1 E Jefferson Street

1 East Jefferson St – Hernando State Bank

Welcome to a cornerstone of Brooksville’s history—1 East Jefferson Street, the historic Hernando State Bank! As we stand in front of this iconic building, you’re standing where local dreams took root over a century ago. Founded on July 1, 1905, this was the very first bank in Hernando County, brought to life by community leaders like Merchant James A. Jennings, Sheriff W.E. Law, and turpentine operators L.B., G.W., and G.C. Varn, along with Aripeka Saw Mill president M.A. Amorous. With just $15,000 in starting capital, they set out to spark economic growth in a town that desperately needed a local bank to support its farmers, merchants, and growing businesses.

Picture Brooksville in 1905: horse-drawn carriages clattering down Jefferson Street, folks bustling in to deposit their earnings or secure a loan to expand their citrus groves. This building, constructed that same year, became a beacon of opportunity, symbolizing the town’s ambition to thrive. James A. Jennings served as its first President, followed by William M. McKethan. Its survival through the Great Depression truly sets it apart—it was the only local bank to weather that storm, thanks to strong leadership and deep community trust. Under presidents like William M. McKethan, who took over in 1924, and his son Alfred A. McKethan in 1943, the bank stood firm while others collapsed, offering a lifeline to residents during tough times.

The bank’s story is one of local pride. Leaders like Jim Kimbrough, who served as president from 1978 and stayed on for 50 years, and Lex Smith, who became SunTrust President in 2008, kept the bank rooted in the community even as it grew to eight branches by 1985. That year marked its acquisition by Sun Bank, later SunTrust, and by 2019, it became part of Truist Bank, which still operates here today.

Take a moment to admire the building itself—it’s a living timeline! Built in 1905, it got a fancy remodel in 1951 with marble walls that gleamed in the sunlight, reflecting the bank’s mid-century prosperity. In the early 1970s, a third story, elevator, and parking were added, modernizing it while keeping its historic charm. Back in the day, it was flanked by Rogers’ Department Store and Coogler’s Drugs—now just a parking lot to the north—but you can still feel its central role in Brooksville’s story, right across from Lykes Library and Hernando Park.

The Hernando State Bank isn’t just a building; it’s a testament to Brooksville’s grit and vision. From its founding to its Depression-era survival and beyond, it’s been a pillar of economic growth and community spirit. Let’s soak in its legacy for a moment before you move on to our next stop!

Citations

“1 E Jefferson Street.” Tour Brooksville. Accessed April 15, 2025. https://www.tourbvl.com/1-e-jefferson-street.

MAGLIO, ROCCO (May 19, 2017). "J.C. Burwell: Innovator, Publisher & Businessman". Hernando Sun.

Jump up to: "Institution History for SUNTRUST BANK, NATURE COAST (342139)". Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council.

FARRELL, JENNIFER (April 2, 2002). "Visionary Southern gentleman". Tampa Bay Times.

Business Briefs". United Press International. September 7, 1984.

1 East Jefferson St – Hernando State Bank

Welcome to a cornerstone of Brooksville’s history—1 East Jefferson Street, the historic Hernando State Bank! As we stand in front of this iconic building, you’re standing where local dreams took root over a century ago. Founded on July 1, 1905, this was the very first bank in Hernando County, brought to life by community leaders like Merchant James A. Jennings, Sheriff W.E. Law, and turpentine operators L.B., G.W., and G.C. Varn, along with Aripeka Saw Mill president M.A. Amorous. With just $15,000 in starting capital, they set out to spark economic growth in a town that desperately needed a local bank to support its farmers, merchants, and growing businesses.

Picture Brooksville in 1905: horse-drawn carriages clattering down Jefferson Street, folks bustling in to deposit their earnings or secure a loan to expand their citrus groves. This building, constructed that same year, became a beacon of opportunity, symbolizing the town’s ambition to thrive. James A. Jennings served as its first President, followed by William M. McKethan. Its survival through the Great Depression truly sets it apart—it was the only local bank to weather that storm, thanks to strong leadership and deep community trust. Under presidents like William M. McKethan, who took over in 1924, and his son Alfred A. McKethan in 1943, the bank stood firm while others collapsed, offering a lifeline to residents during tough times.

The bank’s story is one of local pride. Leaders like Jim Kimbrough, who served as president from 1978 and stayed on for 50 years, and Lex Smith, who became SunTrust President in 2008, kept the bank rooted in the community even as it grew to eight branches by 1985. That year marked its acquisition by Sun Bank, later SunTrust, and by 2019, it became part of Truist Bank, which still operates here today.

