Step into the “Hollywood of the East”: New Book Unlocks the Hidden History of Downtown New Port Richey and Promotes Local Businesses

tides-richey-0625 — Taking in a street view and the Tides of Time walking art exhibit at the Richey Suncoast Theatre on Grand Boulevard in downtown New Port Richey. Photo | Michele Miller (June 5, 2025)

Media Release | September 2026

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — Local history comes alive with the release of A New Port Richey Historic Walking Tour, a definitive new guidebook by acclaimed local historian and author Gary Vitacco-Robles. Published by Arcadia Publishing/The History Press, this beautifully crafted 208-page book invites lifelong residents and Gulf Coast tourists alike to step into the past—one block at a time.

This guidebook serves as the official companion to the city’s Tides of Time public art installation, created by New Port Richey Main Street, Inc. in close partnership with the City of New Port Richey. The project was led directly by the organization’s Design Committee to commemorate the city’s 100th anniversary. The book offers an immersive, deep-dive look into the fascinating people and architecture that shaped the city’s unique identity along the Cotee River and incorporates the author-produced and narrated videos linked to the installation, accessed by a QR code beneath the permanent bronze statues created by sculptor Gillian Harper.

A New Port Richey Historic Walking Tour acts as a portal to a bygone era. Readers will discover the compelling stories of early pioneers, silent film stars, literary legends, and sports heroes who once strolled these very streets during the city’s heyday as the “Hollywood of the East,” while simultaneously discovering contemporary thriving businesses occupying landmark sites.

“This book is more than a collection of dates; it is a celebration of our community’s enduring soul,” says author Gary Vitacco-Robles, Vice President of the West Pasco Historical Society. “By bridging our rich past with our thriving present, we honor the landmarks that survived and remember those we lost, creating a deeper connection to the streets we walk every day.”

The guidebook is packed with extensive archival materials, featuring lush vintage photographs generously donated by the West Pasco Historical Society alongside detailed histories of preserved buildings, hidden gems, and long-lost landmarks. Special commentary seamlessly links historical narratives to modern businesses,

offering curated recommendations for local restaurants, taverns, art galleries, and boutique retailers for readers to enjoy along the tour route.

Perfect for heritage tourism, history buffs, and curious explorers, the book is available in paperback for $24.99. It can be purchased online directly from Arcadia Publishing, Target, and Barnes & Noble, with in-store pickup available at regional Florida storefronts in Palm Harbor, Clearwater, and Wesley Chapel. Locally, the book is also available for purchase at the historic Hacienda Hotel and the Rao Musunuru, M.D. Museum & Library in Sims Park.

Gary Vitacco-Robles’ work focuses on preserving the unique heritage of Florida’s Gulf Coast through meticulous archival research and compelling storytelling. In 2024, Arcadia Publishing released the author’s previous definitive work, New Port Richey’s Hacienda Hotel: A Haven for Silent Screen Stars, Literati, and Sports Legends.