meantime there had started up several stores, very good merchants, one J. T. Lawrence & Bro., and W. J. Thebeaut and Bro., and W. J. Thebeaut and Bro., but for some reason they quit; also C. C. Grace & Co., who operated a chain of gents furnishing goods all through Georgia; they also moved away. When Coleman and Ferguson moved to their new building, their stock was as complete as humanly possible to make it. Their stock of clothing and ladies' dress goods was as up-to-date and as high quality as the world's market afforded. In fact, everything that C & F sold was of only goods with a world-wide reputation for quality and thoroughly established. I have never known a person to buy anything from them and complain of getting an inferior product, or being over charged or any mistake not being gladly corrected. That was the type of those men and the reputation they had throughout South Florida. Coleman and Ferguson controlled the American Fence Company products; they sold fence to all hardware dealers in South-west Florida as well as to consumers. C & F always rendered a service and courtesy in their store that I seldom have seen equalled in any business. The reminiscing of the Coleman, Ferguson Company affords me a great pleasure, because I have learned a great deal by observing the difference in the various characters of this life. For many years it has been my humble place in this world to gain trade for my employers by rendering a service. Often it comes to me so plainly how these pioneer merchants took hold here and made a great success. There was nothing small about C & F and I have observed that it is the little things in a business or anything else, that discourages, destroys and otherwise brings failure. I have been a constant customer of C & F since they started business 50 years ago. I am glad to say if I could live another 50 years and Coleman and Ferguson would continue in this business, I would still trade with them. I have always admired the spirit of Coleman, Ferguson, & Co. Sincerely, DES:L Mr. Sumner has a daughter and son living near Dade City, Mrs. A. V. Bugbee, who with her husband operates the restaurant and Mr. Joe Sumner who lives on one of Mr. Sumner's nice groves.
St. Mary’s Episcopal ChurchAccording to a web page, this church was organized on the west side of Lake Pasadena on October 10, 1891, and constructed a sanctuary in 1892.According to The Historic Places of Pasco County, “Organized in 1891, St. Mary’s originally served Anglican settlers at Lake Pasadena. Its first resident priest, the Reverend James Neville-Thompson, was ordained there in 1892. After the great freeze in 1895, the building fell into disuse while remnants of the congregation held services at the Lock home in Dade City. In 1909 the structure was moved [to Dade City] by mule train. The sacristy was added in 1921, the chancel in 1927, and the body of the church was enlarged in 1975.” An early document of the Florida Episcopal church reports, “Brooksville has lately had the temporary services of the Rev. Justin Field, who has also given some services at Lake Buddy, near Dade City, recently organized as a mission, with twenty communicants.” Rev. Field preached at Brooksville for about three months in 1892, according to an article about him. Another early Florida Episcopal church document, probably written by Rev. Field, has: “In addition to my regular work, I have visited and officiated at Brooksville and Lake Buddy, two Sundays at each place—opening for service a small church at Lake Buddy, and organizing the mission. In that connection I visited the new town of Inverness, the county seat of Citrus County ....” The following is taken from East Pasco’s Heritage (1976) and was written by Dorothy Lock and Edward Garren. St. Mary’s Mission Church held its first service on October 10, 1891, in its building on the west side of Lake Pasadena, with forty souls present. Even after the freeze of 1894-95 devastated the early citrus culture, a faithful few members held services, using the Presbyterian Church building in Dade City. Rev. J. H. Weddell came at intervals from Thonotosassa. The present lot on Magnolia Avenue at Eleventh Street in Dade City was purchased in 1909 for $300. The church building from St. Mary’s Road, Pasadena, was moved and rebuilt for $619. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church of Dade City was dedicated and consecrated in 1910. The church is located at 37637 Magnolia Avenue in Dade City.
Mount Zion A. M. E. Church
This article was apparently written by a member of the church. Thanks to Jeff Cannon for providing it to this web site.
Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church was born in hearts and minds of a few dedicated Christians of the "A. M. E." persuasion during the Spanish American War, circa 1898. Much of its history or its origin has been lost, never to be recovered. However, through much research, personal contacts and diligent efforts, it has been creditably established that one of the leading spirits in the movement was Rev. Amos Thompson, an A. M. E. Minister and resident (home owner) in the community. It was he who led the first three Trustees, Rufus Johnson, George Young, and B. T. Green, in purchasing the first parcel of land that the Church owned. Today, the Church's Annex sits on that piece of land. The purchase was made in the year 1903. Mr. H. H. Hinley and Mrs. L. M. Hinley were the original owners. The transaction is recorded m the Courthouse of Pasco County, Book 22, page 5,521. Later, two lots, adjacently located, were purchased by a new board of Trustees: G. B. Burroughs, A. Bailey and J. R. Eagle. The cost: $75.00 each. it is recorded in Book 25, page 110. The validity of this statement was proven and attested to by four of the oldest living members: Sisters Etta Howard, who became a member of the Church in 1902, Francis Harvin, Lillie Nance, and Bessie Hester. Due to the lack of written records, we are not certain as to who was the first pastor. However, from information gathered from many sources, it seems factual that it was either Rev. Bell, Rev. McCrary Hawkins or Rev. Amos Thompson. It is interesting to note that Rev. Amos Thompson, natural father of Mrs. Francis Harvin, was an active leader in the community and one of the first freeholders of blacks here. Now that the two lots were acquired, there was a new addition. The congregation settled down to a new life of growth and development. The Citrus industry and land had already been established in the county, attracting many new people, and the coming of World War I, simply accelerated the influx; hence, Mt. Zion, along with St. Paul and St. John Baptist Churches received their share of new comers. Almost overnight its membership doubled. This growth and expansion in membership naturally brought on the need for more space, a new Church. The answer to this need was the coming of the Rev. W. W. A. Pickett as Pastor. Within no time, so to speak, the new Mt. Zion edifice as she stands today became a reality. The new structure was completed in 1920. The Fathers and Mothers who built it need to be congratulated for a job well done. Some of the laymen of the Church were: Rufus Johnson (First superintendent of the Sunday School), George Young, G. V. Burroughs, A. Bailey, J. R. Eagle, Ben Baisden (land owner and foreman of Lake Buddy), Andy Johnson, Ossie Howard, B. T. Green, James Gregg, Will Harris, Sr., Henry Hester, Angeline Baisden Curklin [Kirkland], Lillie Nance, sis. Jones, Nancy King, Mary McBride, and Hattie Tate. Those living today who have been members of Mt. Zion over fifty years are: Aretha Burroughs, John Ollie Johnson, Cora Bennette, Simeon Howard, Cora Hill, Rebecca Mitchell, and Dorothy Baker. Bishops who have presided over the Eleventh Episcopal District are: Bishops W. J. Gaines, J. A. Handy, B. T. Tanner, M. B. Salter, L. J. Coppin, John Hurst, J. S. Flipper, H. Y. Tookes, A. J. Allen, J. H. Gregg, C. A. Gibbs, D. W. Nichols, S. L. Green, W. F. Ball (former Pastor), E. C. Hatcher, G. N. Collins, Wayman Blakely, G. D. Robinson, H. N. Robinson, S. S. Morris, P. R. Cousin, and Frank C. Cummings (present). Presiding Elders who have Presided: Revs. Macklyn, A. Jackson, W. W. A. Pickett, J. A. Brown, S. A. Ferrell, W. D. Horton, A. A. Williams, W. D. Petters, D. A. Anderson, J. A. Roberts, G. A. Rutledge, J. C. Williams, W. M. Roberson, Blaine, W. S. White, H. E. Green, Le Roy Kennon, M. D. Potters. Pastors who have served: Revs. Bell, McCrary, Amos Thompson, D. D. Dickerson, Archie Redman, J. D. Washington, W. W. A. Pickett, J. W. Dukes, R. D. Nimmon, J. A. Walker, sr., J. D. Jones, W. F. Ball, Chisholm Banapart, Lavanden, H. J. Kiney, J. B. Young, S. E. James, E. D. Dempsey, R. W. Wilson, G. J. Oates, R. H. Damer, I. D. Ford, W. L. Byrd, A. J. Covington, J. W. Burno, Jessie Brown, T. D. Davis, W. M. Burke, W. Jenkins, T. P. King, C. L. Cook, Al Trudell, James Crews, James Kerney, Preston Adams, K. D. White, Jr., and Nathan Mugala (present). St. Rita Catholic Church (1976)
The photo at left is taken from The Historic Places of Pasco
County. It was provided by the church. The building was moved by the
Dade City Garden
Club in 1976 for use as a garden center. The following article is taken
from East Pasco’s Heritage.
