There are murals on several of the New Port Richey downtown buildings which are fun to explore. Attractive custom wall murals brighten buildings, add historical interest, and create the perfect opportunity for selfies too. My favorite is the one at the corner of Main and Bank Street, entitled, “A 1920’s Day on the Pithlachascotee River,” or “Faces” by Keith Goodson. It uses local people’s faces on the 1920’s characters. That was my first post on a local mural. That mural greets me everytime I drive into downtown New Port Richey on Main Street and cross over the bridge.
Read MoreTag: New Port Richey
Robert K. Rees Memorial Park
Robert K. Rees Memorial Park, 3503 Green Key Rd
New Port Richey, FL 34652
Less than two miles west of the traffic that buzzes along U.S. 19, and behind the motels and strip malls that border it, is a piece of heaven where one can take a moment or spend a day away from a busy life. Green Key, known in times long past as Deer Key, was originally a mangrove island a short distance off the Gulf Shore west of New Port Richey. In the 1930’s a home was built on the island, and the owners submitted plans to subdivide the property for development. A causeway to the mainland was built, and a man-made beach was created to make the property more attractive to investors. When a storm washed away the beach, plans fell through.
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Celebrating The Restored Hacienda Hotel
The HACIENDA
5621 Main St, New Port Richey, FL 34652
On March 4, 1926, James E. Meighan, brother to Thomas Meighan, leading man of the silver screen throughout the 20s and 30s, donated land for the construction of a new Spanish Colonial Revival-style hotel befitting New Port Richey’s growing popularity with arts, society, and sports luminaries. 96 years ago on February 5, 1927, Ed Wynn acted as the master of ceremonies for the grand opening and ribbon cutting of The Hacienda Hotel in New Port Richey. The Hacienda and New Port Richey became known as “Hollywood East” due to the celebrities that enjoyed the town and hotel, including reported sightings of Thomas Meighan, Gloria Swanson, Lupe Velez, Charlie Chaplin, and Ann Harding, among other notables. The Hacienda was a popular gathering spot for sports and entertainment figures for many years.
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War Memorial,Sims Park, New Port Richey, FL
West Pasco County Veterans Walk (All Wars); Re-dedicated November 11, 1986
The War Memorial is also known as West Pasco County Veterans Walk. It is in Sims Park, a attractive park on the Cotee River. I shared a visit to Sims Park last week. Today I’ll share the monument on one side of the park.
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April in Sims Park, New Port Richey, Florida
Withlacoochee River: The name “Withlacoochee” is derived from one of Florida’s Native American tribes, the Creek. It means “Little Big Water”, which makes sense as both floods and droughts have caused the water levels to rise or drop many times over its history. Another meaning is “crooked river”, which accurately describes the twists and turns it makes on its way towards the Gulf of Mexico.
Close to my home is a wondeful small town, New Port Richey, Florida. I’ve shared photos taken in New Port Richey before. Sims Park has been featured in several posts. Last week I stopped by the park early one morning. It was a beautiful spring day with blue skies, mild temperatures, and low humidity. These days are gold because summer in Florida is really hot and humid.
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Circle Of Life Mural, New Port Richey, Florida
William Bissi & Associates, 6332 Grand Blvd
New Port Richey, FL 34652
Today I’m sharing another beautiful mural in New Port Richey, Florida. This artistic painting by Tamara Gerkin is called “Circle of Life.” It is a 1920s exterior mural on the side of William Bissi & Associates New Port Richey.
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Mural, Little Corona’s Cigar Lounge
Little Corona’s Cigar Lounge
6324 Grand Blvd, New Port Richey, FL 34652
Today I’m sharing another mural in New Port Richey, Florida. It is an alligator on the side wall of Little Corona’s Cigar Lounge. No, I haven’t gone inside. I’m not a smoker and try to avoid tobacco smoke. The lounge wasn’t even open at 10 AM when I took photos on the outside. I have not been able to find out the name of the artist who painted the mural but it is a fun painting. It is located on Grand Avenue one block north of Main Street. Below is the front entrance to the lounge.
