During the mid-1800s life in Florida was difficult at best. There were no modern conveniences and travel by horse, or wagon, was the order of the day. Railways did not exist in the area at the time and a trek of only 10 miles may take an entire day depending on the conditions of roads and trails. The original town of Bay Port (now spelled Bayport) was established at the end of the Second Seminole Indian War, ca. 1852. The town was located at the mouth of the Weeki Wachee River on the Gulf of Mexico in what is now West-Hernando County. The original settlers saw a need for a local port to facilitate the export of the county's agricultural products and to import much-needed supplies to the area. The Bay Port community grew and strived. By 1884, the town of Bay Port had an estimated 60 residents! (Remarkably, the 2000 U.S. Census reports there are currently 36 people residing in the Bayport community; the town that time forgot!)

Bayport Historical Marker

The thriving town of Bay Port changed with the onset of the Civil War. A blockade of the port at Bay Port by Union Naval Forces would essentially shut down the port. Although the port was fortified, it was ill-equipped to deal with the attacks from Union Forces. By the end of the Civil war, much of the original Bay Port community had been destroyed. Today there is nothing more than a historical marker, a dilapidated cemetery, and a small number of weathered artifacts to mark the existence of the original Bay Port settlement.

The Bay Port Hotel, ca. 1857

 

The Bay Port Hotel, believed to be constructed in 1857, was the original residence of Major Thomas Henry Parsons. Major Parsons was largely responsible for the original settlement at Bay Port. The hotel has been described as a stately building with several large guest rooms equipped with sturdy mahogany beds. Meals were fed family-style and the hotel was a popular destination for locals and visitors from the north. During its hey-day the hotel was operated by Mrs. Fannie Goethe, affectionately referred to as “Ole Miss”. She is chronicled as a woman of small stature and strong will. Her descendants live in the Bayport area to this day. Mrs. Goethe also served as ‘Post Mistress’ for the community. Soon after her death the Bay Port Hotel closed and fell into disrepair. The hotel was destroyed by fire in 1943.

Fannie 'Ole Miss' Goethe

Today's Bayport Inn was constructed in 1960. It began as a modest restaurant and lounge with a small dining area and even smaller lounge. Old timers will tell you,”If you didn't get there early, there was no seat at the bar!” There was a screened outdoor area adjacent to the bar with a live-bait well. This is the location of the enclosed lounge today. When Hurricane Jeanne struck in 2004, many outdoor amenities were damaged or destroyed. A tornado damaged the roof of the motel and gazebo, and the mast of the sailboat/spa was toppled. The outdoor venue was soon remodeled under a spacious tarp and aluminum support structure. In fact, if one looks closely they will see that some of the support beams are actually the mast of the damaged sailboat.

Today Bayport Inn is a dining destination! Some of the best food in Florida awaits those who take the five mile drive west of U.S. 19 to ‘old’ Florida. Join us for excellent food, weekend entertainment, and great libations served by the friendliest staff in Florida! You'll be glad you did!

Bayport Inn • 4835 Cortez Blvd. • Brooksville, FL • 352.596.1088