By WILLIAM FINGERHUT St. Rita Catholic Church was established as a mission in 1913. Since there were few Catholics in Dade City at that time, the mission was largely supported by the Catholic Extension Society and individual benefactors from the North. The Order of St. Benedict, of St. Leo Abbey, cooperated in the founding of this church. At the request of the Rt. Rev. Michael J. Curley, Bishop of St. Augustine, and under the direction of Abbot Charles Mohr of St. Leo, the monks of the abbey organized missions through Hernando County, which at that time included Pasco and Citrus counties. The priests and brothers of the abbey have served St. Rita continuously since its beginning. The first Mass was celebrated in St. Rita on March 4, 1913. The small mission church was only twenty feet wide and thirty feet long. The Bishop was detained by bad roads in his journey from St. Augustine, and failed to arrive in Dade City in time for the service. Father Augustine Feller, of St. Leo, conducted the dedicatory Mass in his stead. The mission progressed rapidly; within two years, in 1915, plans were made to enlarge the church. The enlarged structure, basically the present St. Rita, was consecrated on March 4, 1917. The bishop was present for this opening service. Soon other improvements were made, including the installation of stained glass windows, imported from France. The vestibule and bell tower were added, and the parish hall was completed for social activities. In the earliest years of the mission church, pastors resided at St. Leo Abbey and traveled to Dade City on horseback. The following pastors have served St. Rita and its parish: Fathers Augustine Feller, Aloysius Dressman, Francis Sadlier, Edgar Lang, John Schlicht, Ernest Schultz, Andrew Metzger, and the present pastor, Benedict Weigand. Father Sadlier later became the second abbot of St. Leo. Father Schultz and his successors have maintained their residence in the church rectory on North Fourteenth Street. The original St. Rita Church, which has served the Catholics of the Dade City area for so many years, will not be a landmark much longer. A new church complex is now under construction just east of the old structure. The new church, necessitated by the growth of the parish, will have a seating capacity of 300. Included in the new complex will be a chapel for weekday services, and facilities for social activities and religious education. The stained glass windows and some of the statues of the old church will be installed in the new edifice, establishing a link between the past and the future. The completion of the new St. Rita Church in 1976 will be another milestone of Christian progress in our city. The church web site includes a history page.
First Baptist Church of Dade City (1976)The following article is taken from East Pasco’s Heritage.By JOHN L. EPTING Oak Grove Baptist Church was organized before 1870 at Fort Dade community. Its cemetery later became Dade City Municipal Cemetery. On Nov. 14, 1891, ten leading families of Oak Grove organized College Street Baptist Church on the present site in Dade City. The street was named for South Florida Normal Institute, established in 1887, which operated for many summers in Dade City School building. The church also met in the schoolhouse until its building was completed in June 1892. In 1895 Oak Grove dissolved and the rest of its members came to College Street Baptist Church. Baptists then were very strict, requiring moral lives, regular attendance, and financial support from members. Slackers who did not mend their ways were dropped from the church roll. In 1899 and again in 1905 the church building burned and had to be rebuilt. In 1905 the church ladies bought a house east of the church for a pastorium. In 1919 a basement and Sunday School annex were added to the church. In 1940 an old church building was bought and moved behind the church for a fellowship hall and classrooms. In 1944 the street had been renamed Church Avenue, and the name of the church was changed to First Baptist Church of Dade City. In 1950 the first units of the present brick building were begun. The first pastorium was moved to the corner of Meridian and Thirteenth St. to make room. The present sanctuary and east classroom wing were completed in 1955. The whole block was secured, and the second pastorium built north of the church. In 1960 the chapel and west classroom wing were completed. Radio ministry was begun in 1958. Fort Dade Mission was started in 1942, established as a church in 1952, and helped until 1972. Ridge Manor Mission was started in 1974. First Baptist Church shared its office and classroom space with Pasco-Hernando Community College for two years until the college campus was completed. A Senior Citizens Group meets at the church monthly. The W. M. U. Crisis Committee gives emergency aid to community residents and transients. Resident membership in First Baptist Church is now 400 families, with average Sunday School attendance 300. Pastors who have served First Baptist Church are: P. C. Drew, 1892; W. M. Wamboldt, 1893-96; W. E. Bogart, 1897-99; George T. Leitner, 1900-05; W. D. Tumley, 1906-10; W. A. Burns, 1910-13; T. S. Hubert, 1913-15; Ben Brooks, 1915-16; Milton M. Bales, 1917-18; O. E. Tebow, 1918-21; B. G. Smith, 1921-24; J. N. Vandiver, 1924-27; W. K. E. James, 1929-31; E. L. Andrews, 1931-35; Jimmy Parrish, 1936-38; Albert A. Stulck, 1938-42; Elbert C. Tyner, 1942-60; Lamar Brooks, 1960-64; Paul Wonders, 1965-70; Thomas N. Langley, 1970-72; Thomas C. Broomall, 1972 to the present.
