Introducing Brooksville:
- Located In: Hernando
- Population: 7,264 (Source: U.S. Census 2000)
- Community Type: Residential-commercial
- Size: 5 square miles
- Government: Council-manager form of government
History of Brooksville:
The Hope and Saxon families first settled the area and formed a community called Pierceville in the early 1840s. Nearby, another community – Melendez – soon emerged. Brooksville developed from a consolidation of these two communities around 1856.
Brooksville was incorporated on Oct. 13, 1880. Earliest pioneers included the Howell family, the family of Jon L. Mays, the Hale family and the Parsons family.
Things To Do In Brooksville:
Roger’s Christmas House and Village attracts thousands of visitors each year. Opened by Margaret Ghitto Rogers in the early 1970s, the idea was to open a Christmas shop in a two-story Victorian house from September through January for seasonal shoppers. Ghitto discovered, though, that the customers never stopped coming, so she never closed the doors. Today, the village features various houses depicting storybook holiday settings. Available for purchase are Christmas collectibles including items from Swarovski Crystal, Goebel, Fontanini and Department 56.
Dining In Brooksville:
- Coney Island Drive Inn, 1112 E. Jefferson St.
- Main Street Eatery, 101 N. Main St.
- Mallie Kylas Cafe, 510 E. Liberty St.
- Red Mule Pub, 1208 S. Broad St.
- Rising San Cafe, 10 S. Main St.
What Makes Brooksville Special:
Brooksville was named in honor of Representative Preston Brooks of South Carolina, who earned widespread admiration in the southern states following an 1856 incident in which he responded to an attack on his uncle, Senator A. P. Butler of South Carolina, by rapping the offending congressman on the head with his cane.
With historic homes set along cobblestone drives, Brooksville is nestled among beautiful rolling hills just 45 miles north of Tampa and 15 miles east of the Gulf of Mexico. The city has experienced continuous growth while carefully preserving its heritage and charm.
Brooksville is home to three parks, including Bud McKethan Park, Tom Varn Park and Russell Street Park. The city also maintains the Quarry Golf Course, a nine-hole, par 29, golf course; three tennis courts; the Tom Varn Stadium and the Jerome Brown Community Center.
Once a month, the city is host to a Band Shell Bash in downtown Brooksville featuring a free outdoor concerts.