Brooksville is a reflection of “the Old South.” It grew from two communities: Fort DeSoto and Pierceville. In 1843, Hernando County incorporated what is today known as Pasco, Hernando and Citrus Counties. Visiting Brooksville today brings southern hospitality to fun, adventure, shopping, dining and a myriad of discoveries.
The city of Brooksville is the county seat of Hernando County, Florida. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 7,719 and an area of 10.9 square miles. The geographic center of the State of Florida is 12 miles north-northwest of Brooksville.
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Have a Blast at the 40th Annual Brooksville Raid
The Hernando Historical Museum Association, Inc. and North Pinellas County Scout Sertoma Club, Inc. are presenting the 40th Annual Brooksville Raid Re-enactment, Jan. 18-19, 2020 at the Sand Hill Scout Reservation, 11210 Cortez Boulevard in Brooksville. (Feature image courtesy of Joe Dube.) This unique event is eye-opening and educational, as… Read More
Learning about Water Management via Kayak
It’s commonly called “swift mud” locally in a mispronunciation of the initials defining the Southwest Water Management District (SWFWMD). SWFWMD is one of five water management districts in Florida, and the District covers sixteen counties including Florida’s Nature Coast. It is headquartered in Brooksville, Florida. Today, the Southwest… Read More
Improving Lives with The Arc Nature Coast
In 1973, a small group of Hernando County residents sought a better way to care for the Intellectually and Developmentally Disabled citizens of the area. Many of these families had children or relatives who had been labelled “retarded” and were living in dark institutions away from their loved ones. These… Read More
Hiking the Chinsegut Hill Trail: Here’s what we Found
It was a beautiful day in May, sunny and a bit humid (but this is Florida and that’s how we roll). After a delicious lunch at the Chinsegut Hill dining hall, my son, David, and I were to go exploring on the “hidden” Chinsegut Hill trail. Renee Berger was our… Read More
Hernando Audubon February Activities
Hernando Audubon Society Meeting: “Florida Panthers Face New Challenges.” The proposed construction of a new expressway from Polk to Collier counties cuts through the heart of the Florida Panthers’ habitat and will have a devastating effect on the panther population. Speaker Elizabeth Fleming is the senior Florida representative of Defenders… Read More
Live Oak Theatre to Hold a “Princess Tea”
Live Oak Theatre is pleased to announce that it will hold its first Live Oak Theatre Annual Princess Tea, hosted by “Princess Mermaid Ariel.” Mermaid Ariel and her princess friends will sing songs, teach young princess guests proper princess etiquette and help each young guest make a special fairy wand… Read More
Call to Artists and Creatives
Brooksville Main Street’s monthly Arts and Autos is kicking off Saturday, January 18 and will include a market made up exclusively of artists, handmade/ handcrafted exhibitors, and a collection of some non-profit organizations in the local community. There will be space dedicated to locally owned… Read More
Live Oak Theatre Invites the Public to Its First IMPROV Night
Live Oak Theatre invites the public to its first-ever IMPROV Night on January 24, 2020, at 7:30 pm at the Carol & Frank Morsani Center for the Arts, 21030 Cortez Boulevard, Brooksville, Florida 34601. Doors open at 7 pm. Only $10 per person and concessions will be available for purchase… Read More
Sertoma Speech & Hearing Florida January events
Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida announces the following community events that will be held during the month of January. Free hearing screenings and free amplified phones will be provided at each event. January 14th: 9 am – 4 pm at St. John Bosco Clinic, 730 NW… Read More
2020 New Year Update with Brooksville Main Street
On Vision and Goals Back in my twenties, I used to say yes to everything and then was so over-committed that scheduled controlled my life. Then came a period of serious illness when I had to severely limit any activity unrelated to raising the four kids. That was the beginning… Read More
January HCUD Water Awareness Series
January HCUD Water Awareness Series The Hernando County Utilities Department (HCUD) Water Awareness Series offers free monthly classes to educate participants on how to protect Florida’s water resources. Residents are invited to attend “How Hernando Citizens Contribute to Science” on Friday, January 10, 2020, from 10 a.m. to noon at… Read More
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ January Class/Workshop Schedule
The Hernando County Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) program offers classes and workshops year-round to help residents learn how to save time, money and water when maintaining their lawns and gardens. The schedule of classes along with a short description of each is listed below. Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ January Class/Workshop Schedule Free Class:… Read More
Hernando County Utilities Classes
