Brooksville Ave Before the Courthouse Addition

As we stand at 101 Brooksville Avenue, now home to the charming Easy Street Home Decor, let us peel back the layers of history at this site. From the elegance of a grand hotel to the hum of a mid-century auto parts store, this corner has seen it all. Join me as we explore the story of the Varnada Hotel, the Western Auto, and the evolution of this bustling spot.

Imagine Brooksville in the early 20th century, a growing town welcoming visitors with open arms. At this very location stood the Varnada Hotel, a beautiful establishment that was the pride of the community. Likely built in the late 19th or early 20th century, the hotel was a hub for travelers and locals alike, offering a place to rest, dine, and gather. Its architecture, featuring the Victorian and Classical Revival styles popular in Florida at the time, would have been a striking sight along Brooksville Avenue. But tragedy struck in April 1918, when a devastating fire reduced the Varnada to ashes, leaving only memories of its grandeur.

Fast forward to the 1950s, a time of post-war optimism and booming car culture. The site was reborn with a new building, practical and modern, designed to meet the needs of a changing town. This structure housed two anchors of mid-century commerce: a Publix supermarket and a Western Auto store. Western Auto, a popular chain known for auto parts, tools, and even bicycles, was a go-to for Brooksville’s car enthusiasts and DIY mechanics. Picture the scene: chrome bumpers gleaming in the Florida sun, locals popping into Western Auto for spark plugs or tires, while next door, shoppers filled their carts with groceries at Publix. The store’s signage,  bold and colorful in the 1950s style, would have beckoned drivers along South Brooksville Avenue.

The Western Auto wasn’t just a store; it was a reflection of America’s love affair with the automobile. Founded in 1909, the chain expanded to hundreds of locations by the 1950s, offering a wide range of products, including batteries and car radios, often under its own “Wizard” brand. In Brooksville, it served as a community hub where mechanics swapped tips and families outfitted their cars for road trips. Its neighbor, Publix, was equally significant, marking one of the supermarket chain’s early expansions in Florida, a testament to Brooksville’s growing population and economic vitality.

Over time, the site underwent further evolution. The portion of the building that housed Publix was demolished, replaced by a parking lot to serve the area’s modern needs. But the section that held Western Auto remains, its sturdy walls now home to Easy Street Home Decor, a boutique offering furniture and design inspiration. As you look at the building today, notice its mid-century lines—a flat roof and large windows, typical of 1950s commercial architecture. These features connect us to an era when this corner buzzed with the energy of a town on the move.

As we stand here, let’s reflect on the resilience of this site. From the Varnada Hotel’s elegant halls to the clatter of wrenches at Western Auto, and now the cozy charm of Easy Street Home Decor, 101 Brooksville Avenue tells a story of adaptation and community spirit. Take a moment to imagine the laughter of hotel guests, the hum of 1950s cars, and the quiet pride of a town that keeps moving forward. As we continue our tour, let’s head to the next stop, where more of Brooksville’s history awaits.

Citations

“Historic Brooksville Walking Tour Information,” provided by user, “Architectural Styles in Florida,” Florida Historical Society, accessed April 15, 2025, https://myfloridahistory.org. 

“Western Auto,” Kansas City Historical Society, https://kchistory.org. 

“1950s Commercial Architecture,” National Register of Historic Places, https://www.nps.gov/nr. 

“Publix History,” Publix Super Markets, accessed April 15, 2025, https://corporate.publix.com/about-publix/history. 

“Brooksville Historical Archives,” Hernando County Public Library, https://www.hernandocountylibrary.us. 

“Hernando County Tourism History,” Visit Florida, https://www.visitflorida.com. 

“Florida’s Suburban Boom,” University of Florida Urban Studies, https://ufdc.ufl.edu.

Brooksville has long been a place of quiet beauty and community spirit. In February 1932, it briefly stepped into the national spotlight when Babe Ruth, the greatest baseball player of his era, made a stop at the Amstutz Garage. Known as the “Sultan of Swat,” Ruth’s larger-than-life presence brought a fleeting moment of fame to Brooksville, connecting this small town to his legendary travels through Florida’s Gulf Coast. His frequent visits to nearby Aripeka for fishing further amplified the region’s allure, but it was his stop in Brooksville that left a unique mark on local history.

Ruth’s visit, though brief, was a testament to Brooksville’s place in the broader tapestry of American culture, where even a quick stop by a global icon could spark stories that endure for generations.

George Herman “Babe” Ruth was a household name in the 1920s and 1930s, celebrated for his record-breaking 714 home runs and his pivotal role with the New York Yankees. Beyond the baseball diamond, Ruth was an avid outdoorsman, often retreating to Florida’s Gulf Coast for fishing and hunting during the off-season. In February 1932, while traveling through the region, Ruth stopped in Brooksville at the Amstutz Garage for gas and oil, as reported in the Brooksville Journal on February 25, 1932. This brief visit, likely en route to or from his beloved fishing grounds in Aripeka, showcased the everyday side of a superstar.

Ruth’s more significant connection to the region was through Aripeka, a small fishing village about 20 miles from Brooksville. Throughout the 1920s and early 1930s, he frequented Aripeka, staying at the Osowaw Inn or a cabin at Uncle Pearl’s Fish Camp, where he fished with local guide Bartow Littell and played poker with boxer Jack Dempsey. A historical marker in Aripeka commemorates his visits, and local lore includes tales of him losing his World Series ring in a privy at the Osowaw Inn. These trips, often with Yankees teammates, brought attention to the area during Ruth’s peak fame, aligning with the Yankees’ spring training in nearby St. Petersburg.

Babe Ruth’s stop at the Amstutz Garage in Brooksville was a minor but memorable event, reported in the local newspaper and likely the talk of the town. At a time when Brooksville was a small community of fewer than 3,000 residents, the presence of a global sports icon was a rare thrill. The Brooksville Journal’s coverage ensured that the visit was documented, adding a touch of glamour to the town’s history. While brief, the stop reflected Ruth’s travels through Florida’s rural heartland, connecting Brooksville to his broader legacy.

Citations

“All about Aripeka.” NatureCoaster.com. https://naturecoaster.com/communities/all-about-aripeka/.

“Aripeka Florida - The Little Fishing Town You Should Visit.” Brit on the Move. https://britonthemove.com/aripeka-florida/.

“Babe Ruth Cabin at Aripeka.” Florida Memory. https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/242288.

“Babe Ruth Statue Coming to St. Pete Marking 100 Years Since First Spring Training Visit.” FOX 13 Tampa Bay, February 7, 2023. https://www.fox13news.com/news/babe-ruth-statue-coming-st-pete-marks-100-years-since-first-spring-training-visit.

“Babe Ruth’s Record Undisputed; Historical Record of His Stays in Aripeka Another Story.” Suncoast News, February 12, 2021. https://www.suncoastnews.com/news/babe-ruth-s-record-undisputed-historical-record-of-his-stays-in-aripeka-another-story/article_0377c1a2-6c22-11eb-9237-5bd009a99ff1.html.

“Guide Tells of His Time with ‘Babe’.” Herald Tribune, February 19, 2004. https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2004/02/19/guide-tells-of-his-time-with-babe/28789215007/.

“History of Aripeka, Florida.” Fivay.org. https://www.fivay.org/aripeka.html.