The Hernando County History and Culture* (see footnote) website's origins are rooted in the content of the former Hernando County Historical Advisory Commission website. On request by the Historical Advisory Commission the Hernando County BOCC adopted Resolution 2008-118 abolishing the existence of the Historical Advisory Commission officially on May 6, 2008.
The information gathered and collected by the former HCHAC is to important to Hernando County's Genealogy and History researchers to just be left by the wayside, thus the rebirth of this website into the Hernando County History and Culture Website.
The focus will be on the various resources of Genealogy and History research for "Old Hernando County" which comprises the entirety of present Citrus Hernando and Pasco counties but may also include pertinent information from other counties as well. I will be instituting a First Families of Hernando County section in the near future. From time to time, publications may be offered for sale as they become available. As always paticipation by local hisotrians and genealogy buffs is appreciated. Donations of materials for the site remain in the ownership of the creator/author and only a license to display said material is granted HCHA.com.
In 1843 the Florida Legislature created what is now known as "Old Hernando County" from Alachua, Hillsborough and Mosquito Counties. The boundaries of which were the present Pasco/Hillsborough line to the south, and along the Withlacoochee River to the east and north, with the Gulf of Mexico serving as the western boundary. In 1887 Citrus County was carved from approximately the northern one third of "Old Hernando County" and Pas was carved from approximately the southern one third.
Today Hernando and Citrus County along with Levy County to the north of Citrus County are affectionately known as Florida's Nature Coast with some of Florida's last remaining wild coastal plains and undulating sand hills in the western half of the counties and the "highlands" and "hammocks" of the Florida Ridge Country on the eastern portions of the counties. Both are distinctly different, yet equally compelling.
The central west coast of Florida in recent years has seen a population boom with the Tampa/St. Petersburg metro areas creeping ever northward demolishing the pristine beauty nd wildlife habitat of the "Nature Coast". We are very fortunate that much of the wild coastal plains west of US 19 in Hernando, Citrus and Levy County are in the public trust as federal and state conservation areas and state forests. These are some of the last properties still in their wild native state. Our ancestors lived and worked these lands and much knowledge can be obtained from the close observation of these habitats and their inhabitants both human, critter or plant life.
This site will focus on the history and the people of this wild and beautiful country with emphasis on our pioneers and their lives.
**The Hernando County History and Culture website is owned and operated by Laverne Tornow and is affiliated with no other website or organization.