Free Class – Ten Simple Steps to a Florida-Friendly Yard Residents are invited to attend a free class, “Ten Simple Steps to a Florida-Friendly Yard” on Thursday, January 2, 2020, at the West Hernando Library – 6335 Blackbird Ave, Brooksville at 10:30 a.m. Florida is unique when it comes to… Read More
Have a Blast at the 40th Annual Brooksville Raid
The Hernando Historical Museum Association, Inc. and North Pinellas County Scout Sertoma Club, Inc. are presenting the 40th Annual Brooksville Raid Re-enactment, Jan. 18-19, 2020 at the Sand Hill Scout Reservation, 11210 Cortez Boulevard in Brooksville. (Feature image courtesy of Joe Dube.) This unique event is eye-opening and educational, as… Read More
Hernando Audubon January 2020 Activities
Hernando Audubon Society Meeting: “Thirty Years of Bird Banding”: Researcher Siah St. Clair will talk about what has been learned from banding birds for 30 years at one site in Minnesota. Hernando Audubon January 2020 Activities He will discuss how bird populations and reproduction have changed during this period… Read More
Florida Cracker Christmas features Bellamy Brothers concert
On December 21st Florida Cracker Kitchen is teaming up with Operation Heart F.E.L.T. and Florida Natives, The Bellamy Brothers, for the inaugural Florida Cracker Christmas! With a full lineup of country music and headliners, The Bellamy Brothers, it is sure to be a great night supporting a great cause. Read More
Quick Brooksville History
Brooksville was originally known as Melendez and then Benton. Incorporated in 1856, it is a wonderful city featuring a hilly terrain that ranges in elevation from 175 to 274 feet. There is a long history of successful planters, growers, and cattlemen in and around Brooksville.
Its southern background is reflected in its name, honoring South Carolina Congressman Preston Brooks who is best noted for hitting abolitionist Senator Charles Sumner on the head with his cane.
The downtown area features the iconic Hernando Courthouse, along with great shopping in unique stores featuring everything from antiques, outfits, high-end resales, stationery, flowers and bric-a-brac to formal gowns – and a centennial hardware store. Some streets still show the Augusta bricks laid by slaves in the 1800s.
Visiting Brooksville Today
There are several downtown restaurants and coffee shops, along with legal and banking offices, a library and a park. Brooksville is working hard to revive its downtown to attract more visitors and became a Florida Main Street community in 2016.
They hold several events in the downtown area as well as host farmers and artist markets, as well as motorcycle rallies and holiday events.
Local art is displayed in several downtown businesses and buildings, as well as murals painted throughout the downtown area. The Brooksville City Hall building houses a changing art exhibit in The Uptown Gallery, and all are welcome. There is no charge.
The architecture is interesting in several buildings and a wonderful historic walking tour can be had for the simple act of following the map here. If you would like more information about each building on the historic tour, download the complete guide here.
Visit the May Stringer Museum, located at 600 West Jefferson. Housed in the 1850 Stringer House, a Queen Anne masterpiece with a four-story tower, this historic building is reputed to be haunted.
F. L. Stringer was a State Senator and judge. With thousands of historic artifacts and regular tours, it commemorates the Civil War era and provides a glimpse at the lifestyle and relics of a gone but not forgotten segment of American history. Ghost tours are held on Friday and Saturday nights by reservation.
There are a historic train depot museum and one-room schoolhouse to visit on Russell Street.
Continue east to find another wonderful shopping area, featuring the Hawkins House, Transformed Treasures, The Wired Bird, and the Florida Cracker Trading Company and Tap Room. There is even an old-fashioned Coney Island where it is rumored that Elvis Presley may have eaten many years ago.
Expanding Beyond Brooksville’s City Limits
If you travel north on US 41, you can visit the historic Chinsegut Manor House at the Chinsegut Retreat Centerand rediscover the magic that caused its last private owners to name it Chinsegut, meaning, “place where lost things are found.” Learn their story of courage and civil rights for all.
Then spend the night in one of the unique cabins on the former plantation’s grounds.
*Please note that Chinsegut Hill Museum and Retreat Center are temporarily closed.
Head back south on U.S. 41 and then travel east on S.R. 50/U.S. 98. Make a right on Spring Lake Highway (541) and follow it to the top of the hill. On the left is Boyett’s Grove Citrus and Timeless Attraction. Here you will find a wonderful zoo where you can feed the animals, a dinosaur cave, aquariums, birds, snakes, alligators and more.
A putt-putt golf course winds through part of this fun-filled tourist trap. There’s even a snack bar, ice cream parlor, and an old fashioned Florida gift shop! It’s one of my favorite places in the Nature Coast.
