How Brooksville Lived The Day JFK Was Assassinated How Brooksville Lived. This Day In History. In this issue we feature how the city lived during that pivotal day in history ... November 22, 1963, the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Included are its pop culture, prices, graduates and students, politicians and news events. Where were you when it happened? Thank you to the following who contributed to this issue: John White CBS News Archives Lou Charity Hernando Heritage

This issue features a brief history of local grocery stores. Grocery stores thave always been a vital part of the city. We have documentation of them as far back as 1885. Some of them are legendary and stood the test of time: Carlton's, Maillis, Publix, A&P, etc. Others are long forgotten. There is so much to offer with these rare photos and information. The advertisements are fascinating as well. Check out the prices. We hope you enjoy this savory and historic issue. Storie

This issue marks the second installment of Before the Mouse, an essay of local tourist life before Disney and the interstate system. In this issue we largely focus on the motels and restaurants and other popular tourist stops that were along Highways 41, 98, 19 and Florida Highway 50, plus some other surprises. Stories by Robert Martinez 1956 Florida Road Trip - Cool! Click on the arrow and take a road trip back to 1956 During the very early days of local tourism, riverboat

Local Tourism Before Disney - Part 1 Before The Mouse is a brief essay of life in our area and throughout the state before two of the most influential economic developments that changed the face of tourism in Florida forever, and all during a ten-year span of time. Read the fascinating account of how it really changed Florida forever. Stories by Robert Martinez Before The Mouse It had to happen. It was too good to be true. The pristine, unspoiled beauty of Central Florida and

Once again one of our most popular issues is the annual Old Photo Review, a grab bag of interesting photos and the stories behind them. In this issue, we cover time periods from 1860 to 1985. There's something for everyone. We hope you enjoy this installment of The Old Photo Review. Stories by Robert Martinez Thanks to the following for their contributions John White George Allen Jr. Lou Charity John Reeves Richard Stanaback Weeks Hardware (1933) on North Main began in 1916

The Stock Market Crash and The Great Depression Here is our explanation of the complex question of what caused the 1929 stock market to crash and how it slowly evolved into The Great Depression. Anyone who has ever taken a course in economics knows how it can tie the brain up in knots. Thanks to the following resources, we have been able to make some sense out of this and explain it to the best of our abilities. I want to especially thank Andrew Ross Sorkin for his new best s

Best of the 1922 Hernando High Yearbook Stories by Robert Martinez This issue brings you the best of the very first Hernando High Yearbook. Even though Hernando High had been in existence since 1889, this was the first one, 23 years after its start. There are only about two or three known copies of the yearbook to exist. I was fortunate enough to receive a copy years from the late Ken Austin, at one time a Hernando High educator, principal and Superintendent of Schools. It is

There's a Cure for that! This issue covers the history of local drug stores from the 1870s to the 1970s. A fascinating look at the early days of medicine when many products were only booze or other drugs concealed by flavorful syrups or coloring and fancy names. You'll see the earliest drug stores in Brooksville and the changes along the way. From the old wood frame buildings downtown to the shopping centers. Enjoy the ride. Stories by Robert Martinez Thanks to the following

Here is the best of Brooksville's 1958 Yellow Pages. What better way to see how Brooksville lived in 1958 than looking through these pages. Here you will see all the old car dealers, restaurants, department stores, grocers and realtors among others. Like a Norman Rockwell painting, it will recall those early days when everything was downtown and it seemed as if everyone knew everyone. A look at typical small town America during the Eisenhower years. Those old enough to have l

One of Brooksville's attractions has always been its historic homes. Some date as far back as the 1860s. This issue covers the history of all these homes. Many tourists have marveled at the homes in their tours around the city. Let this issue be your guide to some of Brooksville's finer homes. Homes with a history. Homes with stories to tell. Not cookie cutter corporate developments that are made to look the same everywhere. These homes have character and are unique to the ci