First United Methodist Church of Dade City (1976)The following article is taken from East Pasco’s Heritage.By CATHERINE McINTOSH and ESTHER SHELTON The First United Methodist Church of Dade City had its beginning in 1886. The first services were held in a store building that was afterward used as the courthouse when Pasco County was formed from a part of Hernando County in 1887. The building was located on the southwest corner of the present courthouse square. Methodist Circuit Riders had served the pioneer residents from 1870 until 1886. Among the trustees of the new church was W. N. Ferguson, of the merchandise firm of Coleman and Ferguson; his wife was the first church organist. The first church building was erected in 1889 by James E. Lee, pioneer from Dawson, Ga., who had arrived with his family in a covered wagon in October, 1881. The first wedding held in the new church building was that of his daughter, Annie Elizabeth Lee, who became the bride of Simeon F. Huckabay in October, 1889. The original sanctuary when first constructed was considered one of the finest church buildings in the state. Much of this sanctuary was preserved in the rebuilding of the church during the pastorate of Dr. W. W. Laite. Sturdily constructed of heart pine and cypress, the church withstood being moved from the corner of the church lot to its present position on the same lot. Church services were held for several months at the Pasco Theater while this work was being done. A Children's Chapel was donated by Mr. and Mrs. David O. Nihart; this now houses the Wesley Creative School for children, a weekday kindergarten. On Sunday, May 16, 1954, the sanctuary and chapel were opened for worship in a program which included a sermon by the late Bishop John Branscomb, who laid the cornerstone on the foundation of the church tower. During the pastorate of Dr. C. M. Cotton, 1935-39, the two-story educational building of the church was erected. Under the leadership of Rev. W. Harold Miller, 1956-62, this building was remodeled, some further remodeling was done in the sanctuary, and the Parish Hall, now known as Miller Hall, was built. All exteriors were rebuilt with cypress siding and brick wainscot.
First Presbyterian Church of Dade City (1976)The following article is taken from East Pasco’s Heritage.By MOLLIE RYAN and BETTE PETWAY First Presbyterian Church of Dade City was organized January 13, 1889, by Evangelist L. H. Wilson, who served as supply pastor until 1894. The first officers were: Elders, William Carson and B. C. Campbell; Deacons, Robert L. Seay and Gabriel Chandler. Rev. Arthur Rowbotham was the first regular pastor, from 1894 to 1899. During his pastorate the lot was secured and the present church and manse built. In 1948 an organ was presented by Mrs. Elwyn Butts. In 1951 the Sunday School rooms and kitchen were remodeled. The church is proud of its members who have entered
full-time Christian service since 1889:
Katherine Barnes, Christian education; The Women's Auxiliary has supported not only local but also foreign missions. The sewing group has provided clothing for the needy in local schools as well White Cross supplies for hospitals and gifts for Presbyterian children’s homes. The Auxiliary has provided laboratory supplies for Dr. James Boyce's medical mission in Mexico, and has participated in collecting Green Stamps which were used to purchase a Piper Cub plane for the mission. In 1944 Bibles were furnished for German prisoners in the Dade City prisoner-of-war camp. In 1974 a pipe organ designed by Karl Wilhelm in Germany was dedicated in memory of Mr. Herbert S. Massey Sr. as a gift from his family. Mr. Paul Jenkins, head of the organ department of the Music School at Stetson University, played the dedicatory recital. The following pastors have served the church: L. H. Wilson, 1889-94; Arthur Rowbotham, 1894-99; V. H. Starbuck, l899; Albert Pierce, 1900-04; J. M. Auld, 1904-06; Charles Kingsley, 1907-11; C. E. Wildman, 1912; D. L. Lander, 1913-15; R. W. Abraham, 1915-19; J. H. C. Brown, 1919-23; C. W. Latham, 1924-34; D. L. Wood. 1934-37; T. E. Nelson, 1937-39; Ray Nelson, 1939-42; Rev. Everington, 1942-47; Lanny Parnell, 1947-49; James Goad, 1949-57; H. Reid Newland, 1957-62; John B. Campbell, 1963-65; Robert L. Conner, 1966-71; Dr. E. J. Humphrey, 1971-72; Dr. J. Moody McNair, 1972; Dr. Robert W. Kirkpatrick, 1972 to the present.
