Florida State Gazetteer (1886-1887)

The following are the entries from southern Hernando County in the Florida State Gazetteer and Business Directory (1886-87), by South Publishing Co. The publication gives the population of Fort Dade as 1200. This seems erroneous; the figure 200 may have been intended.

ANCLOTE. Population, 80. John M. Craver, postmaster. This little village is situated at the border line of Hillsborough and Hernando counties; immediately on the division line, but the post-office is in Hillsborough. It lies at the mouth of Anclote river, and is the terminal point of the projected line of the Silver springs, Ocala and Gulf Railroad, which is now in course of construction. Tampa and Brooksville are the county seats; the former 30 miles and the latter 45 miles distant. Tampa is the nearest banking place, express and telegraph office. All shipments to this point should be sent via Cedar Keys. The Gulf Steamboat Co. runs line from Cedar Keys to this point twice weekly. There is stage line from Tampa three times weekly to Bayview, which makes connections at Tarpon Springs with a boat for Anclote. The fare form Anclote to Tampa by this route is $3.75; between Anclote and Tarpon Springs it is 25 cents. This place has mail communications with Tampa three times a week, and with Brooksville twice a week, receiving mails Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Anclote was first settled in 1880, and it has a hotel, two stores, saw and planing mill, Baptist and Methodist churches and a school. Oranges, lemons, limes and vegetables are the principal shipments. Among the necessities of the place, a caning factory would prove successful, as there are many fruits grown in this section such as the lime, guava, pineapple, Scuppernong grapes, &c., that cannot be shipped North to advantage. There are other openings for capital and brains to develop a good, paying business. Anclote lumber mills, Eugene L. Tessier and A. A. Farquhar, props. Anclote school, Miss C. M. Crosby, teacher. B. Anderson, freight and pass. transfer (Anclote and Tarpon Springs). M. L. Anderson, butcher. J. O. Carroll, carpenter. John M. Craver, postmaster, notary public, and agt. Gulf Steamboat Co. J. C. Craver, physician. S. S. Crosby, tinsmith. H. T. Ferguson, lighterage. J. D. Gause, carpenter and constable. E. A. Hill, justice of the peace and general merchandise. S. E. Hope, land agent. G. M. Morrish, prop. Palmetto House, gen. mdse. and agt. Fla. Land & Col. Co. Rev. Parker, pastor M. E. church. H. F. Pent, carpenter and oysters. Rev. Pittman, pastor Baptist church. S. Switzer, carpenter. W. Watkins, fish. Farmers and growers not listed above are: W. J. Baillie, Mrs. M. T. Brown, W. A. Cobb, W. Harrison, W. B. Hay, J. McNeil, Mrs. Frank Meyer, Mrs. S. A. Meyer, Mrs. J. S. Murphy, Thomas Pinler, J. Roberts, J. M. Sheffield, H. W. Stevenson, S. H. Stevenson, M. T. Brown, Mrs. A. Brown.

BLANTON. H. J. Charles, postmaster. This place is a country post office, located 16 miles from Brooksville, the county seat. Has a school and Methodist church, a shingle mill and store. Mails received Monday and Thursday. Oranges constitute the principal shipments. The place was first settled in 1884. Owensborough is the shipping station, three miles distant. Tampa is the nearest bank, express and telegraph point. Lands sell for $10 to $30 per acre; saw and grist mill is needed. Blanton school, R. M. Ray, teacher. H. J. Charles, gen. mdse. and postmaster. J. W. Charles, gen. mdse. Evans Bros., shingle mill. A. F. Newkirk, physician. Farmers and growers: J. G. Blanton, James Miller, J. M. O’Berry, J. R. O’Berry, H. J. Charles, F. E. Blocker, S. O. James.

CARMEL. A country settlement and post office, recently established. It has no business interest whatever.

CHIPCO. Population, 13. C. C. Gant, postmaster. Situated five miles southwest of Owensborough, the shipping station and nearest railroad, express and telegraph offices. Oranges are the principal shipment. Tampa is the nearest bank. Has a school and one store. Stage line to Brooksville and Dade City twice a week. Mails Tuesday and Friday. Lands sell at $5 to $40 per acre. This place is 300 miles southeast of Tallahassee, the State capital. C. C. Gant, gen. mdse. and postmaster. Oakland school, Miss Mattie Roberts, teacher. Farmers and growers: A. Welton, J. E. Burnsides, N. D. Eiland, F. L. Faulk, J. W. Gant, T. H. Hancock, J. W. Hill, Wm. Hutto, W. E. Noble, John O’Berry, W. L. Osburn, Savin & Walker.