Take a moment to admire the building itself—it’s a living timeline! Built in 1905, it got a fancy remodel in 1951 with marble walls that gleamed in the sunlight, reflecting the bank’s mid-century prosperity. In the early 1970s, a third story, elevator, and parking were added, modernizing it while keeping its historic charm. Back in the day, it was flanked by Rogers’ Department Store and Coogler’s Drugs—now just a parking lot to the north—but you can still feel its central role in Brooksville’s story, right across from Lykes Library and Hernando Park.

The Hernando State Bank isn’t just a building; it’s a testament to Brooksville’s grit and vision. From its founding to its Depression-era survival and beyond, it’s been a pillar of economic growth and community spirit. Let’s soak in its legacy for a moment before you move on to our next stop!

Citations

“1 E Jefferson Street.” Tour Brooksville. Accessed April 15, 2025. https://www.tourbvl.com/1-e-jefferson-street.

MAGLIO, ROCCO (May 19, 2017). "J.C. Burwell: Innovator, Publisher & Businessman". Hernando Sun.

Jump up to: "Institution History for SUNTRUST BANK, NATURE COAST (342139)". Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council.

FARRELL, JENNIFER (April 2, 2002). "Visionary Southern gentleman". Tampa Bay Times.

Business Briefs". United Press International. September 7, 1984.

1 East Jefferson Street - Mary Alice Hale McKethan – Hernando State Bank

Mary Alice McKethan (née Hale), born around 1885 and passing in 1965, was a pivotal figure in Brooksville, Florida, whose contributions to the Hernando State Bank marked her as a trailblazer for women in finance. As a member of the prominent Hale and Ederington families, her legacy is deeply intertwined with Brooksville’s pioneer history and the growth of its economic institutions. Her role on the bank’s board of directors, alongside her family’s influence in banking, citrus, and community leadership, cemented the McKethans’ enduring impact on Hernando County.

Early Life and Family Heritage

Mary Alice Hale was born into Brooksville’s founding families, the daughter of Dorothy Ederington Hale and John J. Hale. Her parents built the grand McKethan House at 7 Orange Avenue in 1882, a symbol of the town’s prosperity, using bricks shipped from Massachusetts. Her father, John, introduced tangerines to Hernando County, earning Brooksville its “Home of the Tangerine” title, and helped establish the Brooksville Railroad Association in 1885, bringing the Florida Southern Railway to town. Her mother’s family, the Ederingtons, were tied to Chinsegut Hill (originally Mount Airy), purchased in 1851 by Colonel Francis Higgins Ederington. After the Great Freeze of 1895, trees from Chinsegut’s Snow Hill estate, linked to Mary Alice’s aunt Charlotte Ederington Snow, provided bud stock to revive Florida’s citrus industry. Growing up in the McKethan House, Mary Alice was steeped in this legacy of resilience and community-building.

Role at Hernando State Bank

Mary Alice married William McLaurin McKethan, who joined the Hernando State Bank in 1907 and served as its president from 1924 until his death in 1936. Established in 1905 by prominent residents, including former Florida Governor William Sherman Jennings, the bank was Hernando County’s first, with initial assets of $300,000, largely from citrus growers. Located at 1 East Jefferson Street, it was a cornerstone of Brooksville’s commercial hub. After William’s passing, Mary Alice served on the bank’s board of directors for many years, becoming one of the first women in Hernando County to hold such a position. Her leadership helped guide the bank through a period of growth, reflecting her capability in a male-dominated field and her commitment to her husband’s legacy.

Family and Continued Influence

Mary Alice and William had three children: Alfred A. McKethan, John “Hale” McKethan, and Dorothy Celia “Dotte” McKethan Mason, who carried forward the family’s prominence. Alfred, born in 1908, began working at the Hernando State Bank in 1923 as a high school student and became its president in 1943 at the age of 35, the youngest president of the Florida Bankers Association. In 1984, he sold the bank to SunBank, and it later became part of SunTrust (now Truist). Alfred’s influence extended to citrus, road development, and philanthropy, with landmarks like Alfred McKethan Pine Island Park named in his honor.

Dotte, born in 1911 at the McKethan House, was a community leader who founded the Junior Service League of Brooksville in the 1930s and served the First United Methodist Church for over 60 years. She preserved the McKethan House until her death in 2011 at age 100. John “Hale” McKethan, known as “Bud,” co-founded Brooksville Rock Company (later Florida Mining & Materials) and served on the SunTrust board for over 40 years. His daughter, Sarah Alice McKethan Bronson (1936–2000), married Thomas Bronson, who worked under Bud at Brooksville Rock Company, further linking the family to local business networks.

