In 1883, Aaron M. Richey settled near the Pithlachascotee River, in a spot that would later be known as Richey Point. He purchased a small piece of land on the riverfront so that he could dock his schooner, and named the spot that he purchased “Port Richey.” He was not really a sea captain, but because of the schooner, he was known as Captain. As time passed, he established a post office and named it the Port Richey Post Office, serving as the first postmaster for the area. He also opened and operated a small general store.

Word among other settlers began to spread to the northern states about the mild winters on the Gulf of Mexico in Florida. The beauty of the area, as well as the fishing and hunting that the vicinity offered, became a draw for more and more settlers.

When Port Richey was incorporated in 1925, the city seemed poised to become the new Hollywood. Several stars of the silent screen, as well as powerful attorneys and musicians, had discovered the lure of the area and wished for a new and exciting place that they could call home. Many purchased land in the area and contributed toward businesses in the town, but the city as a hub for the rich and famous never quite took off.

The residents of Port Richey have worked very hard to maintain the small-town feel of the city. In spite of their effort to keep the population small and intimate, the city continues to grow on its own. The census in 1935 placed the population of Port Richey at 249 people. The numbers still aren’t huge, especially when compared to the neighboring metropolis of Tampa, but the city of Port Richey is now home to well over 3,000 people.