Florida's Nature Coast: Hernando County

Scenic river banks, cypress ponds, hammocks, rolling hills, pastures, and pine forests... diversity abounds in Hernando County on the West Coast of Florida with rolling country side to the East and coastal marshes to the West.

Established in February 27, 1843, the county encompasses 37 miles from East to West, 18 miles from North to South and contains 506 square miles or 323,700 acres bordering the Gulf of Mexico. Hernando County's population has changed dramatically over the last several decades and has changed from a sparsely populated rural area to a lively suburban environment.

There are two incorporated cities within the boundaries of Hernando County:

• Brooksville, which is also County Seat, and had an estimated population of 7,322 as of 2006, and
• Weeki Wachee, the City of Mermaids, with an estimated population of 8 (eight, this is not a mistake!) as of 2006.
• Spring Hill, while not incorporated, is the largest community in Hernando County with approximately 85,000 residents.
• Other smaller communities include Nobleton, Istachatta, Lake Lindsey, Masaryktown, Ridge Manor to the East and Aripeka, Bayport, Pine Island, and Hernando Beach to the West.

Recreational opportunities are very diverse. There are numerous recreational parks throughout the County. For the nature lover there are scenic bicycle trails through the Withlacoochee State Forest, hiking through the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, cayaking down the Weeki Wachee River, or swimming and boating in the Gulf of Mexico. Shoppers will enjoy the many opportunities in Spring Hill or the many quaint antique shops in historic Brooksville. Bird watchers will enjoy the enormous variety of birds that include eagles, blue birds, and even a flock of cherished wild parakeets to be found in Hernando Beach.

While the community of Spring Hill is relatively "new" as it developed from an influx of retirees from "up north" or winter visitors or as they are affectionately called "snow birds", the "old" city of Brooksville offers a glimpse into the history of the old South. Every year, a battle reenactment between confederate and union soldiers takes place at the Boy Scout Reserve drawing thousands of participants and visitors.

The Mural Society of Hernando County transformed many formerly gray building walls into works of art depicting various scenes from the past. The County's heritage museum, located in the May-Stringer house, offers a step back in time with over 11,000 artifacts displayed. For genealogical enthusiasts, the Russell Street Train Depot houses extensive collections and is also the headquarters for "Rails to Trails" providing biking, hiking, and horseback riding opportunities.

Bayport is the smallest community in Hernando County with less than 100 residents. Yet, before the civil war, this community was an important and thriving trade route as the only export shipping site in the county exporting goods - primarily cotton - all over the world. Today, Bayport is a favorite spot for fishing from the pier, launching boats from its boat ramp into the Gulf of Mexico, or just picnicking and enjoying a gorgeous sunset.

For the golfer, Hernando County offers numerous golf courses - public and private - and differing in difficulty and terrain sure to please everyone's style and skill level.

Hernando County is easily reached via US 41, US 98, US 19, Hwy 50, and the new Suncoast Parkway that practically delivered the County to the doorstep of all the amenities of the City of Tampa and conveniently reduced the trip to Tampa International Airport to less than an hour from anywhere in the County.

Naturally, Hernando County offers a wide diversity of real estate reflecting the county's diversity. Just see the links below for examples:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/155380/4464-Neptune-Dr-Hernando

http://activerain.com/blogsview/151697/13-16-Lola-Drive

http://activerain.com/blogsview/125526/3333-Fernleaf-Dr-Hernando

http://activerain.com/blogsview/125499/369-Rusk-Circle-Spring

http://activerain.com/blogsview/52702/Beautiful-Home-in-Timber

http://activerain.com/blogsview/156835/91-6-Tarleton-Circle

Silvia Dukes, P.A.

(352) 584-7441