History of Hudson Cemetery

Section 27 - Township 24 - Range 16

The family made it through their grieving process and began to establish a community around their home.  After filing the application, Isaac Hudson received the okay to establish a post office. On May 16, 1882 Isaac Hudson set aside a room in his new two-story home for the services of this post office. Isaac had chosen to name this post office Hudson Landing however the name was rejected and shortened to just Hudson. According to the 1885-6 Florida Gazetteer mail was received in Hudson on Mondays and Fridays. The population of Hudson was only 16, at the time, so you can see the reason for mail service two days a week.

Ca. 1882 a Baptist Church was built, the building made of pitch pine was said to have been located on the corner of Hudson Ave. and Old Dixie Hwy, however it seems that the building may have been moved to that location sometime in 1926. According to The Story of Hudson, Florida, written in 1973, "One of the oldest landmarks in Hudson was erected before 1900 by the Baptist on the lot now occupied by the homes of Mr. and Mrs. Willie Knowles on Hudson Ave.  This site was next to the present Baptist house of worship.  The building has been located on at least four different places  In 1926 the land changed hands.  At that time the building was not being used for religious purposes and it was moved a short distance west to the corner of Main Street [Old Dixie Hwy.] and Hudson Ave.  For twenty years after being taken to this spot, it served various and sundry purposes.  Some of the most reliable sources say that it was a general store for a time, and at another ice cream and soda pop were sold from it.  For a year or two it was utilized as a dwelling house and later became a sort of community center in which were held public meetings, fish fries, dances and other forms of entertainment.  Built as a church, it was used for almost every public and private purpose while it was located on this corner, which the local people called the Four Corners.  In 1945 a Community Church was formed by a group of citizens, and the old weather-beaten building was taken over by them to be used for religious purposes again.  But it did not remain on this lot for long, the Baptist bought the ground on which the building stood.  Since it was their intentions to build on the corner, it became necessary to find another home for the old structure."  

By 1898 the Methodist established a congregation and built a church, in December of the same year Rev. J.M. Mitchell was appointed the pastor.  The original building constructed by the Methodist congregation was destroyed by fire, date unknown.  According to The Story of Hudson, Florida, the church was located on the corner of Brady St. and Hudson Ave.  "The land belonged to the Methodist who, at one time, had a place of worship on it, but it had burned down."  The Baptist Church sold the old building on the corner of Old Dixie Hwy and Hudson Ave to the Methodist.  The old building was moved for the last time and served once again as a house of worship, this time for the Methodist Church.  

Just after the turn of the century a new church was established in Hudson, this was the Hudson Church of God.  According to life long resident Brenda Knowles, the Church of God was established ca. 1914.  It wasn't until 1919 that the Church of God received deed to property of its own.  According to Pasco County land records on March 27, 1919 Mary S. Brady, widow of William Brady; Sarah S. Gomez, daghter; and Mary E. Knowles, daughter; deeded property to W.S. Knowles, T.W. Brady and Thomas Pinder; trustees of the Church of God at Hudson.  This church was also on Hudson Ave. and was located near the Baptist and Methodist Churches.  It is believed that William Brady allowed the church to use his property prior to 1919, after his death the family deeded the property to the Church of God.  These three churches stood as the only places of worship until 1945 when the Community Church was organized by a group of citizens.

    
(Left) The picture believed to be the original Methodist Church building built ca. 1898 and stood on the corner of Hudson Ave and Old Dixie Hwy.  (Right) The Hudson Church of God built ca. 1914, this church was located on the property of William Brady.  (Pictures Courtesy of Brenda Knowles and may not be reproduced)

As more people moved to Hudson it became more populated with the passing of time.  In 1883 Isaac had his surveyor friend Henry Clay Bush start the survey of Hudson.  On 03 August 1892, fourteen years after the passing of Ida Melissa Hudson to the day, the community mourned the loss of Isaac Washington Hudson himself. He too was laid to rest in the Hudson community cemetery that he had created.  After Isaac Hudson died the post office was relocated to the property of M.L. Mosley on Hudson Ave., near the churches.  The post office was located next to the first drug store of Hudson, according to Brenda Knowles this first drug store was operated by Dr. Gasborn.  By 1898 the population of Hudson had grown so much that additions were added to the plat of Hudson, including the second location of the post office on Moseley's property.  (click here to see plat of Hudson)

