44-461: Starkey Wilderness Preserve is a public recreation and nature conservation area located in Pasco County, Florida . The park includes a system of hiking, bicycling, and equestrian trails, cabins and primitive camping sites, and picnic areas. It is named after Jay B. Starkey, a cattle rancher who bought the property in 1937 and later donated hundreds of acres. The Preserve consists of three tracts:
88-679: A humid subtropical climate ( Cfa ) and average temperatures in Dade City range from 59.2 °F in January to 82.1 °F in July and August while in Port Richey they range from 59.0 °F in January to 82.2 °F in August. PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University As of the 2020 United States census , there were 561,891 people, 209,483 households, and 139,278 families residing in
132-402: A contract with Famous Players–Lasky . His first US film, in 1915, was The Fighting Hope . During the next two years, Meighan's career took off. In 1918, he made a propaganda film for World War I, titled Norma Talmadge and Thomas Meighan in a Liberty Loan Appeal . He then played opposite Mary Pickford in M'Liss . Meighan hit stardom in 1919. One of his better-known films of the period
176-461: A fellow Irishman named Dan O'Brien who happened to be with Meighan at the time. Meighan barely knew Valentino but put up a large chunk of the bail money, and with the help of June Mathis and George Melford , Valentino was freed. In the mid-1920s, Meighan became obsessed with Florida after talks with his realtor brother James E. Meighan. He bought property in Ocala, Florida in 1925. In 1927, he built
220-469: A home in New Port Richey, Florida, where he was to spend his winters. He intended to shoot his film We're All Gamblers there; however, filming was moved to Miami. The Meighans hoped to draw other celebrities to the area. On July 1, 1926, The Meighan Theatre opened with a screening of Meighan's movie The New Klondike . Meighan was not present but sent a congratulatory telegram. In 1930, sound
264-481: A household in the county was $ 32,969, and the median income for a family was $ 39,568. Males had a median income of $ 30,974 versus $ 23,802 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 18,439. About 7.60% of families and 10.70% of the population were below the poverty line , including 15.20% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over. Though the county seat is in Dade City, duplicate county government offices and court facilities are also located in
308-634: A local train (the last passenger train for the region north of St. Petersburg and west of Dade City) through those towns from Jacksonville and Gainesville , bound for St. Petersburg. Prior to the 1967 merger for the SCL that service had been the western branch of the ACL's Champion from New York City. Until 1968 the SCL ran its Sunland from Washington, DC and Portsmouth, VA to Tampa. The SAL Tarpon Springs branch line from Tarpon Junction 14 miles west of Tampa to Elfers and thence to Newport Richey to New Port Richey
352-469: A mobile integrated health program to help those after an overdose . The program can help patients with medical and dental needs, mental health and therapy, transportation to medical appointments, withdrawal management, counseling, and shelter/housing. The agency has two arson investigators and three fire investigators that determine the origin and cause of fires throughout unincorporated Pasco County. Pasco County Fire Rescue conducts all fire inspections within
396-897: A short film directed by Allan Dwan for the annual "Spring Gambol" for The Lambs . This film (sometimes known as Gloria Swanson Dialogue ), made in Lee DeForest 's sound-on-film Phonofilm process, was made as a joke for the live event, showing Swanson trying to crash the all-male club. His popularity continued through the Roaring Twenties , during which he starred in several pictures. In 1924, he played in The Alaskan with Estelle Taylor and Anna May Wong . In 1927, Meighan starred in The City Gone Wild with Louise Brooks . His final silents, both produced by Howard Hughes in 1928, were The Mating Call , which
440-561: Is a county located on the west central coast of the U.S. state of Florida . According to the 2020 census , the population was 561,691, making it the eleventh-most populous county in the state. Its county seat is Dade City , and its largest city is Zephyrhills . The county is named after Samuel Pasco . Pasco County is included in the Tampa Bay Area and is primarily a bedroom community for Tampa and St. Petersburg. It includes numerous parks and trails located along rivers,
484-486: Is directly west of Polk and Sumter counties, north of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, and south of Hernando County. Pasco County was created on June 2, 1887, from the southern third of Hernando County. The same legislation also created Citrus County from the northern third of Hernando County. The county was named after Samuel Pasco , who had just been elected to the United States Senate . Dade City
