HISTORY OF PASCO COUNTY

Loyce

Loyce School

Jan. 12, 1885. A post office is established at Loyce. The early postmasters were Joseph H. Shively, Felix C. Winham, and William A. Jordan.

1885-1886. A list of Hernando County schools includes a school at Loyce, which was then part of Hernando County.

1886-1887. The Florida State Gazetteer has:

LOYCE. Population, 17. Joseph H. Shively, postmaster. This is a country settlement post office and sometimes called Big Prairie Settlement. It is situated 12 miles southwest of Brooksville, the county seat, the shipping point and nearest express and telegraph station. Tampa is the nearest banking place. Mails Tuesday and Saturday. Cotton is the principal shipment. Has a church and school. Lands sell at $10 to $25 per acre. Mrs. Nina Tracey, school teacher. Orange growers: A. J. Baggs, A. J. Baggs Jr., James Gillett, Mrs. Mary Gillett, R. J. Hines, P. B. Hogan, W. A. Jordan, Hugh McKnatt, J. B. Mecham, J. H. Shively, Wm. Thompson, Oliver Tracy, D. E. Winham, F. C. Winham.

1896. According to the historic marker, David Gillett donates a one-acre site for the Gillett-Loyce cemetery.

Dec. 5, 1910. A post office is re-established, with William R. McNatt the postmaster. In 1912, Mrs. A. L. Brown became postmistress. The post office was discontinued in 1920.

March 10, 1914. A newspaper mentions J. C. Gant of Loyce.

Oct. 25, 1914. A newspaper mentions J. T. Harold, a bookkeeper at Loyce employed by J. C. Brown.

Dec. 12, 1914. The Tampa Morning Tribune reports:

J. C. Brown, “daddy” of Loyce, a spring of prosperity on the Tampa Northern Railroad, was in the city yesterday enjoying the company of George Broadhurst, auditor of the Aripeka Saw Mills. Mr. Brown is the “whole works” at Loyce, being proprietor of a saw mill, owning a stave factory and a mammoth tie business. He controls most of the wood output in that section. Life at Loyce is “the life,” according to Mr. Brown, and Mr. Broadhurst corroborates the boast. Hog killing time is on and happy citizens are too busy gnawing back bones and spare ribs to listen to disquieting rumors of psychological depressions.

Dec. 28, 1914. The Tampa Morning Tribune reports that the remains of Mrs. Ryals will be interred today at Loyce.

Sept. 10, 1915. The Tampa Morning Tribune reports that the funeral for Mrs. Alice McNatte, 41, will be held at Loyce.

Aug. 31, 1917. The Tampa Morning Tribune reports that Mr. Louis D. Buie of Loyce, a well-known turpentine man, married Miss Ida L. Thompson of Fivay Junction.

June 15, 1919. An advertisement in the Tampa Morning Tribune reads, “WANTED—Good sawyer and mill foreman at once that can bring some men with him. Will pay wages or contact. None but hustler need apply. J. D. Joyce, Loyce, Fla.”

June 25, 1919. An advertisement in the Tampa Morning Tribune reads “WANTED—A partner in saw mill and shingle mill, who has cash to invest. To be active or inactive in the business. I have the mill and timber and teams for logging. Will sell half or all of business. This is one chance in lifetime for the right man. $2,000 (?) cash. Terms on balance. Address Postmaster, Loyce, Fla.”

Aug. 7, 1927. A newspaper reports that Wallace McNatt and Ira Boyd of Loyce were in Tampa Monday.