Exploring Pasco History: The Moon Lake Dude Ranch

Many are familiar with Moon Lake, but few realize it was once the site of an extensive, nationally known, sportsman’s paradise called the Moon Lake Dude Ranch.

Moon Lake Dude Ranch had its beginnings in 1929, when owner Edward A. Haley set into motion his plans to establish one of the largest game hunting preserves on the west coast, operated in conjunction with his famed Fort Harrison Hotel in Clearwater.

Haley purchased an 8,000-acre tract of land from the former Aripeka Sawmills and the Hidden Lakes Game Preserve, Inc., which operated in the area for a short time prior under ownership of James Washington Clark Jr.-- also associated with the Moon Lake Preserve

This land surrounded Moon Lake, extended west to include Hidden Lakes, and stretched north near to State Road 52-- in all total it included more than 15 lakes and Moon Lake Road which was nothing more then a dirt rut through the woods.

Work was immediately put forth to enclose 6,000 acres with a four-foot woven wire fence with a few strands of barbed wire above it. When completed, there was 17 miles of fence surrounding the extensive natural preserve of lush Florida habitat.

The preserve was stocked with deer, wild turkey, pheasants, quail, largemouth bass, duck and various other types of game, while countless bear, alligator and wildcats already inhabited the property.

In 1930 Haley moved forward with implementing his plans for a modern clubhouse, several comfortable cottages, a dance hall, a magnificent stone horse stables and a fine boardwalk extending out to Moon Lake.

Workmen for the project lived in tents during construction. All the lumber, mostly consisting of cypress and palm, was cut from the ranch.

When completed, all the buildings bore a rustic appearance. The lodge and clubhouse covered 15, 580 square feet and had several huge fireplaces made with log mantles and natural stone gathered from the land. Also included was a large dining room, trophy room, casino, auditorium, 60-foot bar, maple dance floor-- the only wood not from the ranch-- and a great porch surrounding the entire structure.

The interior was eloquently decorated. On the walls and perched throughout were dozens of mounted animals-- hawk, bear, owl, deer, alligator, wild boar, bass fish, and various other types of local wildlife. Hanging from the ceiling was chandeliers made from cypress knees and visible throughout was rough cut cypress.

It was truly a sportsman’s paradise.

With a great amount of work still to be done, on August 4, 1933, the Tarpon Springs Leader reported the grand lodge formally opened to the public. Former Tampa Mayor D.B. McKay acted as a toastmaster.

By December that year, Haley bought about 30 thoroughbred to be used by guest along the 15-plus miles of bridle paths that stretched across the magnificent ranch.

Between 1934 and 1936, significant improvements were made to grounds surrounding the lodge with the addition of a public garden, walk-ways, rodeo ring and a huge lakeside dance floor to increase visitors and activities and compete with other garden attractions.

Added were: 11,000 planted palms; 35,000 rose bushes bedded to surround Moon Lake with four miles of radiant blooms; 70,000 amaryllis; numerous rare fruit trees, shrubs and lilies in the lagoons to bloom all year; 5,000 azaleas throughout; and numerous other beautifying and blooming plants.

In 1937, the Dade City Banner reported there were more than 150 men employed at the Moon Lake Gardens and Dude Ranch. A separate little town was built just for the workers.

The ranch employed its own road engineer, warden, hunting guides and taxidermist and was equipped with a diesel heating and light plant, eight-inch well, commissary, 80-acre fish hatchery and various other buildings for plants and animals.

By 1937, hundreds, if not thousands, of people from almost every state had visited the dude ranch. So significant was it that, in February 1937, presidential approval was granted to the Works Projects Administration [W.P.A.] to rebuild 6.5 miles of Moon Lake Road, beginning at county road 210, today's State Road 52, and running past the ranch’s lodge and clubhouse.

Work commenced in August, when the W.P.A crew of about 20 worked to clear and grade the road, which was straightened and doubled in size to sixteen feet wide.

Moon Lake Gardens and Dude Ranch was so prominent that, in July 1938, it became the scene of the state’s political affairs when the Florida House of Representative met for an informal caucus and election of a new speaker.

Escorted by Pasco sheriff’s deputies, lawmakers drove a 3.5-mile motorcade from Dade City and were later joined by family and friends. Roughly 250 guests enjoyed a lovely reception and dinner presented by Haley.

However, 1939 and World War II brought difficulties for the operations of the gardens and dude ranch. Haley could find few to employ, and rationing of gas caused a significant decrease in visitors.

It’s said Haley invested $600,000 into the development of his Moon Lake ranch, which was eventually forced to close from the effects of the war.

Following World War II Haley, found his finances in dire straits and, in May 1949, he died in Ashville, N.C. at age 73. Interment followed in Indian Springs, GA where he spent most of his childhood.

Haley’s Moon Lake Gardens and Dude Ranch was never reopened. A portion of the property was eventually purchased by James and Dorothy Schluter of St. Petersburg, who, in March 1951, sold the land to Robert L. Sumner of Dade City.

On August 12, 1954, the Dade City Banner reported Sumner sold 2,500 acres to Alexander T. Sprague of Chicago, Illinois for more than $150,000-- this included the former lodge and gardens.

Sprague was associated with a group of Chicago businessmen who had plans for a million-dollar retirement colony on the property-- the old lodge to be used as a recreation hall.

This was one of the first significant housing developments on the county’s west coast. Initial plans called for a community complete with a large shopping center and other general facilities, fully paved roads and affordable, three-bedroom homes ranging from $5,000- $7,000.

By September 1954, a survey crew was busy transforming the former ranch into the proposed community. In December, the first plat maps for Moon Lake Estates were filed with the Pasco County clerk and lots were advertised for $20 down.

For six years, surveyors worked to plat out the 21 units of the community which until recently still contained the former lodge building.

On Sept. 22, 1996, the old lodge was finally destroyed by an early-morning fire set by an arsonist. Today, all that remains of the former 6,000-acre game preserve and gardens are fond memories and a natural stone horse barn situated near Little Moon Lake, within the Water’s Edge subdivision.