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#1732790082845528-683: Is located in Western Pasco County east of New Port Richey . The park includes the Starkey Trail , an approximately 6.7 mile paved multi-use trail that links up with the Suncoast Trail at its eastern terminus. There are also unimproved trails in the park. An 8-mile mountain bike trail was approved and being developed as of 2013. 28°15′22″N 82°35′24″W / 28.256°N 82.59°W / 28.256; -82.59 Pasco County, Florida Pasco County
572-781: Is not a part of the Pasco County Library Cooperative. Since the library is independent, it issues its own library cards. Cards are free for all Pasco County residents and for those who pay property taxes to the city of New Port Richey. Members of libraries which have reciprocal borrowing agreements with the NPR library are also issued free cards. Recreational areas include Hudson Beach, The New Port Richey Recreation & Aquatic Center, Odessa Community Park , Moon Lake Park , Land o' Lakes Heritage Park , Land o' Lakes Recreation Complex , Robert K Rees Memorial Park, Veterans Memorial Park, J. Ben Harrill Recreation Complex,
616-680: Is the law enforcement agency responsible for Pasco County and is the county's largest law enforcement agency. Pasco County Fire Rescue ( PCFR ) provides fire protection and emergency medical services throughout the county. Pasco County Fire Rescue has 30 stations placed around the county. Their headquarters, located in Land o' Lakes holds the administration, staff chief, public information, community risk reduction, and ambulance billing departments. The ambulance billing department oversees all ambulance billing including Citrus County , and Hernando County fire rescue. Pasco County Fire Rescue also has
660-540: Is the responsible law enforcement agency within the incorporated City of New Port Richey . Port Richey: The Port Richey Fire Department provides fire protection services within the City of Port Richey . The Department has 1 Fire station located within the City. Pasco County Fire Rescue covers all emergency medical services for the Port Richey Fire Department. Port Richey Police Department
704-431: Is the responsible law enforcement agency within the incorporated City of Port Richey . Dade City: Dade City Police Department is the responsible law enforcement agency covering incorporated Dade City . Pasco County Fire Rescue covers all fire protection and emergency medical services for the City of Dade City Zephyrhills: Zephyrhills Police Department is the responsible law enforcement agency within
748-728: The Southland through Trilby and Tarpon Springs , en route to St. Petersburg. The train was unusual for providing passenger service direct from Chicago (via the Pennsylvania ), Cincinnati and Atlanta on a direct route through the western part of the Florida peninsula, bypassing Jacksonville . The Seaboard Coast Line (a merged line from the Atlantic Coast Line and the Seaboard Coast Line) until 1971 ran
792-589: The Gulf of Mexico , lakes, and highway/railroad right-of-ways. Several nudist resorts are located in Pasco. It has become known as the "naturist capital of the United States," beginning with a development in 1941. West Pasco includes retirement areas, commercial fishing, and suburbs of Tampa. The Suncoast Parkway as well as U.S. 19, U.S. 41, U.S. 98, U.S. 301, and Interstate 75 all pass through Pasco. The county
836-565: The Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park , managed by Pasco County, and Serenova Tract and the Anclote River Ranch Tract , managed by Southwest Florida Water Management District . The area includes sections of pine flatwoods, cypress domes, freshwater marshes, stream and lake swamps, sandhill and scrub over a combined 8,500-acre (34 km) "wetland ecosystem spread throughout approximately 18,000 acres of conservation lands". The park
880-991: The Jay Starkey Preserve , Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park , a section of the Suncoast Trail , a section of the Withlacoochee State Trail , Conner Preserve , Cypress Creek Preserve , Withlacoochee River Park , and Crews Lake Wilderness Park . Kayaking, canoeing, sailing, power boating, jet skiing, and fishing are popular along the coast, and large tracts are preserved from development. Environmental lands acquired for preservation include Aripeka Sandhills Preserve , Boy Scout Preserve , Cypress Creek Preserve, Pasco County , Jumping Gully Preserve , Pasco Palms Preserve , Tierra Del Sol Preserve and Upper Pithlachascotee River Preserve . 28°18′N 82°26′W / 28.30°N 82.44°W / 28.30; -82.44 Thomas Meighan Thomas Meighan (April 9, 1879 – July 8, 1936)
924-453: The incorporated City of Zephyrhills . In September 2020, Pasco County Fire Rescue took over all fire rescue service responsibilities for the City of Zephyrhills . Public schools in the county are operated by Pasco County Schools . The county has seen explosive growth in student enrollment, increasing from 46,458 students in the 1999-2000 year to 65,126 in the 2007-2008 year, an increase of 18,668 or 40.2%. The projected enrollment for
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#1732790082845968-554: The 1960s. The growth began along the Gulf coast but is now occurring most rapidly in areas north of Tampa. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 868 square miles (2,250 km ), of which 747 sq mi (1,930 km ) is land and 122 sq mi (320 km ) (14.0%) is water. A portion of Eastern Pasco County contains rolling topography with elevations from 100 to 160 ft (30 to 49 m), along with San Antonio and St. Leo. The county has