The Bank of Pasco County County Sets 80th Anniversary (1969)This article appeared in a booklet published by the bank in 1969.The Bank of Pasco County, which has been in continuous operation since it opened its doors for business on September 5, 1889, will celebrate its 80th anniversary with Open House on Thursday, September 25th and Friday, September 26th, 1969 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. All customers and friends are invited to share in this celebration by visiting the bank. Tours will be conducted through the bank, and there will be refreshments, gifts, and prizes. Leon R. Douglas, President of the bank, will be assisted by other officers, directors, and personnel in welcoming all guests. The Bank of Pasco County, which holds Charter No. 3, dated September 5, 1889, and Quincy State Bank, are the two oldest state banks in Florida. The Bank of Pasco County which has as its slogan, "The Old Reliable", has among its customers the fifth generation of the original depositors. The first published statement of the bank on December 31, 1889, showed total resources of $43,960.52. Deposits were $25,534.73. The current statement as of June 30, 1969, shows total resources of $18,437,470.89. Deposits as of that date were $16,971,381.39. The Bank is a member of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and has been since F.D.I.C. was established in 1933. The Bank is also a member of the Florida Bankers Association, Independent Bankers Association and American Bankers Association. The Bank of Pasco County was established two years after Pasco County was formed in 1887 from a portion of Hernando County, and about three years after the present location of Dade City was surveyed. The surrounding area of Dade City and the eastern section of the new Pasco County was a thick forest of large virgin pine trees, which attracted the attention of five Florida men interested in the fast growing turpentine business. They decided such natural wealth must bring growth enough to Dade City to warrant the establishment of a bank. Acting on this decision, A. A. Parker and C. E. Newell of Tavares, Russell T. Hall and M. T. Hall of Jacksonville, and J. C. Pace of Altoona chose Dade City as the site for The Bank of Pasco County, which was duly incorporated on September 5, 1889. The capital stock was $15,000 with 150 shares of $100 par value. These organizers of the bank became its first directors. The present capital stock of the bank is $500,000, and the surplus fund is $600,000. At the time of the organization of the bank, no surplus fund was required. The bank remains on its original location at the corner of E. Meridian Avenue and 7th Street (Plum Street on the original plat of Dade City), which is U. S. Highway 301 through Dade City. The original two-story brick building is the nucleus of the present modernized bank, with an attractive interior, well arranged departments with splendidly equipped offices and a large room for meetings, of the Board of Directors, and a well equipped conference room. The several additions and renovations have provided for eleven windows for serving the public, including three drive-in windows, to make a total of eight windows used by receiving and paying tellers; a window each for the savings teller and the collection teller, also the bookkeeping window, and an Installment Loan Department and Commercial Loan Department. Extending across the west wall of the lobby is a significant painting of Florida's "forest primeval" and its wealth of pine trees, which prompted the establishment of the Bank of Pasco County. During the 80 years since the organization of the Bank of Pasco County, it has had only six presidents. A. A. Parker, one of the organizers of the bank, the first president, served for three years. Charles H. Robinson, who became a director of the bank in 1890, succeeded Parker in 1892 to become the bank's second president, with H. W. Coleman, pioneer merchant as vice president, an office he held for 28 years until his death in 1919. With W. N. Ferguson, another pioneer merchant, a member of the board of directors of the bank for 17 years, they formed the firm of Coleman and Ferguson, whose trade name continues to be prominent among Dade City's business firms. W. I. Porter, whose connection with the bank began with his election to the board of directors in 1891, became the bank's cashier in 1892 and succeeded Robinson in 1914 as the bank's third president. Porter