1112 E Jefferson Street

Elvis Presley: Brooksville’s Brush with the King

In the summer of 1961, Brooksville experienced a moment of stardom that would echo through its history. Elvis Presley, the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” was at the peak of his fame, captivating audiences worldwide with his music and films. While filming Follow That Dream in nearby Yankeetown, Elvis made a memorable stop in Brooksville, leaving an indelible mark on the community. His visit to the Coney Island Drive-Inn and nearby Weeki Wachee Springs brought national attention to this small town, transforming it into a point of pride for locals and a destination for fans.

Brooksville was an unlikely stage for a global icon. Yet Elvis’s casual engagement with the town—grabbing a hot dog and meeting fans—showcased his down-to-earth charm, putting Brooksville in the national spotlight and cementing its place in the legend of the King.

In 1961, Elvis Presley was filming Follow That Dream, a lighthearted comedy set in Florida’s backroads, in Yankeetown, about 50 miles from Brooksville. During a break from shooting, he ventured into Brooksville, stopping at the Coney Island Drive-Inn, a local eatery that had opened just a year earlier on July 7, 1960. There, he ordered one of their Famous Footlong hot dogs, a simple act that would become a cornerstone of local lore. The restaurant, housed in a former boat manufacturing building, now celebrates this visit with an “Elvis Corner” featuring a life-size figure, photos, and memorabilia, proudly proclaiming “Eat Where Elvis Ate!”

On July 30, 1961, Elvis also visited nearby Weeki Wachee Springs, a short drive from Brooksville, to watch the iconic mermaid show. His arrival drew approximately 3,000 fans, who camped out to catch a glimpse of the star. Images and video footage from the event show Elvis interacting with the mermaids and greeting the crowd, a testament to his immense popularity. These visits, tied to his time filming in the region, highlighted Brooksville’s proximity to unique Florida attractions and brought a surge of excitement to the area.

Elvis’s visit to Brooksville was more than a celebrity sighting—it was a cultural event that resonated far beyond Hernando County. At the height of his fame, Elvis was a global phenomenon, and his presence in a town of fewer than 5,000 residents was a rare honor. The Coney Island Drive-Inn became a pilgrimage site for Elvis fans, with its Elvis corner and monthly Elvis tribute shows keeping his legacy alive. The restaurant’s super stretch limousine, emblazoned with “Eat Where Elvis Ate!”, is a rolling advertisement of Brooksville’s brush with fame.

The Weeki Wachee Springs visit amplified the region’s visibility, as media coverage and fan accounts spread the story of Elvis’s day out in Florida’s Nature Coast. The 3,000 fans who gathered underscored his star power, and the event remains a cherished memory, with local efforts to uncover more footage preserving its significance. Together, these stops put Brooksville on the map as a place where even the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll could enjoy a moment of small-town life.

Citations

“12 Awesome Things to Do in Brooksville, Florida.” The Global Wanderess. https://www.theglobalwanderess.com/12-things-to-do-in-brooksville-florida/.

“Coney Island Drive-Inn - About.” Coney Island Drive-Inn. https://www.famousfootlongs.com/about/.

“Eat Where Elvis Ate!” Wacky Explorer. https://www.wackyexplorer.com/eat-where-elvis-ate/.

“Elvis Ate Here.” Roadside America. https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/70437.

“Elvis Presley Visited Weeki Wachee Springs on July 30, 1961.” WFLA News, July 30, 2021. https://www.wfla.com/news/local-news/elvis-presley-visited-weeki-wachee-springs-on-july-30-1961/.

“Spotlight on 7 Ties Elvis Presley Had to Florida + Two Bonuses.” Authentic Florida. https://authenticflorida.com/elvis-florida/.