307 Howell Ave

The History

Like the rest of Florida, Brooksville was experiencing explosive growth during the boom years of the 1920s.  Tourists and seasonal residents needed accommodation, so a hotel was built to meet the need. Brooksville had been marketing itself as the “Home of the Tangerine” since the early 1900s, so the name  the “Tangerine Hotel” was a nod to that moniker.

The hotel had 75 guest rooms and a large dining room that became an important downtown venue. The American Legion, which had formed in 1919, did not have their own building yet and held their meetings there.  So did the Kiwanis. The first annual flower show by Brooksville Garden Club was held at the hotel in 1930.  All sorts of civic groups like the Brooksville Music Club and the Business and Professional Girls Club held banquets and conferences in the dining room as well.  The hotel also served as a site for romantic trysts for travelers - but not for locals as the community was still too small for those kinds of secrets to keep. The going rate for a bed was 40c and $1.50 for a room.  

As an example of this hotel’s prominence, allow us to share what could have been a close Royal encounter. In 1925, Mayor F.B. Coogler, First National Bank President Charles Price, and Chamber of Commerce Secretary Lena Hawkins wrote a letter to England’s convalescing King George, inviting him to recuperate in Brooksville. They put the entire Tangerine Hotel at his disposal.  

Chinsegut owner Elizabeth Robins also encouraged the offer by writing to her friend in the King’s Court, the Earl of Buxton. She attested to Brooksville’s sunny climate, it’s access to water activities and plentiful hunting. The King did respond by telegram to Mayor Coogler stating that he was already committed to a Mediterranean cruise.

Tragedy struck in 1931 when City Attorney and American Legion Commander Herbert Smithson was gunned down at the hotel entrance from a car across the street. The car took off and was never located.  Rumors abounded, even spread by the Sheriff, that Smithson had been killed for working with Federal Prohibition agents to bust bootleggers. Prohibition officials denied this, and, not having any faith in the gossiping Sheriff, asked Governor Calton to take over the investigation.  Eventually, three men were arrested, two of whom were Sheriff deputies.  However a key witness for the prosecution repeatedly failed to show up to testify and the case never went to trial.

The Great Depression devastated the hotel and it went to a bankruptcy sale in 1936. It continued to operate as a hotel for several years.

In 1983, it was purchased by Tangerine Retirement Center, renamed Tangerine Cove, and turned into an assisted living facility. It was sold in 2017 and the name changed to Noble Senior Living. When passing by, you can often see residents outside, enjoying Howell Ave and waving to passersby. Be sure to share a smile and wave back!

CITATIONS/CREDIT: 

Historic Brooksville Walking/ Driving Tour

“Tangerine Hotel, Bright Spot of Brooksville, Is Indicator of Town’s Future Development, Tampa Sunday Tribune, May 31, 1925, pg. 1

“King’s Reply to Brooksville,” Tampa Sunday Tribune, March 8, 1925, pg. 11-G

“Garden Club News,” Tampa Sunday Tribune, April 27, 1930, pg. 20

Classifieds, Tampa Daily Tribune, October 12, 1926, pg. 19

“Business Girls Call Conference,” St. Petersburg TImes, January 28, 1929, pg. 3

‘Sale of Tangerine Hotel Is Approved,” Tampa Daily Times, April 18, 1936, pg. 2