After the death of Isaac Hudson the post office was moved to the property of M.L. Mosley.  According to Brenda Knowles, "this building was built next to the Hudson Post office by Dr. Gasborn from
Dade City and was used as a drug store.  The post office in the picture was operated by Baptist Minister Joseph smith.   The sign on the building in this picture reads: "Post Office Hudson, FLA."  (Photo Courtesy of Brenda Knowles and may not be reproduced)



Ca. 1900 this building was occupied by Dr. George Goshen who operated the town drug store and Dr. Posey who operated a doctor's office.   Dr. Posey also owned a home on Orange Lake in New Port Richey.  This building sat near to Hudson Spring on Hudson Ave.  (Photo courtesy of Brenda Knowles and may not be reproduced)

In 1927 renovations to a dilapidated old building, which sat on Hudson Springs, began.  On January 14, 1927 the Dade City Banner reported, "Hudson Hotel Will Open February 15.  Future Looks Good For West Pasco Community; Many Developments Expected.  Hudson Jan. 10- Work is progressing rapidly on the remodeling of the large building by the big spring, and Dr. C.J. Edgar, the new owner, has announced that he will be opened February 1st as a fisherman's and hunters' lodge.  Baths have been installed, a large fireplace built, and other essentials for the enjoyment of the comforts of  a good, home-like hotel in the country.  The hotel faces the Gulf and from the large verandas one obtains a fine view of the water.  Fishing and pleasure boats will be provided, and reliable guides, who know the country thoroughly, will be on hand to take parties out on the Gulf to fish, or into the country and nearby hammocks to hunt.  A pavilion will be built on the hotel grounds, where fish dinners and lunches will be served to those who come here for a days picnic and fishing."

According to the Tarpon Springs Leader on March 2, 1927, "Hudson's first Hotel Opens.  Sunday morning at Hudson was an eventful day for the small town for it was the day that their first hotel opened its doors.  Dr. Edgar, who had come to Florida from Montreal, went ahead with his plans and a crew of workmen transformed the abandoned building into a most attractive lodge, a water system in which the town folks participated was installed and now he has a light system; so he has made possible all city conveniences, and Sunday when he opened his new hotel more than a hundred hungry folks were clamoring for dinner.  The dinner was all they could expect and the day was spent on the gulf, or in the delightful walks about the hotel."  This large elegant hotel was named the Gulf Springs Hotel and stood as an early attraction in Hudson, it is said Babe Ruth visited a time or two.  In January of 1943 the Gulf Springs Hotel was destroyed by fire.  According to a New Port Richey Press article dated February 5, 1943, "The Gulf Springs Lodge burned to the ground last Saturday night, two weeks ago.  It was one of the landmarks and a beauty spot of Hudson.  Citezens regret the loss to the community."

     

These two photos taken from the creek leading to Hudson Springs, shows the Gulf Springs Hotel sitting next to the spring.  (Photos Courtesy of Brenda Knowles and may not be reproduced)

                                              

(Left) A view of the Gulf Springs Hotel from the front, date unknown.  (Right) Taken in January of 1943 this photo shows the remains of the Gulf Springs Hotel after it was completely destroyed by fire.  This picture shows where the front of the hotel once stood.  (Photos Courtesy of Brenda Knowles and may not be reproduced)

The Gulf Springs hotel, as mentioned, sat on the banks of Hudson Springs and creek.  According to Historic Place of Pasco County by James Horgan, Alice Hall, and Edward Hermann, "this natural salt and fresh water tidal spring has contributed to the community's development since its establishment in 1878. Warehouses and fish houses were built along the banks of the creek, where railroad tracks also ran.  Fish and supplies were shipped by rail to the nearby lumber towns of Fivay and Sagano for local use and for delivery to other communities.  Lumber and naval stores were railed to Hudson for transferring to freight sloops plying the Gulf of Mexico.  The Springs Hotel, located at the head of the natural boiling springs, was the center of activities for saltwater fishing and hunting enthusiasts from the early 1900's until 1943 [when it was destroyed by fire].  For many years , the spring location was the site of traditional Fourth of July political rally and fish fry sponsored by the community.

   

(Left) A view of Hudson Springs ca. 1900 before any development occurred.  Even during this time Hudson Springs was an attraction for the community.  (Right) Hudson Creek Train Depot ca. 1910.  