DADE CITY. Population, 100. M. G. Rowe, postmaster, Mails daily except Sunday. This village is situated on the line of the South Florida Railroad, 23 miles southeast of Brooksville, the county seat. It has nine stores, two hotels, two saw mills, Baptist church, a school, and express and telegraph offices. Has stage communication with Brooksville twice a week. Tampa is the nearest banking point, and is 38 miles southwest of this place. Oranges are the principal shipment. This village was established in 1884, and the present post-office was formerly called Hatton, but of recent date changed its name to that of Dade City. It is situated 300 miles from Tallahassee. The price of land ranges from $10 to $50 per acre. Rev. R. E. Bell, pastor Baptist church. Coleman, Ferguson & Co., grocers. J. C. Calhoun, saloon. Davis House. W. C. Gunn, gen. mdse. Hon. E. A. Hall, real estate agt. and mayor. H. H. Henley, steamer and station agt. T. J. Howard, druggist. Kentucky House. W. R. Lawrence, grocer. Robt. McCranchin, telegrapher. F. P. McElroy, druggist. Newman & Co., dry goods and millinery. J. F. Roberts, station agt. J. M. G. Rowe, postmaster and gen. mdse. J. N. Sanders, saw mill. Miss T. L. Shofner, millinery. W. J. Thebaul, groceries. D. H. Thrasher, justice of the peace. J. F. White, teacher. C. Wolist, saw mill. Farmers and growers: L. Parrish, J. W. Randle, C. R. Frisan, Dr. Gray, A. F. Hill, J. E. Lee, M. G. Rowe, F. C. Robbins, J. A. Sumner, K. J. Sumner, J. T. Tate, J. F. Bard, B. C. Campbell, G. Chandler, W. D. Eubank, A. F. Hill, B. C. Gary, M. L. Gilbert, R. B. Jones, J. S. Lee, J. C. Overstreet, A. C. Sumner, J. C. Sumner, J. J. Thrasher, J. F. Barnes, W. M. Cosan, Dr. Cochrane, W. T. Finley, Mrs. A. Jameson, Mrs. H. Jordan, Victor Maynard, J. C. Overstreet, P. Wilson, G. W. Knaur, Mrs. W. R. Mills, L. Parrish, John T. Roberts, W. C. Sumner, Peter Wilson, R. M. Wilson, G. W. Young, J. C. Reynolds, J. R. Sumner, B. C. Campbell, Charles Croft, J. K. Davis, J. C. Overstreet, S. Soar, Thos. Thompson, J. H. Vinning.

EARNESTVILLE. Population, 72. E. E. Earnest, postmaster. This place is situated 30 miles southeast of Brooksville, the county seat, five miles from Richland, the shipping station and nearest railroad. Plant City is the nearest express station and telegraph; Tampa the nearest banking point. Oranges and beef cattle are the principal shipments. Mails received Tuesday and Friday. Has a school, Baptist and Methodist churches, steam saw mill, one general store and a wagon shop. The price of land is $5 to $100 per acre. Rev. J. F. Barnes, minister. Rev. Cading, pastor Baptist church. J. S. Collins, builder. E. E. Earnest, postmaster and gen. mdse. Miss Emmit Forbes, teacher. A. G. Middlebrook, botanic physician. B. L. Ray, physician. J. S. Thrasher, lawyer. Chas. Wells, builder. Rev. Chas. Wells, pastor M. E. church. J. W. Wells, saw mill. W. W. Williamson, wagonmaker. Farmers and growers: G. Lightfoot, J. W. Randall, T. B. Bayett, S. J. Enbank, J. D. Gaskin, Lewis Gaskins, Elias Geiger, J. C. Geiger, Henry Ryals, J. P. Smith, J. J. Thrasher, Benj. Basden, Col. Clarkson, S. J. Enbank, J. D. Gasgins, Elias Geiger, Will Guey, G. Lightfoot, A. C. Middlebrook, G. Reynolds, Allen Smith, J. A. Smith, J. P. Smith, T. Bayett, E. E. Earnest, W. O. Enbank, Chas. Lankey, Thomas Lyons, J. W. Randel, Frank Smith, J. C. Smith, C. Cater, B. L. Ray, S. J. Eubanks, J. P. Smith.

