Editing Wesley Chapel, Florida (section)

==History==
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Wesley Chapel originated in the mid-1800s as a cohesive community of settlers. Evidence of Native American presence in the area has been documented as early as 10,000 BC. Lumber harvesting and turpentine production became prominent industries, while cash-crop farming, citrus, and livestock ranching provided sustenance for the pioneer settlement. Charcoal kilns, gator hunting, and moonshine stills supplemented incomes and spawned legends. The community was also identified by the monikers Gatorville, Double Branch, and Godwin. From 1897 to 1902, Wesley Chapel boasted its own post office, two sawmills, and a general store. Primitive roads left residents with an informal town nucleus, and services shifted to surrounding towns until the late 20th century, when postal service and incorporation emerged, and the lumber trusts of John D. Rockefeller, Otto Hermann Kahn, and Edwin Wiley morphed into sizable ranches. The pioneer Boyett(e), Gillett(e), Godwin, and Kersey families received land grants in the area in the 1840s. The real influx of settlers, however, began around the Civil War when the Stanleys and Coopers arrived. The population was 44,092 at the 2010 census, making it the most populous community in Pasco County. In 2003, some residents of Wesley Chapel started a movement to incorporate the community as a city (including areas not in the official CDP), but these plans never materialized.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-25 |title=Wesley Chapel is rich with history, even if it's less known |url=https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-pasco/wesley-chapel-is-rich-with-history-even-if-its-less-known |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=ABC Action News Tampa Bay (WFTS) |language=en}}</ref>

Originally called Double Branch for the area's twin creeks, the community was named for the [[Methodism|Methodist church]] that stood on the northwest corner of SR 54 and Boyette Road. A popular nickname for the area was "Gatorville".

Wesley Chapel has been a major catalyst in the rapid growth of [[Pasco County]], the 38th fastest-growing county in the nation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2006/03/15/real_estate/fastest_growing_US_counties/index.htm|title=100 fastest growing counties - Mar. 16, 2006|work=cnn.com}}</ref> and retains much in the way of wildlife.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/14/Pasco/An_inspirational_begi.shtml|title=Pasco: An inspirational beginning for funky decor store|work=sptimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sptimes.com/2006/05/26/Northoftampa/Boutiques_in_the__bur.shtml|title=Northoftampa: Boutiques in the 'burbs|work=sptimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/retail/platos-closet-featuring-trendy-secondhand-clothes-will-open-in-shoppes-at/1087816|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014155704/http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/retail/platos-closet-featuring-trendy-secondhand-clothes-will-open-in-shoppes-at/1087816|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 14, 2012|title=Plato's Closet, featuring trendy secondhand clothes, will open in Shoppes at New Tampa|work=Tampa Bay Times}}</ref>