The Hernando High Graduates (Part 2) features graduates from 1952 to 1972. I'm sure you'll find many people you've come across in your life in Hernando County. Notice how the number of graduates escalated in 1964, the first official graduation year for baby boomers. By 1972, there were over 100 more graduates than just ten years before. Thanks to the following for their contributions John White George Allen Jr. Elaine Crum Sullivan Donnie Varn Hernando High students rock arou

Stories by Robert Martinez This is the first part of the Hernando High School Graduates from 1892 to 1951. If you wonder why it took so long for the county to have a high school, one must take into consideration that after the Civil War ended in 1865, the South was devastated economically and spiritually. While northern states had high schools as early as the 1840s to 1850s, most young people of age in the South were forced to work on their farms at an early age or drop out

Stories by Robert Martinez Part 1 of our series entitled Our Greatest Photos - Year by Year. This issue covers the greatest photos from 1885 - 1900 as selected by our readers from letters and comments. We hope you enjoy this special series. 1885 (tie) Hernando Hotel (1885) The new Hernando Hotel (1885) was the best in town. On North Main, it was located where the rear part of Truist Bank is today. Notice the post office on the right. The hotel would burn down in 1899. 1885 (t

We continue our series entitled Our Greatest Photos - Year by Year, a special series that features in chronological order the best photos from our collection for that year. This issue is Part 2, covering the years from 1901 - 1917. Stories by Robert Martinez 1901 Brooksville Skyline Brooksville skyline (1901) - a view from west of downtown. Behind the horse is the original 1878 courthouse (facing). To the far right is the new Jennings Building and other stores. This rare pho

We continue our series entitled Our Greatest Photos - Year by Year. This special series continues with Part 3 - (1918-1931) featuring the best photos in chronological order for each year listed. 1918 One of the most remarkable photos ever (1918) was the burning of the Varnada Hotel. At the corner of Brooksville Avenue and Jefferson Street since 1906, it was at the time one of Florida's grandest hotels. The fire occurred on a Sunday morning, April 28, 1918. 1919 On the first a

Part 2 Stories by Robert Martinez Back in the 19th century and earlier part of the 20th century there were many small hamlets and villages that dotted the Hernando County map. Here is the 2nd chapter of these ghost towns along with their post offices and a few maps to guide you toward their location. You can have fun with this issue exploring the county, looking for these old spots and the ghosts of our past. Also included in this issue is the legend of the baby ghost at the

Part 1 Stories by Robert Martinez This issue covers our local history of ghost towns. Back in the 19th century and earlier part of the 20th century there were many small hamlets and villages that dotted the Hernando County map. Here is the history of those ghost towns, along with their post offices and a few maps to guide your toward their location. You can have a lot of fun with this issue exploring the county looking for these old spots and imagining what life must have bee

Part 4 of our series entitled Our Greatest Photos - Year by Year. This issue covers 1932 to 1945. For those who lived through it, there is no need to explain. For those who didn't, the period between 1930 and 1945 was the most horrifying, devastating and struggling period in our recent history. Not only did the "Great Depression" ruin our economy and way of life, millions were uprooted from their homes, their businesses and jobs, creating a desperate country like we had never

By: Robert Martinez From our vast archives of thousands of photos, we continue our series entitled Our Greatest Photos - Year by Year. A special series that will feature in chronological order the best photos from our collection for that year. This is Part 5 covering the greatest photos, year by year, from 1946 - 1960 selected by the popularity of our photos from over 23 years of our publication by our readers and from letters and comments. For many, growing up or living thro

This issue "Old School" covers the history of public schools in Hernando County. The first school started in 1851 just west of Brooksville in a small Hamlet called Springhill, which was near Citrus Way and W. Ft. Dade Avenue. Small schools were scattered all over the county by the 1880s. Brooksville's first high school began in 1889. Hope you enjoy this issue and thank you Brooksville for keeping our history alive. Thanks to the following for their contributions John White He

Stories by Robert Martinez We all remember what we were doing when we heard the news of his death. Today, his fame borders on mythical proportions. This issue recalls his early visits to this area and all the excitement. We were all shook up! We wish to thank the following who contributed photos and ideas for this issue Beverly Marsh Hughes Bobby and Betty Snow Roger Landers Dennis Rhodes and Frasier Mountain at the 1885 Depot Don, David and Bill Whitehead Leonard Polansky Wh

DEATHDREAM!!! Brooksville's own horror cult movie filmed on location all over town. Time has proven it to be a major influence on movies like The Blair Witch Project and other slash genre film classics. If you watch the movie, it's also a step back to that time as you visit various Brooksville locations. We would like to thank those who contributed to this issue Lou Charity John White 1885 Train Depot Deathdream was filmed in Brooksville during the last three months of 1972.

