The Greatest Photos - Year by Year - Part 5 - (1946 - 1960)

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 through the boom years (1946 - 1960) was one of the most innocent and joyously carefree eras in our history. America had just gone through a world war and before that the Great Depression, and now felt liberated from the stress and shackles of war. The growth of suburbia, shopping centers, drive-ins, highways, motels, real estate developments, and also tourist attractions ignited the economy. It seemed as if everyone was prosperous. We danced to rock and roll and did the mambo and watched TV every day, and the next day would be even better and all our dreams, someday, would come true. These photos capture those times in Brooksville.

---

1946

Brooksville tourist stop (1946). "You do the work and you pay for it! Fun in the sun!"During the 40s and 50s, Brooksville was known as the home of the tangerine. The county supplied the New York-Philadelphia area with more tangerines than anyone.

1947

The Tamiami Cafe (1947) was located here from 1936 to 1947, originally on the corner of Broad and Main in 1923. Later in 1947, it became known as Spencer's Tangerine Grill. Noted diners included baseball star pitcher (Hall of Fame) "Dizzy" Dean and Oscar winner, Ann Blyth

1948

Oscar winning actress Ann Blyth gets carried away during the Weeki Wachee filming of Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid (1948). Ms. Blyth won the Oscar for her role as the evil daughter in Mildred Pierce in 1945. She later dined at Brooksville's Tangerine Grill

1949

Inside the new Virginia Grill in 1949, which was located on East Broad, a popular mom and pop restaurant for breakfast and lunch until 1960

1950

The opening of the 41 Drive-In in Brooksville in 1950 was a big day and played a big part of our culture during the 50s and 60s

1951

Brooksville's first Publix (1951) changed the buying habits for many. This North Brooksville Avenue location would serve shoppers here until 1965. A Western Auto store would soon be on the right

1952

Brooksville Cab Service in 1952 was located at the corner of Broad Street and Brooksville Avenue. Across the street was the famed Pete's Hamburgers

1953

Magazines, cherry cokes and chit-chat at Murphy's Drug Store (1953). Murphy's was Brooksville's most popular teen hangout during the 50s and 60s. As part of the Jennings Building block, it originated in 1923 and was purchased by Tom Hogan in 1955, but the teens still called it Murphy's

1954

Main Street (1954) looking north from Jefferson Street

(left side) Bacon's Drugs, Hancock's 5 & 10, Weeks Hardware, A&P, Brooksville Journal office

(right side) Hernando State Bank, Florida Power, Hope's Drugs and Rogers Department Store.

McGee's Standard Oil gas station is in the distance where City Hall is today

1955

Anyone born in Brooksville or Hernando County between 1936 and 1962, most likely was born here. The Hernando County Hospital was on South Broad Street. It is now a vacant lot where antique car and motorcycle shows are held

1956

This 1956 photo best captures the ambiance of old downtown Brooksville. Directly in front of the court house on Main Street looking south

1957

The legendary "Big Daddy" Don Garlits before his drag racing record on November 10, 1957 at the Hernando County Airport. He reached 176 mph in the 1/4 mile and would break his own record there in 1958 reaching 180 mph. In March 1959 Art Arfons from Ohio would beat that record here, but Gartlits would top that a month later with 185 mph. Brooksville was now king of the hot rod world.

1958

Fond memories for many at the Brooksville Primary School seen here in 1958 on Bell Avenue. Just two years later, the new Hernando High would be built right down the street

1959

A 1959 night view of The Quality Shop, opened in 1947 by Juanita Rogers, and one of the more stylish stores in town until 1987. It was located at the corner of Broad and South Main. Later owned by the Ehlers family

1960

Down at the end of lonely street. El Motel room, Saturday Night (1960). This motel was on three major routes, US 41, 98 and Florida 50 and one of a dozen motels catering to tourists in Brooksville during that time