Old School

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.

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Thanks to the following for their contributions

John White

Hernando High School

George Allen Jr.

Lou Charity

Stories by Robert Martinez

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Ft. Taylor School (1883) was one of six African American schools in the county. This school was south of Brooksville past where Camper's Holiday is now.

Lake Lindsey School (1890). During the 1800s and 1890s there were at least 40 small schools like this throughout the county. It was a lot more cost efficient to have a small school in a small hamlet than transporting students to Brooksville.

The Twin Lakes School (1892) was a citrus and working class community just north of Pasco County and south of Spring Lake in Hernando County from 1884 to 1895.

An 1898 souvenir from Public School No. 12 in Lake Lindsey, just north of Brooksville. The students are listed on the right.

1852 (old) Springhill School

The first school in Hernando County (1852) called the Springhill School was located where West Ft. Dade Avenue is today just past Citrus Way where the big curve is, about four miles west of town.

Hernando High 1897 Grades 1-12

Hernando High classes in 1898. The school opened in 1889 and served the county until 1910.

November 30, 1905 Spring Lake School

Our Cover, 1909 Spring Lake School faculty and students. The schoolhouse was built in 1889 on an acre donated by Frank Saxon. Before that, classes were held at the old Methodist Church just northwest of the cemetery.

1909 Lake Lindsey School students and teacher

1910 Hammock School

The new Hernando High School in 1910. Although a nice new brick structure, it was already obsolete and overcrowded by 1914, and unfortunately burned down in 1918. In early 1920, a new high school was built on Howell Avenue. Between 1918 and 1920, high school classes were held at the court house. Other classes were held at various buildings and churches.

The very first sports team in Hernando County (1914), the Hernando Leopard track team. (L to R) Jesse Smith, Raymond Pearson, Clarence Law, Frank Grozier and Ernest Rutledge. Pearson would go on to run the 100 yard dash in the state finals.

Hernando High School in 1922 on Howell Avenue

1922 Hernando High Girl's Basketball Team

Includes: Mary Snow, Lula Hope, Leah Chalker, Laura Zipperer, Ernestine Show, Liddie Lawhon and Marguerite Clark

The brand new Hernando High as it opened October 1925 on Bell Avenue. It served as a high school until early 1960.

Photo taken by the famed Burgert Brothers of Tampa

1925 Hernando High School

1930 Spring Lake School

1936-1937 Hernando High Girls Basketball Team

(l to r) Dr. Hall (Coach), Louise Patterson, Mamie Underwood, Glenda Prini, Mary Melton, Mildred Sadlin, Helen Hawkins, Edna Long, Patsy Kinear, Margerite Gusink, Marian Shepard, Cleo Hart, Doris Menges, Elsie Springstead, Roberta Gant

1939 Spring Lake Class

1939 Class Names

Hernando High Girls Basketball Team (1939)

1956 Spring Lake Elementary School Grades 5-6

Brooksville Boomers will remember the Brooksville Primary School (1957) down near the bottom of the hill on Bell Avenue. Our innocent years!

The new Hernando High opened March 1960 replacing the old school which operated from 1925 until 1960 on Bell Avenue. A new gym would soon be added behind the school. The school is still in operation today.

1963 Hernando High Track Team

Front: Robert Draper, Bob Martinez, Barry Stewart, Donnie Brown, Lynn Thompson

Center: Bruce Snow, Freddy Varn, Alex Herrera, Mike McCormick, Charles Coles, Fred Blackburn

Back: L. Varn (Manager) Jack Coppedge, Victor Lord, B. Wardlow, John Townsend, Tim Harrington, Duane Mountain, Coach Hubbard

Fred Blackburn would receive a scholarship to the University of Miami as a miler

1964-65 Hernando High basketball team won 22 games in a row to win the West Coast Conference Championship, but lost in the state semifinals.

Back row: Coach Joe Pribil, Pete Shingleton, Robert Young, Tom Darby, Bill Lane, Joe Fletcher, Bobby Chorvat, Danny Cimbora

Bottom row: Dennis Fields, James Meade, Frank Vohun and Ronny Key

1971 Hernando High Letterman's Club

Top (L to R): F. Hudson, R. Inman, Z. Williams, C. Del Castillo, J. Lowman, J. Bray, J. Smith, R. Maxir, B. Bell, Coach P. Sullivan

Center (L to R): C. Burns, B. Cardos, J. Manor, W. Moore, L. Wright, Pres. D. Wallin, J. Chorvat, N. Paff, D. Wilson

Bottom (L to R): W. Burns, J. Pruitt, R. Bolesta

1984 Hernando High Girl's Tennis Team reached new heights!

(L to R) Diane Gorbett, Cindy Shepard, Jaime Lavender, Valerie Curren, DeeDee Spangler, Kim Wollam, Kathy Kimbrough and Kristi Spangler