held this office through 1919 until his retirement. In 1920, Dr. L. A. Bize of Tampa was chosen as the fourth president of the Bank of Pasco County and served through 1929. A. F. Price, who became the bank's fifth president in 1930, began his career of 53 years in the Bank of Pasco County on June 10, 1908, and worked there continuously until his death on June 25,1961. He began serving as an officer in 1912, when he became assistant cashier to W. I. Porter, cashier. Price became cashier in 1914, when Porter was elected president Price continued to serve as cashier until 1926 when he was elected vice president to succeed John Raymond, deceased. With the resignation of Dr. Bize as president, the directors elected Price as president, and he assumed his duties at the beginning of the year 1930 and held this office until his death, after a long and valuable record service of 32 1/2 years as "the boss", the friendly title accorded him by his associates. Coincident with the recognition accorded him by the bank on April 11, 1958, for his 50 years' employment was the presentation to him by the Florida Bankers' Association of a certificate of his election to membership in the Half Century Club of the association in appreciation of his having "devoted 50 years or longer to active service in the profession of banking in Florida." The certificate, in a framed plaque, one of President Price's prized possessions, bears the gold seal of the Florida Bankers Association and signatures of the president and vice president of the association, and the date of presentation. Mrs. Laura Spencer Porter, who became associated with the Bank in September, 1908, also holds membership in the Half Century Club of the Florida Bankers Association, presented to her in September, 1958, on her 50th anniversary of employment in the Bank. She became assistant cashier to A. F. Price, cashier, in 1920, and served six years in this office until he became vice president in 1926, and she became cashier. She served in this office seven years and then continued in the dual office of cashier and vice president from 1933 through 1939. As vice president, in 1930, 1931, and 1932, following membership on the board of directors since 1911. Mrs. Porter, while inactive, continues to hold the office of vice president. Leon R. Douglas, the bank's genial and efficient president, became an employee of the Bank of Pasco County in May, 1924, celebrating his 45 years with the bank the past May. He became assistant cashier in 1933, cashier in 1940, and executive vice presided and cashier in 1961 and succeeded the late A. F. Price as president on August 8, 1961. His membership on the board of directors began in 1941. Mrs. Marie Platt, a well known former employee of the bank, began her employment on January 2, 1922, became assistant cashier in 1934, and held this office until her retirement in 1957. H. S. Massey was serving as vice president and chairman of the board of directors at the time of his death on June 24,1968; succeeding his father, G. B. Massey, to the board of directors in 1925. W. V. Gilbert, former tax assessor and postmaster of Dade City, served as a member of the board of directors from 1926 until resigning in late 1963, shortly before his death. J. A. Barthle, who became a member of the board in 1934, is in his 35th year as a director, now serving as Director Emeritus. The bank's history during its 80 years has included many outstanding businessmen on its board of directors who shared in the building of Dade City. I n addition to those already mentioned, others, now deceased, include N. H. Garner, John Raymond, Col. J. A. Hendley, F. S. Daiger, C. A. Lock (who was also an assistant cashier in 1908, 1909, and 1910), and J. C. Griffin. L. C. Hawes, Sr. was elected a director on August 8, 1961, and is now serving as vice-chairman of the board of directors. James L. Huckabay was elected a director on January 4, 1962, and is now serving as chairman of the board of directors. Ben R. Adams was elected as director on January 9, 1964. A. O. Kiefer was elected as director on January 9, 1964. A. H. Schrader was elected as director on January 6, 1966. The present board of directors is composed of Ben R. Adams, J. A. Barthle, Leon R. Douglas, L. C. Hawes, Sr., James L. Huckabay, A. O. Kiefer, and A. H. Schrader. Dade City Article of IncorporationTranscription of this document was provided by Jeff Cannon.Notice of Incorporation The citizens of Dade