Learn More About Dade City, Florida
Learn More About Dade City, Florida
Tucked amid scenic rolling hills and pasture lands, Dade City is a very family-friendly and serene community in Pasco County, Florida. It is an excellent “small town” city for people who enjoy living at a leisurely pace and desire such in the Tampa Bay Area. The city, which lies on an area of 3.4 square miles (3 percent made of water), serves as the seat of Pasco County. Its neighbors include San Antonio, St. Joseph, Ridge Manor, Blanton, and Trilby.
The railroad built in the area led to the creation of today’s Dade City. It caused relocation of businesses from an older community called Fort Dade to its proximity. The name of the town became official in December 1884 with the change of the Hatton post office to Dade City. It is not clear when the city was first incorporated – the year is given as either 1884 or 1885. It was made the seat of Pasco County when the latter was fashioned out from parts of Hernando County in 1887. It was reincorporated in 1889.
Renowned for its walk-able streets, Dade City is a great community for families and those who desire unhurried lifestyle. It has somehow managed to maintain its small town charm as the number of residents haven’t grown out of hand after more than a century and a quarter. The population was estimated at 6,955 in 2015, an increase of about 500 people above the count five years earlier. Dade City is definitely one of those places around the Tampa Bay Area that you can consider when looking to escape from the hustle and bustle of major urban areas.
You are very likely to be awed by the charming downtown. Why? It is one of the very few downtowns in the nation where you can see vehicles slow down for pedestrians to walk around peacefully. It is home to numerous historic buildings, antique shops and restaurants that Dade City is renowned for among travelers to this region. This is where you will see the Hugh Embry branch library, whose origin is traced back to 1904.
Historical attractions in the area include the Pioneer Florida, Pasco County Courthouse, and Edwinola. Opened on Labor Day, the 16-acre Pioneer Florida promotes the Central Florida heritage with exhibits giving an idea of what life was like for the pioneers. Among the exhibits and artifacts here are a 1913 locomotive, an old train depot and a pre-Civil War building.
A very popular event in Dade City is the annual Kumquat Festival, which has earned the city the nickname of “The Kumquat Capital of the World.” The festival, held every last Saturday in January in the downtown area, gives participants opportunity to the treated to edibles made with the orange-like fruit called kumquat.
With a superb small town ambiance and pedestrian-friendly downtown, Dade City is unquestionably a great place for families. It offers an excellent location to escape from the hustle and bustle of big urban areas in the Tampa Bay Area. The community is rich in history and offers residents access to wonderful outdoor fun year-round.
