Brooksville, Florida (FL) Waterfront Real Estate, Homes, Lots, Communities and Property

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Ideally located in the geographic center of Florida, Brooksville is the county seat of Hernando County. The town is 45 miles north of downtown Tampa, 50 miles west of Orlando, 100 miles south of the Ocala/Gainesville areas and just 15 miles east of the Gulf of Mexico in the rolling hills of the Florida peninsula. With an estimated population of just over 8,000, this residential-commercial community is experiencing continuous growth while preserving original charm. For those who call Brooksville home, the town has maintained a modern infrastructure that includes 3 hospitals, a community college, and a thriving commercial district with 11 shopping centers and restored historic district, modern library and regional airport. Brooksville offers residents a coastal, relaxed hometown atmosphere and is the perfect “not too close, not too far away, “ hideout from the larger regional cities.

Originally known as Melendez and the capital of Benton County, Brooksville has been the county seat for over 100 years after the county was renamed Hernando. The area was first settled when Fort DeSoto was established in 1840 on the northeastern edge of the city as a way to protect settlers from the Indians. The fort was also a trading post and regular way station on the Concord Stage Coach Line that ran from Palatka to Tampa. In the late 1840s, two communities, Pierceville and Melendez, sprang up shifting development to the Southern area in search of water. Brooksville was chartered in 1856 from the consolidation of the communities and was officially incorporated October 13, 1880. The city was named in honor of Representative Preston Brooks of South Carolina, a staunch antebellum state’s rights advocate and popular southern figure. With completion of the Southern Railroad and the Orange Belt Route in the 1880’s, Hernando County became a more desirable location and once the railways merged into the Plant System Railroad that connected the west coast of Florida, Hernando County and its towns thrived.

Culturally, Brooksville is a center of southern history and modern arts appreciation. There are a multitude of antebellum home tours and Civil War Museums. The re-enactment of the Civil War “Brooksville Raid of 1864,” is extremely popular with tourists and townspeople alike, keeping history alive. The City Hall Art Gallery rivals the best galleries anywhere in Florida while the Hernando Symphony is renowned statewide. The Stage West Community Playhouse provides citizens the most current, popular plays. For those that enjoy a day of shopping, several major department stores are found throughout the area and downtown Brooksville is a very popular destination for antiquing and unique eateries. Also, the famous Rogers Christmas House Village features decorated turn-of-the century homes offering thousands of holiday ornaments, decorations, etc.

Hernando County is in the heart of the Sunshine State’s renowned Nature Coast, naturally bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the west and swamps and state forests to the North which covers nine countries and 980,000 acres. The area is also a sanctuary to 10 endangered species. In Brooksville, residents enjoy 3 city parks with walking trails, organized sports fields including a 9-hole golf course and picnicking facilities. Golfers have dozens of public, private resorts and country clubs which all utilize the natural beauty of the countryside. There are 2 Tom Fazio-designed championship courses that challenge golfers using the quarry pits, bunkers, water-reach fairways and natural habitat fairways generated by the layout of the land. Naturalists enjoy Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, the county’s most famous attraction with its underwater entertainment including live mermaids. Visitors also take the endangered manatee tour and can scuba dive. Withlacoochee State Trail is a greenways and trails gem. From the Ridge Manor Trailhead, the trail enters the State Forest and Croom Wildlife Management Area. Paved trails pass through a section of cypress swamp that provides habitat for deer, gators, raccoons and wild turkey. It is at the Chinsegut Nature Center that Hernando’s eco-friendly attitude and abundance of natural attractions is showcased. For those that enjoy the active outdoors lifestyle, one can float down the quiet Weeki Wachee River to the Gulf of Mexico; swim and sunbathe on the white sandy beach at Pine Island; hike the miles of tree-canopied trails; canoe and kayak along the many waterways and fish for prize winning trophies. With lakes, parks and wildlife, the county lives up to its title, “Naturally Hernando” and to the John Muir quote about the area, “a string of counties studded with emerald-like gulf waters, deep springs and rivers, stretching along the same Florida coast.” Thus, Brooksville is the ideal location for anyone seeking real estate in an area that cherishes both its past history and natural resources while accommodating residents demand for quality living.