This issue celebrates the the Greatest Photos of All Time (1961 - 1975) Selected by the popularity of our photos by our readers and from letters and comments, the 15 years represented one of the biggest changes in our American attitudes ever. From the age of blissful innocence to an age of cynical uncertainty. 1961 Who else could it be but Elvis the day he visited Weeki Wachee to a crowd of 2,500 while filming Follow That Dream in Citrus County. 1962 The new Lykes Memorial Ho

A History of Brooksville's Theatres The history of movie theaters in Brooksville began in 1909. Florida actually had movie studios back then with one of the biggest, the Lubin Company, in Jacksonville from 1910 - 1913. A young Oliver Hardy (later of Laurel & Hardy fame) worked there in 1912. The northeast's early movie moguls preferred Florida because of the weather, but soured on that because of the intense heat, rain, bugs and humidity and soon moved to California, where t

Try to imagine a life without radio, TV, internet or your smart phone. That's the way it was before the 1920s. How exciting it must have been to hear a program from far away, a big band or a star-studded show from a big hotel in a big city, or just a man or woman's voice like they are in the same room with you, right here in Brooksville on the radio. These were the exciting early years of radio. We hope we captured that early excitement and how it changed us forever. Thanks t

Old Brooksville Avenue (1913). The Varnada Garage, The Star Theater and a printing business. The house to the far right across Broad Street is Cappleman's Restaurant. Before 1987 and the court house extension project, there was a Street between Broad and Jefferson Street known as North Brooksville Avenue that extended all the way to Ft. Dade Avenue. This issue focuses on the forgotten Street and other old memories along Brooksville Avenue. Hope you enjoy this special issue, "

Building the Hernando State Bank (1905). The first bank in Brooksville since 1897. The Brooksville State Bank opened in 1890, but the citrus freeze drove them under. These are the buildings that have stood the test of time and are one of the best reminders of our past and how it must have been for local citizens living here over 100 years ago. Considering that our local history as an American experience dates back to only about 1835-40, in the scheme of things and compared to

The Hedick family of the Lake Lindsey area (1884) - Smithie Hedick, Lizzie, Franklin M. and Sara h One of the most fascinating things about Old Brooksville magazine is our search for old photos. The older the better. This issue features some of he classic old photos from the 19th century. Directly after the Civil War you began to see more professional photographers as well as local individuals taking up the hobby of photography. Tintypes were popular between 1860 and 1890. Da

This issue covers our local history of baseball. From the very early beginnings before the Civil War and how it spread to the south and ultimately Brooksville. Along the way we'll see the teams and stories that shaped the character of the game and those individuals who succeeded as well. Baseball has been played in Brooksville since around 1900 by various accounts, but it is also fascinating to see how it arrived here. Thanks to the following for their contributions John Whi

Volume 318 - November 2024 of Old Brooksville In Photos & Stories - The Map Book 1680 - 1970. A fascinating visit through the development of Brooksville (and before it was Brooksville) and Hernando County, Florida, plus a few pictures showing the nearby small towns and hamlets, some of them no longer around. Thanks to the following for their contributions John White George Allen Jr. Hernando Historical Society Florida Archives 1853 area map by Thomas Cowperthwait shows the to

Brooksville, Florida, rich in history, showcases a narrative rooted in the lives of the Native American tribes that once inhabited the area. This blog post takes you on a journey through Brooksville's past, highlighting its early inhabitants, the establishment of the town, and the origins of its name. Native American Inhabitants Before European settlers arrived, various Native American tribes, particularly the Timucua and Seminole, thrived in what is now Brooksville. These tr

