I moved to the New Port Richey, Florida area when I was 22 years old. I was drawn to the area because of the similarities between New Port Richey and where I came from on Long Island, NY. New Port Richey is right on the Gulf of Mexico and the "Cottee River" runs through the city and opens up into the Gulf. With plenty of waterfront dining, boating and parks to enjoy I just fell in love. One walk along the river near Sims Park in New Port Richey and you will fall in love.
I decided to write a series on the History of New Port Richey, Florida so more people can learn about the rich history of the city that I Live, Work and Play in. I sell land in New Port Richey and I feel that having the most knowledge of the area that I can will help me assist my customers in selling or buying their homes in New Port Richey, Florida.
The beginning of New Port Richey actually starts with the beginning of Port Richey. There is record that in 1911 The Port Richey Land co. purchased part of the land of The Aripeka Saw Mills. Today, Aripeka is a small city laying between Hudson Florida and Spring Hill Florida and is primarily the remaining land that the final saw mill and mine sat on. I do not believe that Aripeka is an actual city but survives in name only and shares the Hudson, Florida zip code.
The Port Richey Co. consisted of P.L.Wells who was a turpentine operator in Brooksville Florida, his brother J.S. Weeks JR. and W.E. Guilford who formerly worked with the Gillette Safety Razor Co. A map labeled "Port Richey Company, Plan for Town of Port Richey" was recorded in public records. W.E.Guilford drew up the map. It apparently has many of the streets and avenues surveyed but none were named.
Building a city would take building materials and in order to get those materials in 1911, you would need a railway. Port Richey Northern Railway was mentioned in a publication by The Port Richey Co. stating that the railway was currently 2 miles outside of the city and they expected the railway to be complete by Dec 1, 1911. It seems there was a delay in completion because they needed to build a railway bridge. You can see the Railway Map here. 
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