ELLERSLIE. Population, 27. Oscar Meacham, postmaster. This place was first settled in 1883. It is situated on the line of the South Florida Railroad, 25 miles southeast of Brooksville, the county seat, and 2 1/2 miles north of Richland, the shipping station. Has a school, church, saw mill and store. Oranges are the principal shipment. Tampa is the nearest banking point. Mails on horseback from Brooksville Tuesday and Friday. Plant City is the nearest present express office. Unimproved land sells at $5 to $50 per acre; improved at $20 to $100. Anderson & Co., grocers. Mrs. L. D. Austin, teacher. M. T. O’Neal & Co., saw mill. Farmers and growers: J. R. Sumner, Robert Sumner.

FORT DADE. Population, 1200. J. C. Carter, acting postmaster. This village was first settled in 1840. It is situated in the southeastern portion of the county, 20 miles southeast of Brooksville, the county seat, and 2 1/2 miles northwest of Dade City, the shipping station and nearest railroad. Mails semiweekly, Tuesday and Friday. Stage line to Brooksville. Tampa, 38 miles south, is the nearest banking point. This place is 250 miles southeast of Tallahassee. It is a domestic as well as an international money-order post office. Has several stores, express and telegraph offices; Methodist church, two saw mills, and a weekly newspaper, The Messenger. Oranges are the principal shipment. The semi-tropical fruits do well in this section, and many of the tropical varieties are extensively grown. Most of the orange growers given in the following list also grow vegetables for shipment. Land sells at $25 to $50 per acre. F. W. Alexander, physician and publisher Messenger. Anderson & Meacham, gen. mdse. Rev. R. E. Bell, Methodist minister. G. D. Brockman, carpenter. B. C. Campbell, saw mill. N. A. Carter, gen. mdse. J. C. Carter, acting postmaster. W. W. Cochran, physician. Dial & Rowe, gen. mdse. E. F. Dunna, lawyer. E. E. Earnest, gen. mdse. Levi Eiland, blacksmith. Fries Bros., gen. mdse. Marshall & Sumner, gen. mdse. Messenger, W. F. Alexander, pub. W. H. Moseley & Co., gen. mdse. M. A. Murphy, teacher. B. L. Ray, physician. John Raymond, surveyor. Shafner & Son, gen. mdse. Rev. J. J. Spring, Baptist minister. Robert Sumner, wheelwright. A. C. Sumner, gen. mdse. D. H. Thrasher, lawyer. J. G. Wallace, lawyer. Orange growers: J. M. Blanton, L. Eiland, M. D. Hargrove, H. L. Jones, W. L. Mabley, W. H. Morgan, A. H. Rovesies, S. Soar, J. N. Sumner, J. A. Eiland, J. L. Fortner, J. D. Howell, W. A. Jones, J. M. Mooney, J. R. O’Berry, B. L. Ray, A. C. Sumner, J. S. Woodson.

GULF KEY. Population 50. Postmaster: J. H. Pinkerton. Settled in 1873. Has a school, one store, and a machine shop. Miss Dora Agincourt is a teacher; A. Corpitt is a painter; J. G. Guthrie is a physician; F. F. or F. T. Kuhns is a machinist; M. G. Lewis is a carpenter, A. B. Paxton is a photographer; R. G. Pine is a photographer. Others named are James Arnold, A. Cupitt, A. T. Howell, P. L. Pinkerton, C. Stevenson, S. C. Carleton, and M. D. Fallman or Fillman.

HUDSON. Population 16. Postmaster: J. W. Hudson. Settled in 1883. Has Methodist and Baptist churches. H. C. Bush is justice of the peace; Frank Hudson is a carpenter; and J. B. Hudson is general merchandise. Farmers and growers are A. J. Bevis [Rewis?], A. M. Bellamy, A. W. Blanks, W. W. Chaney, J. H. Dicks, M. D. Filman, W. G. Frierson, J. T. Hay, J. T. Hudson, I. W. Hudson, H. H. Howse, M. H. Hurst, W. H. Jones, W. M. Lang, G. T. Lawler, L. E. Moseley, W. S. Quartermous, C. W. Weaver, A. J. Rewis.

