ELFERS, FLORIDA

---

Elfers, Florida is a census-designated place in Pasco County, Florida.  It is located along US19 between New Port Richey and Tarpon Springs.  Its population is about 14,000.

The district boundary marked by a dotted red and white line is shown in the aerial photo below

Elfers was a prominent place in the heyday of the citrus industry in this part of the state. 

I have a collection of almost 1,500 digital Florida citrus crate labels and many of the packing companies and groves were located in Elfers.

Way back before American recorded history the area around Elfers was a Native American hunting ground.

---

Before it ever carried the name folks recognize today, this little Pasco County community was known simply as the Baillie settlement. That changed on December 14, 1909, when a post office was established and a new name was chosen.

Frieda Marie Bolling Eiland, the wife of Elfers’ first postmaster, selected the name to honor a beloved uncle, and from that personal moment, the town of Elfers took on its identity.

Like so many small Florida towns, the railroad helped shape its early future. By 1913, trains were rolling into Elfers, carrying crates of locally grown citrus to distant markets and tying the community into Florida’s booming agricultural economy.

Just two years later, in 1914, the Elfers School opened its doors. Built of red brick, it stood as the first brick school in all of western Pasco County, a point of pride for local families.

A newer school building replaced it in 1966, but the original structure never lost its importance to the community.

One of the largest operations in Elfers during its early days was Sans Souci, a 250 acre grove owned by the Knight family.  The family patriarch was Peter O. Knight, a prominent Tampa businessman and lawyer.

The grove was located about one quarter mile south of County Road 54 and Grand Boulevard, also known as County Road 595. It was a prosperous operation until 1962 when a freeze severely damaged citrus groves in the area.

Sans Souci was replanted and by the late 1960s it was doing well again but it began to suffer from the development of new subdivisions circling the area.

Like so many other grove owners in Florida, the Knights sold their grove because the land was becoming more valuable as real estate than productive acreage.

For a brief time, Elfers even carried the formal status of an incorporated town, from 1925 until 1933, before returning to its quieter, unincorporated roots—still shaped by its railroad days, citrus heritage, and strong sense of community.

The fate of Elfers is what bothers me about what's happening all over Florida.  It was a place with a unique identity that has been all but swallowed up by residential and commercial development.

The beginning of major development in the area began in the 1960s and continues through today.  Very few people in the Elfers CDP have a Elfers address.

They have addresses in New Port Richey, Holiday, or other communities that surround it. 

Most of the homes are typical concrete block homes that date back to the styles of the 1950s through 1980s. They are located in subdivisions with typical grid street layouts to get the maximum number of homes possible in an acre of land.

Still, in spite of all of the sprawling development that surrounds it, Elfers continues to hang on to its identity.

There are still well built homes in use that date back to the early days of Elfers.  The home above was built in 1925 and has recently been listed for sale on Realtors.com for $299,000.

If you get off the main drags and drive through the residential neighborhoods you will see parts of the Elfers of old.

For example, that historic red brick schoolhouse lives on in a new role as the Elfers CARES Center. After a major restoration, the building celebrated its grand re-opening in 2013.

Inside, visitors now find a welcoming café, a spacious auditorium, and the Avery Branch of the New Port Richey Public Library—a fine example of how Elfers has preserved its past while serving present-day needs.

Robert K. Rees Memorial Park
This peaceful waterfront park on the Gulf is perfect for watching sunsets, spotting dolphins, and enjoying a quiet walk along the shore. It’s one of those places that still feels like Old Florida on a calm afternoon.

Baker House

This restored Florida Cracker pioneer house is located in Elfers Centennial Park.  It was built in the 1880s and has been restored to its original condition as an example of early life in the area.

SunWest Park & Beach
Once a limestone quarry, this place is now a surprising freshwater beach with clear blue water for swimming, paddleboarding, and sunbathing. It feels like a tropical getaway just minutes from town.

Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Preserve
Miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails wind through pine flatwoods, wetlands, and open prairie. It’s a favorite spot for seeing deer, gopher tortoises, and Florida’s wide-open skies.

Elfers CARES Center (Historic Elfers School)
The old brick schoolhouse now serves as a community center with a café, auditorium, and library branch. It’s a wonderful example of how local history keeps finding new life.

Anclote Key Preserve State Park
Accessible by boat, this barrier island offers unspoiled beaches, driftwood treasure hunts, and incredible shelling. There are no roads, no crowds—just sea breeze and quiet horizons.

Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks
Just south of Elfers, this lively Tarpon Springs waterfront district is known for Greek food, sponge boats, bakeries, and shops. It’s one of the most colorful cultural corners of Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park
This wild coastal park is filled with mangrove tunnels, salt marshes, and hidden kayak trails. It’s a favorite place for birdwatching and paddling at sunrise.

James E. Grey Preserve
This lesser-known preserve offers shaded walking trails and native Florida scenery without the crowds. It’s a quiet spot for photography, birding, and peaceful afternoon walks.

Historic Downtown New Port Richey
A short drive away, the downtown area features riverfront parks, antique shops, restaurants, and a charming small-town feel. Evening strolls along the Pithlachascotee River are especially relaxing.  The historic Hacienda Hotel is a great place to stay.

Fishing on the Gulf or Anclote River
Whether from shore, pier, or boat, fishing is a way of life around Elfers. Redfish, snook, trout, and tarpon all pass through these waters depending on the season.

---

---

---