Did You Know... New Port Richey

Did you know the City of New Port Richey was originally founded by famous actors? George R. Sims bought the Port Richey Land Company in 1916. Sims spent summers on Long Island and made many influential friends in the entertainment industry. He sold property in what was to become New Port Richey to the popular silent-film actor Thomas Meighan. Meighan and his brother were interested in developing a movie studio in the area. Sims also sold area property to Gene Sarazan, Paul Whiting, Ed Wynn and others. Celebrities such as Irving Berlin, Babe Ruth, Lupe Valdez and Gloria Swanson also visited and invested in the growing community. Those "glamorous years" are marked by the Hacienda Hotel, the Meighan Theater and several palatial homes. Reprinted from Quality Cities January/February 2004 Back to City Trivia Home