1012-464: The 2007-2008 was 64,674, so the actual enrollment was 452 students over the projection. Yearly, the school district has grown 2,489 or 5.4%, which has led to the building of one new school a year. The enrollment in 2020 is up to 81,157 students with a total of 10,151 staff. The Pasco County Library Cooperative (PCLC) is the public library system that serves residents of Pasco County. It consists of seven branch libraries and one cooperative partner,
1056-731: The Brooksville Subdivision which runs close to US 41 and the Vitis Subdivision, which runs southeast into Lakeland . Notable abandoned railroad lines include a former branch of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad northwest of Trilacoochee (formerly Owensboro Junction) that became part of the Withlacoochee State Trail , a segment of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad branch stretching from Zephyrhills to Trilacoochee,
1100-533: The New Port Richey area on the west side of the county. Politically, the county has been a swing area over the past quarter century. However, three of the last four elections have trended strongly Republican in Presidential elections, with 2008 being the exception. Although the GOP had the most votes in 2008 at the time, it was by a much smaller margin than the previous 2004 election and in subsequent elections, when
1144-655: The Zephyrhills Public Library. The Pasco County Libraries operated on a budget of $ 6,205,291 for fiscal year 2016–2017. Pasco Libraries circulated 2,623,024 items during that period. The head of library services reports to the Assistant County Administrator for Public Services. The New Port Richey Public Library is located in the New Port Richey area of Pasco County. It is the only public library in Pasco County that
1188-817: The age of 15, his father sent him to work shoveling coal, which quickly changed his mind. He attended Mount St. Mary's College to study pharmacology. After three years of study, Meighan decided he wished to pursue acting. After dropping out of college in 1896, Meighan became a juvenile player in the Pittsburgh Stock Company headed by Henrietta Crosman . He was paid $ 35 per week. Meighan soon found success. He first appeared on Broadway in 1900, and four years later appeared in The Two Orphans . His breakthrough role came in 1908 when he appeared with William Collier Sr. in The Dictator ; this play
1232-521: The county. As of the census of 2000 , there were 344,765 people, 147,566 households, and 99,016 families residing in the county. The population density was 463 inhabitants per square mile (179/km ). There were 173,717 housing units at an average density of 233 per square mile (90/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 93.70% White , 2.07% Black or African American , 0.35% Native American , 0.94% Asian , 0.03% Pacific Islander , 1.52% from other races , and 1.38% from two or more races. 5.69% of
1276-634: The former Tampa and Thonotosassa Railroad along the east side of US 301 that spanned from Sulphur Springs to Zephyrhills, part of the Orange Belt Railway which became the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad which ran from St. Petersburg and entered the county in what is today Trinity to Trilby (abandoned during the early to mid-1970s), and a branch of the Seaboard Air Line that ran through Holiday , Elfers and into New Port Richey . The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad until 1957 ran
1320-501: The only Hollywood stars who had never seen a divorce court". The couple had no children. Meighan was involved in some of the more scandalous moments of silent film history, albeit as a helping hand. He was the sole witness to Jack Pickford and Olive Thomas 's secretive wedding in New Jersey on October 25, 1916. In March 1923, Douglas Gerrard , in need of help bailing his friend Rudolph Valentino out of jail for bigamy, called
1364-444: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 147,566 households, out of which 23.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.60% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.90% were non-families. 27.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
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1408-479: The raw vote for the Republican candidate increased every time. Pasco County Public Transportation provides bus service throughout Pasco County. CSX operates three rail lines within the county. Dade City and Zephyrhills are served with a line from Plant City. Amtrak formerly provided passenger rail service to Dade City on that line, but the stop was terminated in late 2004. The other two lines include
1452-409: The screen with Young Sinners . He made four additional sound movies until illness sidelined him from acting. His last film was Peck's Bad Boy in 1934. Meighan commanded a salary of $ 5,000 per week for much of his career. At one point, it reached $ 10,000 per week. Meighan met Frances Ring (July 4, 1882 – January 15, 1951) when she was a stage actress on Broadway and he was appearing there. She
