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The Ghosts of Jefferson Street

  • Writer: Old Brooksville
    Old Brooksville
  • Jul 29, 2025
  • 3 min read

Updated: Feb 10


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.
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 100 years of the changes, bringing back many memories.



Thanks to the following for their contributions


John White

George Allen Jr.

Hernando Historical Society

Lou Charity



A local taxi awaits a visitor at the Varnada Hotel (1914) on Jefferson Street. Notice the barber pole near the front door.
A local taxi awaits a visitor at the Varnada Hotel (1914) on Jefferson Street. Notice the barber pole near the front door.
A bird's eye view of Jefferson Street (1915). The Varnada Hotel is on the left, Southern Hotel on the right. Between the hotels is N. Brooksville Avenue. The David Sasser law firm building is where the Southern Hotel was.
A bird's eye view of Jefferson Street (1915). The Varnada Hotel is on the left, Southern Hotel on the right. Between the hotels is N. Brooksville Avenue. The David Sasser law firm building is where the Southern Hotel was.
Rare photo looking east on Jefferson Street (1917) near downtown.
Rare photo looking east on Jefferson Street (1917) near downtown.
Recently discovered 1917 photo of E. Jefferson Street looking toward downtown. This picture was taken across the street from where the old Turner Funeral Home was. At the top of the hill on the right you see the Brooksville and the Varnada hotels. Center top is the court house. This rare photo was unidentified until recently.
Recently discovered 1917 photo of E. Jefferson Street looking toward downtown. This picture was taken across the street from where the old Turner Funeral Home was. At the top of the hill on the right you see the Brooksville and the Varnada hotels. Center top is the court house. This rare photo was unidentified until recently.


1965 Brooksville City Directory list of all businesses and structures along Jefferson Street




















The Garnett Funeral Home and Ambulance Service (1929) at 320 W. Jefferson Street. Later on during the 50's and 60's the building was known as City Cleaners. As one drove over the bridge on Broad (US 41) you could see three color rings identifying the cleaners. It was directly across from the street from today's Charlie's Plumbing. It was torn down during the 1970's.
The Garnett Funeral Home and Ambulance Service (1929) at 320 W. Jefferson Street. Later on during the 50's and 60's the building was known as City Cleaners. As one drove over the bridge on Broad (US 41) you could see three color rings identifying the cleaners. It was directly across from the street from today's Charlie's Plumbing. It was torn down during the 1970's.
Brooksville Train Depot (1929) off West Jefferson Street. This is a rare view from Ft. Dade Avenue.
Brooksville Train Depot (1929) off West Jefferson Street. This is a rare view from Ft. Dade Avenue.
Dean's Cottages (1938), a popular cottage resort from the early 30's through the 50's on West Jefferson Street across the street from near Charlie's Plumbing today.
Dean's Cottages (1938), a popular cottage resort from the early 30's through the 50's on West Jefferson Street across the street from near Charlie's Plumbing today.

Woman walking in front of Hernando State Bank (1940) on the corner of Jefferson and Main.
Woman walking in front of Hernando State Bank (1940) on the corner of Jefferson and Main.
The original First Baptist Church building on Jefferson Street (1958). Originally built in 1907, it had gone through many changes over the years. In the early 1970's, the Baptist Church moved to Howell Avenue.
The original First Baptist Church building on Jefferson Street (1958). Originally built in 1907, it had gone through many changes over the years. In the early 1970's, the Baptist Church moved to Howell Avenue.

Florida Power building on West Jefferson was built in 1959 and served Brooksville until the early 21st century. It is now a law firm.
Florida Power building on West Jefferson was built in 1959 and served Brooksville until the early 21st century. It is now a law firm.
Jefferson Street 1959 looking east from Brooksville Avenue. To the right is Dawson Ford/Mercury. To the left is Western Auto and down the hill (right) is the Ice Plant, Sheriff's Department, and El Motel.
Jefferson Street 1959 looking east from Brooksville Avenue. To the right is Dawson Ford/Mercury. To the left is Western Auto and down the hill (right) is the Ice Plant, Sheriff's Department, and El Motel.
A new gas station opens on West Jefferson Street (1963) at the corner of Ponce de Leon. The Pure gas station was owned by James Patrick. It would later become a Mad Hatter Muffler, a car stereo center and is currently the popular T&L Appliance Center.
A new gas station opens on West Jefferson Street (1963) at the corner of Ponce de Leon. The Pure gas station was owned by James Patrick. It would later become a Mad Hatter Muffler, a car stereo center and is currently the popular T&L Appliance Center.
Corner of Jefferson Street and Main (1977). Otto's was a top clothing store with locations in Dade City and Tampa as well as Brooksville. The bank on the right was the Hernando State Bank, there since 1905 and now known as Truist Bank. The corner location of Otto's has been Main Street Eatery since the 1990's.
Corner of Jefferson Street and Main (1977). Otto's was a top clothing store with locations in Dade City and Tampa as well as Brooksville. The bank on the right was the Hernando State Bank, there since 1905 and now known as Truist Bank. The corner location of Otto's has been Main Street Eatery since the 1990's.
The Rainbow Roller Rink (1990). School kids remember those fun Friday and Saturday nights from the 1980's until 2018. It was located west of town on Jefferson. Parents remember the noise!
The Rainbow Roller Rink (1990). School kids remember those fun Friday and Saturday nights from the 1980's until 2018. It was located west of town on Jefferson. Parents remember the noise!
Looking west toward downtown on Jefferson from Bell Avenue (1958). The American Legion Hall is the big white building facing Ft. Dade Avenue.
Looking west toward downtown on Jefferson from Bell Avenue (1958). The American Legion Hall is the big white building facing Ft. Dade Avenue.
Home of the hits! Hilburn's Record Shop (1957) on West Jefferson was the place for all the hit records during the 50's and 60's. The popular teen hangout was also a radio/TV service/dealerand would make house calls on sick TV's. Located near where Charlie's Plumbing is today.
Home of the hits! Hilburn's Record Shop (1957) on West Jefferson was the place for all the hit records during the 50's and 60's. The popular teen hangout was also a radio/TV service/dealerand would make house calls on sick TV's. Located near where Charlie's Plumbing is today.
Gateway Furniture (1973) on West Jefferson Street was at this location as far back as the 50's and later moved to south Highway 41. Now the souvenir/gift shop for Cracker Kitchen Restaurant.
Gateway Furniture (1973) on West Jefferson Street was at this location as far back as the 50's and later moved to south Highway 41. Now the souvenir/gift shop for Cracker Kitchen Restaurant.

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