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