Brooksville now proudly boasts both an official fruit and flower following a decision by the city council on June 3. The tangerine and the Brooksville bellflower were given this honor after a compelling presentation by Dawn Triconi, the executive director of Brooksville Main Street.
“The city of Brooksville has a rich history with tangerines,” Triconi stated. “Brooksville’s unique topography meant better conditions for the fruit and by the early 1900s, the Brooksville fruit was in demand around the country and earned the highest prices in the industry.”
The tangerine’s historical significance to Brooksville was further highlighted by Alfred McKethan, a prominent local leader, who recalled that his uncle, Daniel Hale, dubbed Brooksville as the “Home of the Tangerine.” The fruit gained national attention in 1926 when local grower H.B. Schulte sent a box of tangerines to President Calvin Coolidge.
Despite pest infestations and freezes in the 1930s and 1950s, along with a shift towards orange juice production, the tangerine has remained a symbol of Brooksville’s agricultural heritage. In 2001, business owner Wayne Vutech established the Tangerine Time New Year’s Eve celebration, featuring a 6-foot, 200-pound glowing tangerine to mark the countdown to midnight. More tangerine-themed events are planned for the fall and spring of the coming year.
The Brooksville bellflower, an annual herb with deep purple, bell-shaped flowers, also earned recognition. It is known to grow only in three sites in Brooksville: two ponds and Chinsegut Hill. Due to residential and commercial development, this flower is considered endangered.
“The bellflower is a beautiful flower that has a rich history in symbolism,” Triconi said. “In some cultures, it’s considered the flower of luck, happiness, new beginnings, and hope.”
In other council news, Chinsegut Hill Retreat manager Christie Williams reported that the retreat has generated $65,000 in revenue this year. Williams emphasized the retreat’s potential, describing it as a place for rest and rejuvenation. The council has until June 2025 to decide on the future direction for the property.
Additionally, the council reviewed a Good Faith Estimate of taxable values, totaling $700 million, excluding $20 million of net new construction. Design guidelines for historic structures were also discussed, with input requested by June 14.
Emergency Ordinance 980 was approved, limiting wastewater permits to prevent exceeding the current plant’s capacity. This ordinance will be followed by a permanent moratorium statute to manage the allocation of wastewater permits effectively.
“This will be followed by a permanent moratorium statute, which will expand on the temporary moratorium and recommend managing the 20 percent per year allocation,” explained David Hainley, Brooksville’s community development director. “It will codify our discussions and ensure we don’t halt development due to wastewater allocation issues.”