City within the boundaries specified below will meet at the Court House on Tuesday the 15th day of January A. D. 1889 at ten o'clock A. M. for the purpose of holding an election to decide the question of no incorporation of the said town of Dade City and also of the majority of voters cast are in favor of A Mayor, Five Alderman, A Marshall and Clerk. The following boundaries include the proposed incorporate limits viz: Beginning at the South East corner of the SE1/4 of the SE1/4 Section 27, Township 24 South, Range 21 E. thence East1/4 of a mile to find a starting point, thence North three quarters of a mile, thence West three quarters of a mile, thence South three quarters of a mile, thence West one hundred and ten yards, thence South one quarter of a mile, thence East fourteen hundred and thirty yards, thence North one quarter of a mile to point of beginning. The registered residents within said boundary & limits are urged to attend the election and to participate in it. Polls will be opened at 10 a. m. on said day and closed at 4 P. M. Citizens of Dade City Pursuant to the above Notice published weekly for a period of thirty days previous to the 15th day of January A. D. 1889 in the Pasco County Democrat, a newspaper published weekly in the town of Dade City, Pasco County, Florida. Forty seven qualified voters being not less than two thirds of those whom it is proposed to incorporate came to the Court House in Dade City where the Polls were duly and legally opened on the 15th day of December A. D. 1889. R. H. Hartley, J. P. Wallace and J. J. Smith being duly impowered to act as managers and inspectors of said election proceeded to incorporate the city of Dade City and complying with the laws relation to incorporation proceeded to and elected the following officer to wit: For Mayor- Jno B. Johnston For Councilmen- F. P McElroy, D. Clermont, J. T. McMichael, A. A. Boone, J. E. Lee For Clerk and Assessor- Jno. C. Calhoun For Marshall and Collector- Wm. Beard And the following bounds were adopted for the City of Dade City viz: Beginning of the South East corners of the SE quarter (1/4) of SE quarter (1/4) of Section Twenty Seven (27), Township Twenty Four (24) South of Range Twenty-one (21) East thence east one quarter of a mile to field a starting point, thence North three fourth of a mile of a mile, thence West three fourths of a mile, thence South three fourths of a mile, thence West one hundred and ten yards, thence South one quarter of a mile, thence east fourteen hundred and thirty yards, thence North one fourth of a mile to point of beginning. And the following seal was adopted as incorporation. Seal of said City of Dade City. {SEAL} Jno B. Johnston, Mayor J. C. Calhoun Waivers of Incorporation and Registered Voters 1-T. J. Howard 2-D. J. Current 3-J. T. McMichael 4-G. M. Roberts 5- E. R. Wallace 6-J. U. Senniur 7-H. W. Coleman 8-John B. Johnston 9-Henry Macon 10-J. C. Overstreet 11-J. D. Sumner 12-D. T. McLeod 13-T. H. Thompson 14-W. A. Vickers 15-C. W. Bell 16-Will Cohen 17-D. Dortch 28-Wash Robles 19-J. C. Sumner 20-J. E. Lee 21-George W. Young 22-W. H. Garner 23-A. A. Boone 24-J. C. Calhoun 25- J. A. Grady 26-J. A. Hendley 27-C. T. Lewis 28-S. F. Huckabay 29- J. J. Smith 30-C. T. Seay 31-J. B. Roberts 32-W. Kindall 33-H. O. Benton 34-R. L. Seay 35-Wiley Sprouls 36-B. D. Sturkie 37-W. U. Ferguson, 38-H. J. Burton 39-H. H. Henley 40-J. G. Wallace 41-J. G. Roberts 42-T. L Shofner 43-T. B. Porter 44-F. S. Daiger 45-J. K Davis 46-J. P Wallace 47-R. H. Hartley Recorded this 18th day Jany A. D. 1889 |
When the Seaboard railroad was built, about 1886, the business
location was not entirely satisfactory, and a new town was laid out to
the south of the old site. Coleman & Ferguson bought a block in the
center of the plat and built a larger store to accommodate their
increasing business. This store was burned about 1896 and they erected
the building which was moved back to make way for the new brick store
in which they are now located.
Mr. Coleman was interested in the Bank of Pasco County since
its inception, built the bank home, the first brick building in Dade
City, and was vice-president and a director for a number of years
before his death. He also helped materially to build the Masonic Hall,
being a member of the lodge; bought and gave the land for the school
house, and both he and Mr. Ferguson gave largely toward the building of
the various churches and all charitable work of the community.