Our Automotive Scrapbook features a delightful array of old auto ads, photos and Americana that helped shape our Automotive culture which is now a main part of our lives. There are many surprises in this issue. Thank you to the following for their contributions: Sandra Bell Shorter John White Lou Charity Hernando Heritage Museum George Allen Jr. Brooksville's First Car Owners William H. Boswell - June 16, 1908 P.L. Weeks - February 24, 1909 R.N. Chelf - March 1, 1909 William

St. Augustine, Florida, was founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, it is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the continental United States. With its stunning architecture and vibrant culture, St. Augustine offers a captivating look into life during Spanish rule. This post will take you through the significant aspects of this era, spotlighting its unique architecture, daily lives of its residents, and cultural exchanges that helped s

It was a hard decision, but we narrowed it down to our Top 25 covers of the print version of Old Brooksville in Photos and Stories. We began in 1997 and in 2026 we will celebrate our 30th year. There are a total of 328 issues so far and our goal is to get them all up here for your enjoyment. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy The Top 25 Covers of Old Brooksville listed here in no particular order.

Jefferson Street (1913) looking east. The bank building on the left still stands as Truist Bank. The famed Varnada Hotel is down the street. Carriages and early cars are few on the new brick streets that Sunday. There have always been three main streets in Brooksville, Main Street, Broad Street and Jefferson Street. We have done pictorial and historical essays on Main and Broad in the past but never one exclusively on Jefferson Street. This issue brings photos covering nearly

1952 ad found in a Brooksvile magazine shows the efforts of cigarette manufacturers to allay the fears of consumers after it was proven that smoking causes cancer. Other manufacturers would also feature movie stars, recording artists and famous sports figures touting how safe they were. Advertising has always held a special place with me. I majored in Advertising/English at the University of Florida in 1968 and have been involved in it ever since. As a kid, I was always fasci

The newly paved State Road 5 (later to become US 41) 1925. This is South Broad Street heading north into downtown. The Road. The road is the road of life. It leads us to many cities and towns across America. Each one leading to an adventure in our lives. This is a pictorial essay of the development of roads in Brooksville and Hernando County history. From dirt roads of the 1800's to the roads we have today. It is the old roads and US or state highways that capture the charact

Our 1953 cover photo will bring back many memories of that old orange Gulf sign. This is Webb's Gulf Station, US 41 N. & Old Crystal River Road, there from 1939 until late 1970s. Pictured is Elwood Webb Sr., who began the station in 1939 and remained in business for nearly 40 years. It also served as a convenience store for those near Lake Lindsey and North Brooksville. This issue features our famous Old Photo Review of classic old photos, ads and other cultural artifacts. Th

Starting our 28th year takes us back 100 years to 1925. 1925 may be the most prosperous year in Brooksville history. The economy was at an all-time high, new towns were springing up around Brooksville, homes were being built, many businesses boomed including citrus and the rock mines, and major roads were being paved making 1925 the high-water mark of the roaring 20s in general and throughout the nation as well. By 1928, the Florida boom had died, a precursor to the stock ma

This issue covers how the train changed Brooksville with a pictorial history of train travel in Brooksville and how it spurred our growth tremendously, not only here, but across the nation. We all know how it gave birth to cattle drives from Texas up or Kansas with the newly formed railroad lines connecting directly to Chicago and New York. The same thing in Florida, enabling the citrus and tourist industry to flourish and later on for the rock mines as well. Train travel was

The Wild West gave us many bad men in folklore. In the history of the west, there was no one as despised, feared and prolific a killer as John Wesley Hardin. Legend has it he killed at least 44 men in his lifetime. An 1873 news item in a Savannah, Georgia newspaper led us to this story of his visit to Brooksville, Florida where he killed a man. It is amazing that the deadliest killer in western history would visit Brooksville. Here is the rise and fall of John Wesley Hardin.

The famed Trieman House (originally Coogler House) 1913 Brooksville, a quaint town tucked away in Florida, offers a captivating history...