Legacy and Context

Mary Alice McKethan’s role at the Hernando State Bank was groundbreaking, highlighting her as a pioneer for women in finance. Her service on the board, following William’s death, ensured the bank’s stability and growth, supporting Brooksville’s citrus-driven economy. The bank’s original building, remodeled in 1951 with marble walls and expanded in the 1970s, stood as a testament to the family’s influence. Her descendants, particularly Alfred and Dotte, continued to shape the town through banking, philanthropy, and civic engagement, leaving a lasting legacy.

Standing at 1 East Jefferson Street today, you can almost envision Mary Alice, a steadfast matriarch, balancing family and leadership at the bank, her quiet strength echoing the pioneer spirit of her Ederington and Hale ancestors. Her contributions helped make Brooksville the thriving community it remains.

Citations

Who Were the McKethans?, Hernando Sun, January 5, 2021, https://www.hernandosun.com[](https://www.hernandosun.com/2021/01/05/who-were-mckethans/)

Alfred McKethan, Tour BVL, https://www.tourbvl.com[](https://www.tourbvl.com/alfred-mckethan)

Hernando leader Alfred A. McKethan dies, Tampa Bay Times, September 2, 2005, https://www.tampabay.com[](https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2002/04/02/hernando-leader-alfred-a-mckethan-dies/)

Sarah Alice McKethan Bronson (1936–2000), Find a Grave Memorial, https://www.findagrave.com[](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/170017279/sarah-alice-bronson)

1 East Jefferson St – Hernando State Bank

Welcome to a cornerstone of Brooksville’s history—1 East Jefferson Street, the historic Hernando State Bank! As we stand in front of this iconic building, you’re standing where local dreams took root over a century ago. Founded on July 1, 1905, this was the very first bank in Hernando County, brought to life by community leaders like Merchant James A. Jennings, Sheriff W.E. Law, and turpentine operators L.B., G.W., and G.C. Varn, along with Aripeka Saw Mill president M.A. Amorous. With just $15,000 in starting capital, they set out to spark economic growth in a town that desperately needed a local bank to support its farmers, merchants, and growing businesses.

Picture Brooksville in 1905: horse-drawn carriages clattering down Jefferson Street, folks bustling in to deposit their earnings or secure a loan to expand their citrus groves. This building, constructed that same year, became a beacon of opportunity, symbolizing the town’s ambition to thrive. James A. Jennings served as its first President, followed by William M. McKethan. Its survival through the Great Depression truly sets it apart—it was the only local bank to weather that storm, thanks to strong leadership and deep community trust. Under presidents like William M. McKethan, who took over in 1924, and his son Alfred A. McKethan in 1943, the bank stood firm while others collapsed, offering a lifeline to residents during tough times.

The bank’s story is one of local pride. Leaders like Jim Kimbrough, who served as president from 1978 and stayed on for 50 years, and Lex Smith, who became SunTrust President in 2008, kept the bank rooted in the community even as it grew to eight branches by 1985. That year marked its acquisition by Sun Bank, later SunTrust, and by 2019, it became part of Truist Bank, which still operates here today.

Take a moment to admire the building itself—it’s a living timeline! Built in 1905, it got a fancy remodel in 1951 with marble walls that gleamed in the sunlight, reflecting the bank’s mid-century prosperity. In the early 1970s, a third story, elevator, and parking were added, modernizing it while keeping its historic charm. Back in the day, it was flanked by Rogers’ Department Store and Coogler’s Drugs—now just a parking lot to the north—but you can still feel its central role in Brooksville’s story, right across from Lykes Library and Hernando Park.

The Hernando State Bank isn’t just a building; it’s a testament to Brooksville’s grit and vision. From its founding to its Depression-era survival and beyond, it’s been a pillar of economic growth and community spirit. Let’s soak in its legacy for a moment before you move on to our next stop!

Citations

“1 E Jefferson Street.” Tour Brooksville. Accessed April 15, 2025. https://www.tourbvl.com/1-e-jefferson-street.

MAGLIO, ROCCO (May 19, 2017). "J.C. Burwell: Innovator, Publisher & Businessman". Hernando Sun.

Jump up to: "Institution History for SUNTRUST BANK, NATURE COAST (342139)". Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council.

FARRELL, JENNIFER (April 2, 2002). "Visionary Southern gentleman". Tampa Bay Times.

Business Briefs". United Press International. September 7, 1984.