In 1909, a Civil War captain named Howard B. Jeffries came from Pennsylvania to scout land for a retirement colony of fellow veterans. He purchased 35,000 acres of land in 1910, and the renamed Zephyrhills was “a handsome little city of 1,500 people” within two years and soon the second largest town in Pasco County. Founders Day is still celebrated every March with a parade and festival.
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These days, Zephyrhills is known mostly for what is deep beneath the ground and far into the sky. From seven of the deepest wells in the Florida limestone substrate, pure spring water is bottled and sold under the brand “Zephyrhills” across the world. Skydive City is one of the most popular drop destinations in America, where thrill seekers have been jumping out of airplanes at 13,500 feet since the 1960s. First-timers can tandem jump harnessed to a professional after about 20 minutes of training.
Close enough to Tampa to take advantage of suburban amenities, Zephyrhills nonetheless retains its small-town sensibilities. The downtown historic district shows off 126 qualifying buildings, starting with Colonel Jeffries twin-gabled house on 5th Avenue (the town’s main street) that was constructed in 1911. One of the town’s first structures, the wood-frame Grand Army of the Republic Hall on 8th Street, still stands as well. The city’s two museums, both on South Avenue, are directly related to its heritage: the Depot Museum resides in a low-roofed Atlantic Coast Line passenger station built in 1927. The Barracks Museum remembers the World War II days when hundreds of fighter pilots trained at the Zephyrhills Army Airfield.
Parks are abundant in the city following the dictates of Captain Jeffries. Visitors are seldom far from a generous oasis of shady oak trees and swaying palms. Clock Plaza is fashioned after the town squares of the American 19th century and the gazebo bandstand gets a regular workout during live entertainment and regularly scheduled social activities.