LENARD. Population, 100. W. S. Kuster, postmaster. Situated on the line of the South Florida Railroad, 14 miles southeast of Brooksville, the county seat. Pemberton is the nearest express and telegraph station; Owensboro, 1 3/4 miles east of this place, is the shipping station. Mails Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Stage communication with Brooksville, Twin Lakes, Chipco, San Antonio and Dade City. Has a Baptist church, public school and blacksmith shop. Cotton and oranges are the principal shipments. Lands sell at $10 to $100 per acre. Y. E. Erwin, teacher [probably should be J. E. Erwin]. S. Isley, blacksmith. Farmers and growers: C. F. Kuster, D. W. Leneard, S. Sea, C. Bramblet, N. Holman, W. S. Kuster, Long & McCoucher, Long & Nelson, Long & Mabery, Mabery, Long & Co., Nelson & Ellis, E. J. Ewing, Mrs. S. W. Kuster, L. C. Lea, C. T. Lewis, W. C. McRae, Mrs. S. Nelson, J. Roller, Long & McCutcheon.

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.

MACON. Population, 130. H. K. Bankston, postmaster. First settled in 1885. Is situated on the Withlacoochee river, and on the line of the South Florida Railroad, at the crossing of the Florida Railway and Navigation Company’s railroad, 14 miles southeast of Brooksville, the county seat. Withlacoochee is the nearest express and telegraph station; Bartow, the nearest banking point. The principal shipments are oranges and vegetables. There are six stores, two steam saw mills, one free school, and a Baptist church and hotel. Mails daily except Sunday. Land sells at $5 to $50 per acre. A good hotel would probably pay here. H. K. Bankston & Son, gen. mdse. Rev. R. E. Bell, pastor Baptist church. R. V. Cox, prop., Cox House. M. Daniel & Son, gen. mdse. Henley & Garner, druggists. Hutton & Noble, gen. mdse. Wily P. Long, hay and grain. McLeod & Co., saw mill. Macon free school, A. I. Wyatt, teacher. George E. Mills & Co., saw mill. H. C. Spins, druggist. W. A. Vickers & Co., livery and sale stable. George E. Walker, gen. mdse. Farmers and growers: Thomas L. Blitch, H. Bradham, Samuel M. Bryant, F. Croft, James Croft, David Crum, W. C. Crum, W. L. Daniel, T. A. Durance, George E. Mills, J. A. Morgan, J. W. O’Berry, H. H. Flowers, M. W. Page, George W. Pinkston, Thomas Seiley or Seilly, S. Weeks, N. A. Williams, W. T. Daniel, Mrs. T. A. Durance, J. A. Grady, H. C. Spinks, Stephen Weeks, A. M. White, N. A. Williams, T. I. Wilson, Elijah McLeod, H. W. Wooldridge.

PORT RICHEY. Population 25. A. M. Richey, postmaster. First settled in 1883. Situated on Pithlachascotee river, 30 miles southwest of Brooksville, the county seat and nearest express station. Tampa is the nearest banking point. Is connected with Cedar Key by sailboat, which carries quantities of fine fish from this section. Goods by rail for this place should be shipped via Brooksville. Oranges, vegetables and fish are the principal shipments. Mails Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Land sells at $1.25 to $100 per acre. A saw mill is said to be much needed here. J. W. Clark, notary public; J. W. Cooper, boarding; A. M. Richey, postmaster, gen. mdse., fishery and shipmaster. Farmers and planters: H. W. Howse, A. M. Richey, J. W. Clark, M. N. Hill, H. W. Howse, W. E. Whiddon, Mrs. Wooley.

ST. THOMAS. Population, 200. Thomas Lucas, postmaster. First settled in 1850. Sometimes called Darby Settlement. Situated on Bee- Tree branch, 14 miles south of express office, seven miles west of Dade City, the shipping point. Tampa is the nearest banking point. Has two general stores, two steam saw mills, and a flouring mill run by water power, a school and Methodist church. Oranges are the principal shipment. Mails Tuesday and Friday. Land sells at $5 to $100 per acre. A wheelwright and a cabinet maker are said to be needed here. C. R. Alexander, physician. Rev. R. T Bradley, pastor M. E. church. Thomas Hanrahan, carpenter. J. D. Ihinsen, notary public. Thomas Lucas, postmaster and gen. mdse. A. O. Pearce, surveyor. Pearce & Ihmsen, real estate agts. J. M. Randle, teacher. Allen Vaughn, gen. mdse. Orange growers: John Bradley, John W. Darby, J. W. Douglas, J. A. Fagan, W. H. Hager, G. T. Hancock, R. H. Parker.

