The Greatest Photos - Year by Year - Part 6 (1961 - 1975)

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.

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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 Hospital opened in 1962 and served county residents for 40 years. So many memories and so many toiled here during its existence.

1963

"Five minutes before the BIG hour of 5 o'clock on WWJB." Young Steve Manuel spins the latest hits on Brooksville's WWJB. The station originally signed on in 1958 and is still on the air as AM 1450 - The Boot. Kudos for their help during emergencies and various fundraisers over the years.

1963 Brooksville Sun-Journal ad. Althought the Corvair was a sporty and cool looking, Ralph Nader's book "Unsafe at Any Speed" sealed its doom.

1964

Don Knotts receives an Honorary Citizen Award (1964) at Weeki Wachee from Seminole Chief Billy Osceola and Miss Florida. Knotts filmed "The Incredible Mr. Limpet" at the attraction. Knotts was most famous as Deputy Barney Fife on the Andy Griffith Show.

1965

Beatlemania brought about garage bands all across the U.S. Brooksville had two bands that toured the state.

The Cavemen played from St. Pete to Gainesville in 1965-66.

The Cavemen (left to right)

Frankie Springstead, rhythm guitar

Alonzo Merritt, drums

Pete Shingleton, bass/singer

Bob Martinez, lead guitar/singer

The Rituals played many dates in the state.

The Rituals (left to right)

Danny Spencer

Neddy Atkinson

Charles Scott

Ron Skolnik

"Hey Scully, come take a look at this"

John Reeves in front of his replica space ship (1965) which he claimed landed on his property about 8 miles west of Brooksville. He would later claim a few more visits including taking a trip to the dark side of the Moon, years before Pink Floyd. Reeves was investigated by the U.S. Government. A tin-like paper left behind by the Martians claims to have exploded.

1966

The grand opening of Brook Plaza early in 1966 was the start of a mass exodus from downtown. Just earlier, Hernando Plaza opened across the street. By the 1970s, many more businesses sprang up in other shopping centers like South Plaza and K-Mart Plaza.

1967

Hernando High State Baseball Champions - Class B - 1967

1968

The A&W was Brooksville's first fast food franchise opening in 1966. By 1968, it was the most popular cruisin' spot in the county and also a great supporter of local high school fund raisers as well. It was the place to be seen at a time when folks knew you or judged you by the car or truck you drove. Folks still talk about the frosted root beers in a mug along with their burgers. Curb service was the best.

1969

Sheriff Sim Lowman lights his pipe (1969) in front of the old Sheriff's Office on E. Jefferson Street. Lowman served as Sheriff from 1949 to 1970.

1970

Hard to believe that the first restaurant in Brooksville to feature pizza was the opening of Luigi's Pizza in 1970. Now in its 50th year, it carries on a Brooksville tradition of hometown service, where they know you on a first-name basis. Still owned and operated by the Kirshy family.

1971

Joe Weeks stands in front of Weeks Hardware Store in 1971. Weeks Hardware was Hernando County's oldest retail store, in business since 1916. During its long history, Weeks also sold radios, televisions and appliances as well as hardware.

1972

Weeki Wachee has long drawn tourists from all over the world. Here is Bert Cook in 1972 from England posing with the girl of his dreams.

1973

One year after it began, Spring Hill's outrageous Chicken Plucking Tournament was the talk of the nation, as a spokeslady for the event was invited to appear on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show. It put Spring Hill on the map. The politically incorrect Chicken Leg Contest where ladies with bags over their heads showed their legs, would not fly today.

1974

Brooksville's Maulty Moore, defensive end for The Miami Dolphins rushes in to hit legendary quarterback Fran Tarkenton of the Minnesota Vikings during the 1974 Super Bowl. The Dolphins won their second straight Super Bowl 24-7. The year before Moore, who graduated from Brookville's Moton High, played on the only undefeated team in NFL history, the 1972 Dolphins in the 1973 Super Bowl. Moore had two Super Bowl rings. Tarkenton, from Georgia, was a pro since 1961 and is in the Hall of Fame.

1974 ad for Bill Timmons Ford

It was around 1974 that the Ford dealership in Brooksville moved from their North Brooksville Avenue location after more than 50 years, to U.S. 41 South where the Ford dealer is today.

1975

By 1975, the face of downtown had changed. Otto's was a small clothing chain with stores in Dade City and Tampa. This was the corner of Main & Jefferson. Today the Main Street Eatery is where Otto's was. To the right is Hernando State Bank.