    
(Left) There were also many homes built around Hudson Springs as shown in the picture taken prior the opening of the Gulf Springs Hotel.  (Right) The Hudson train depot at Hudson Creek.  Pictured also is the Littell Fish house operated by C.P. Littell and wharf.  This fish house and train depot loading docks were located at the mouth of Hudson Creek.  (Photos Courtesy of Brenda Knowles and may not be reproduced)

The history of the Hudson Cemetery is as old as the Town of Hudson.  With the population growing the small cemetery became a community cemetery, with many pioneer families now at rest there. Among the pioneers buried there are two Confederate soldiers, James A Hay FL Infantry Co. C, died February 16, 1916 and Vivian I. Lewis 2nd KY Cav. Co. E, no date of death.  The cemetery used to set among 100 year old oaks and other trees that covered the area. 

When the families had to make the decision of burying a loved one, many times, there were no specific places picked out prior. On 08 August 1941 the New Port Richey Press mentioned improvements being done to the town of Hudson, among those was the cleaning and fencing of the Hudson Cemetery. The newly formed board of trustees for the Hudson Cemetery made these improvements and when the decision to fence the cemetery was made the fence was misplaced. The fencing was not put on the property line but was placed around the marked graves; a current survey of the cemetery shows the property line and the fence line do not match. In fact if the fence were to be moved today, to its current property line, there would be 43 graves on the outside. There are still unmarked graves on the outside of this fence line too. The Knowles family discussed with me how the late Michael Knowles knew several of those individuals who were buried outside the cemetery fencing; most of them African-Americans who could not provide for themselves. These would have been considered pauper graves. These pauper graves were not marked and due to the mis-placement of the fencing in 1941 they became part of the grassy area to the south of the present ABC Liquor store. You can see several areas were the ground is sunken down or collapsed indicating an unmarked grave.  A current survey of Hudson Cemetery (click here for the image) shows the fence line compared to the property line.

According to Pasco County land records, in October of 1958 the cemetery property was surveyed by Tom Sawyer and Mercy Arnold.  The plat of the cemetery was filed with Pasco County on November 26,1958. (click here to see 1958 cemetery plat map)  

During the 70's or 80's, during the widening of U.S. 19, there were several graves moved out of the right of way. U.S. 19 comes within feet of the cemetery and several graves. This quiet little county cemetery that was once surrounded by the woods, has become surrounded by the ever-growing developments in the Town of Hudson.  Due to there being so many unmarked graves in the cemetery no further burials are permitted in what is called the old section, however there has been a new section added in which there is plenty of space. These unmarked graves are not including the pauper graves, previously mentioned, on the outside of the fence. Like most cemeteries in Pasco County, Hudson Cemetery has signs from its fair share of abuse. In spite of vandalism from the past this is a well-maintained and well-kept cemetery regardless of much litter from the nearby businesses. The efforts of the cemetery's board of trustees over the years are shown through this cemetery's well-kept appearance.  

The Hudson family lived in this town, which they created from nothing, and spent nearly a century in the very house Isaac built, until the passing of Alfred Hudson in 1968; Alfred was 97 years old. The Hudson house still stands today and is currently owned by Olive and Stephan Spoeth. Noises can be heard and figures can be seen strolling through the home and when shown a picture of Isaac Hudson it was confirmed that this was the figure they had seen wandering about.

Hudson Family Photos

These photos taken in the late 1880's picture Isaac Hudson Sr. 1825-1892 and his wife Amanda Laverna Cobb Hudson 1831-1922, the founders of Hudson.  These photos were taken at their home Hudson.  (Photos courtesy of New Port Richey Library and Florida Pioneer Museum)




(Left) Isaac Washington Hudson Jr. and wife Nettie E. Hay Hudson on their wedding day in November of 1895.  (Right) Isaac W. Hudson Jr. at the age of 20, this photo was taken in 1890.  (Photos courtesy of Brenda Knowles and Florida Pioneer Museum)




(Left) Franklin Hudson 1864-1919, husband to Rivers Hudson.  (Right) Doxie Hudson Mobley  1875-1973, wife to Judge A. Mobley, photos taken in late 1800's  (Photos courtesy of Brenda Knowles and Florida Pioneer Museum)




(Left) Alfred Leander Hudson 1872-1968, husband to Annie Leopold Hudson.  (Right) Alfred Hudson standing in front of his home in 1945, this historic house was razed in 2005.  (Photos courtesy of Brenda Knowles and Florida Pioneer Museum)

This article was last revised on June 24, 2007.