SAN ANTONIO. Population, 250. R. A. Brown, postmaster. First settled in 1883. Situated 20 miles southeast of Brooksville, the county seat and nearest express station, and six miles west of Dade City, the shipping point. Tampa, 35 miles south, is the nearest bank. Has four stores, steam saw and planing mill, one hotel, public school, and a Catholic church. Oranges and vegetables are the principal shipments. Stage communication with Brooksville and Dade City semi- weekly. Mails Tuesday and Friday. Land sells at $2.50 to $100 per acre. This is an incorporated village, and has a money-order post office. R. A. Brown, postmaster and gen. mdse. P. Carroll, gen. mdse. J. S. Flanagan, justice of the peace. J. A. Freese & Bro., gen. mdse. M. B. Meriwether, druggist. Charles A. Preston, teacher high school. Sultanfuss House. Sultanfuss Saw and Planing Mills. Farmers and growers: Joe Gross, J. G. Howell, J. W. Jackson, Geo. McKendree, Thomas O’Neill, David Osburn, J. Osburn, D. Sellers, J. S. Strickland, E. A. Tucker, P. A. Tucker, R. A. Brown, J. T. Carrigan, A. J. Dallas, E. F. Dunne, John S. Flanigan, Gailmord Bros., J. W. Higgins, J. G. Howell, G. M. Jordan, McCabe Bros., M. B. Meriwether, John P. Mullan, William Sultanfuss, M. B. Weser, M. B. Wiches, Jos. Hinderlang, George Stoley.

TUCKERTOWN. Population, 75. J. D. Redding, postmaster. Was first settled in 1877. Formerly called Richland. Situated three-quarters of a mile east of Richland station, the shipping point. Lakeland is the nearest express station, Tampa, 35 miles southwest, being the nearest banking point. Has two stores, a hotel, steam saw mill and a public school. Oranges are the principal shipments. Mails daily except Sunday. Land sells at $5 to $100 per acre. J. M. Abbott, notary public. D. T. Clement, tel. oper. Coachman & Slone, saw mill. A. T. Evans, physician. M. R. Gill, druggist and physician. J. M. Henderson, carpenter. J. T. Morgan, local agt., S. F. R. R., So. Exp. Co., and tel. oper. Henry Rapson, carpenter. J. D. Redding and W. H. Snelson, prop. Richland House. L. C. Thrasher, carpenter. J. Tucker, gen. mdse. T. F. Williams, notary public. Farmers, planters, and growers: G. W. Bearden, J. M. Carr, A. E. Geiger, J. W. Harrell, L. Kersey, J. D. Redding, Mrs. R. Rodgers, S. S. Rodgers, W. R. Lilburn, T. A. Rodgers, H. D. Ryalls, A. H. Smith, Harriet Smith, J. A. Smith, J. C. Smith, A. D. Tucker, A. W. Tucker, J. W. Tucker, T. M. Tucker, N. C. Ward, E. G. Wilder, M. P. Arnold, W. D. Bearden, J. A. Brown, M. T. Frizell, J. H. Pedrick, H. W. Snelson, W. H. Snelson. D. C. Ryals, W. H. Snelson, E. G. Wilder, D. T. Clement.

[The following settlement was located in present-day Hernando County.]

TWIN LAKES. Population, 75. W. F. Jackson, postmaster. Was first settled in 1860. Situated ten miles southeast of Brooksville, the county seat and nearest express and telegraph station, and 7 1/2 miles west of Ownesboro, the shipping point. Tampa is the nearest bank. Has two stores, steam saw mill, a school, Methodist and Baptist churches. Oranges, vegetables, sugar and syrup are the principal shipments. Has stage communication with Brooksville, Chipco, San Antonio and Dade City semi-weekly. Mails Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Land sells at $5 to $30 per acre. G. W. Batten, constable, S. W. Harville, constable. Benjamin Hill, teacher. W. F. Jackson, postmaster, gen. mdse. J. Jones, carpenter. M. Jones, gen. mdse. Mizell Joshua, justice of the peace. N. M. Moody, justice of the peace. W. R. Nicks, saw mill. W. H. Richardson, station agt. and tel. oper. Rev. B. C. Sharp, pastor Methodist church. Farmers and growers: J. Allen, N. D. Eiland, H. W. Hancock, E. M. Harville, G. J. Hutto, W. H. Hutto, S. C. Johnson, M. Jones, J. Mizell, Osias Mizell, H. R. Nicks, W. R. Nicks, H. J. O’Berry, J. W. O’Berry, John O’Neil, B. C. Sharp, John St. Clair.

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