1496-636: The unincorporated portions of the county. The Pasco County Jail is managed by the Pasco County Corrections Department. New Port Richey: The New Port Richey Fire Department provides fire protection services within the City of New Port Richey . The Department has 2 Fire stations located within the City. Pasco County Fire Rescue covers all emergency medical services for the New Port Richey Fire Department. New Port Richey Police Department
1540-402: Was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.77. In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.20% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 24.10% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 26.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 92.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.10 males. The median income for
1584-514: Was a younger sister of popular singer Blanche Ring and of vaudeville actress Julie Ring. Actor and director A. Edward Sutherland was a nephew of both Blanche Ring and Meighan. Sutherland's mother Julie was a sister of Blanche and Frances Ring. Meighan and Ring became inseparable and soon married. They remained married until his death in 1936. Their marriage was considered happy and strong; one writer remarked "Thomas Meighan and Rin Tin Tin were
1628-750: Was added to the theatre. Meighan appeared this time, pushing the button to start the sound. The theatre closed in 1934, a victim of the Depression . It reopened in 1938 under the name The New Port Richey Theatre. The theatre is still open as a community playhouse, under the name Richey Suncoast Theatre . In 1934, Meighan was diagnosed with cancer. The following year, he underwent surgery at Doctors Hospital in Manhattan. He succumbed to cancer at 9:10pm on July 8, 1936, passing away at his home in Great Neck, New York. Many of his family were present. Meighan
1672-521: Was an American actor of silent films and early talkies . He played several leading-man roles opposite popular actresses of the day, including Mary Pickford and Gloria Swanson . At one point he commanded $ 10,000 per week. Meighan was born to John and Mary Meighan in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His father was the president of Pittsburgh Facing Mills, and his family was well-off. Meighan's parents encouraged him to go to college but he refused. At
1716-463: Was an important industry when the county was formed, although a decline followed a freeze in 1895. Several large sawmills operated in the county in the early part of the 20th century. During the Florida land boom of the 1920s, New Port Richey became the winter home of silent screen star Thomas Meighan and golfer Gene Sarazen ; Meighan attempted to bring other Hollywood figures to the city. The county has experienced significant population growth since
1760-555: Was critical of the Ku Klux Klan , and The Racket , which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture . Both were thought lost until rediscovered in private collections in 2006; they were restored by University of Nevada, Las Vegas and shown on Turner Classic Movies. Meighan's first sound feature film was The Argyle Case (1928). At this time, he was nearing 50; fearing his popularity might wane, he decided to go into real estate. It wasn't until 1931 that he returned to
1804-616: Was followed by a leading role in The College Widow , which had a successful run on Broadway in the 1907–1908 season. During this run, he met his wife Frances Ring. Despite his film career, Meighan remained devoted to the theatre during his life. In 1914, he entered motion pictures, at that time still in their infancy. His first film, shot in London, was titled Dandy Donovan, the Gentleman Cracksman . This led to
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1848-520: Was lost its passenger service and became listed as freight only between 1932 and 1938. The freight branch was truncated to Elfers in 1943. The tracks from Elfers and Chemical (an industrial area in the extreme southwest part of the county along the Anclote River west of Holiday) to Tarpon Springs were removed in the late 1980s, leaving the western half of the county without freight rail service. Pasco County: The Pasco County Sheriff's Office
1892-669: Was named the temporary county seat until a popular vote was held in 1889, at which time voters made Dade City the permanent county seat. As early as 1917, residents of the western part of the county proposed forming a separate county or merging with Pinellas County, as Dade City was not centrally located in the county. The issue was finally resolved in the late 1970s with the construction of identical government centers in both Dade City and New Port Richey. The earliest towns were Anclote, Blanton, Dade City , Earnestville, Fort Dade (not to be confused with Fort Dade on Egmont Key ), Macon ( Trilby ), Lacoochee , St. Leo , and San Antonio . Citrus
1936-402: Was that year's The Miracle Man , which featured Lon Chaney Sr. ; it is now believed to be lost except for brief clips. This was followed with Cecil B. DeMille 's Male and Female , which starred him with Gloria Swanson and Lila Lee . Most of that film's cast returned for the 1920 film Why Change Your Wife? , which co-starred Bebe Daniels . In April 1925, Meighan and Swanson produced
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