The Forgotten Street ... Old Brooksville Avenue

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, "The Forgotten Street." Thank you for keeping our history alive.

---

Thanks to the following for their contributions:

John White

Betty Snow

Adrian Bell

George Allen Jr.

---

The Old Brooksville Avenue through the years

Located between Broad and Jefferson Street, Old Brooksville Avenue no longer exists. The courthouse addition occupies the space where it was.

1885

Millinery Store

House

1891

M.R. Burns Wagons/Sheds

House

1895

Burns Wagon Shop

Printing Shop

1901

Printing Shop

Vacant building

1906

Telephone office

Printer

Jeweler

1911

Varnada Garage

Electric Light Plant

1917

Varnada Garage

Star Theatre

Printing

Brooksville Star newspaper

1924

Amstutz Ford

Restaurant

Amstutz Ford began as Hancock-Amstutz in 1923, moving from S. Broad Street where the Hogan Law Office is today. It would continue at the Brooksville Avenue location until 1973 when it moved to US 41 South. Amstutz sold the dealership in 1958. It then became Dawson Ford (1958-60), Brooks Ford (1960-1966) Herb Williams Ford (1966-70), Bill Timmons Ford (1970-73).

A rare 1907 photo of old Brooksville Avenue found in a Brooksville promotional magazine by Margaret "Weenie" Rogers years ago. The new Varnada Garage is left and a printer on the right.

The old Bell House (1908) on South Brooksville Avenue. It was renovated in 1910.

Old Brooksville Avenue (1913). The Varnada Garage, The Star Theatre and a printing business. The house to the far right across Broad Street is Cappleman's Restaurant.

January 9, 1914 ad for the Star Theatre on Old Brooksville Avenue.

Newly discovered photo of The Treiman House (1913) on Brooksville Avenue soon after it was built. Built by F.B. Coogler, a prominent attorney, it is now a special events venue owned by Karen Beasley.

thetreimanhouse.com

The Treiman House

The Treiman House was built in 1913. Known for its shady oaks, and sprawling Magnolia Trees. It's a true neoclassical beauty.

A 1915 view of Old Brooksville Avenue. On the corner where the Varnada Garage was is a machine/mechanic shop. The Star Theatre on the right features a play or movie starting Monday, January 25, 1915. The big house on Jefferson is the Brooksville Hotel.

On Sunday morning, April 28, 1918, the grand Varnada Hotel burns down. Photo was taken from old Brooksville Avenue looking toward Jefferson Street.

Amstutz Ford (1935) on Old Brooksville Avenue. It was here around 1932 that Babe Ruth stopped by for service on his car and had lunch next door.

Brooksville's first Publix opened its doors in 1950 on North Brooksville Avenue. It would serve as Brooksville's Publix until 1965, when it moved to Brook Plaza. A Western Auto store would open to the right during the early 1950s.

Night view of Dawson Ford/Mercury (1959), corner of Brooksville Avenue and Jefferson Street, looking east.

Rare photo of Cappleman's General Store (1912) on South Brooksville Avenue

The Legendary Pete's Hamburgers

The "Secret Recipe" is finally revealed!

An Old Brooksville in Photos and Stories exclusive!

A long time ago, from the 1940s through the 1960s, Pete's Hamburgers on Brooksville Avenue left their customers for years wondering what was his secret. Old timers still remember and talk about those delicious burgers.

Pete's was located on South Brooksville Avenue where the Pik'd Produce is today. I received a phone call from Betty Snow, a 1957 graduate of Hernando High. She told me a young man named Mathew Lyons delivered ground beef to Pete's from Carlton's Market down the street. Here is that "Holy Grail" recipe.

Two sleeves of Saltine crackers crumbled up into 5 pounds of ground beef. Patties were broad, outside the buns and average size, not thin. Add pepper. Cook over a sizzling grill. Served with lettuce, tomato and onion and wrapped in paper. For one pound of beef, it would be about 16 crackers. The saltines preserve the moisture of the burgers.

South Brooksville Avenue (1912). The Whitehurst House next door to the James Jennings House. It was just a dirt street back then before the bricks came around 1925.

1954 Amstutz Ford ad. The dealership was on North Brooksville Avenue which was paved over for the court house extension in 1987. The dealership moved to S. U.S. 41 in 1974 as Bill Timmons Ford/Mercury.

Looking north on Brooksville Avenue (1917). The homes on the right still stand. On the right is the Whitehurst House and center is the 1890 James Jennings home, owned by the Weipz family.

The tear down and ruins of old Brooksville Avenue between Broad and Jefferson (1987). The court house expansion terminated the street, but its memories live on.

High school girls cruising with a new 1956 convertible in front of Amstutz Motors on N. Brooksville Avenue.