Local Attractions & Information

History

Gainesville was originally formed along the Florida Railroad Company's line stretching from Cedar Key to Fernandina Beach as part of a route eventually carrying cargo from New Orleans to New York. In 1854, Gainesville became the new Alachua County seat (moving from the more populated but inconveniently located Newnansville). The city is named for General Edmund P. Gaines, commander of U.S. Army troops in Florida during the Second Seminole War.

Following the civil war, the city prospered as a major citrus growing center, with direct rail access to ports on the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. However, this prosperity ended when the great freezes of 1894 and 1899 destroyed the entire crops, and citrus growing moved permanently south to the Orlando area. Other attempts to replace this lost industry included phosphate mining, turpentine production and tung oil had only moderate success.

Gainesville's fortunes took a major turn for the better, however, when the University of Florida was created by the Florida Legislature in 1905. Gainesville was chosen, beating out other cities who saw their colleges close, such as Lake City and Bartow. Fortunately, the city had the foresight to construct a modern municipal water, sewer and electric system and was able to offer these services to a new university location for free. A site was selected at a location then considered about a mile west of town. The first classes were held at Buckman Hall in the fall of 1906.

Cultural Information

Cultural facilities include the Florida Museum of Natural History, Harn Museum of Art, the Hippodrome State Theatre, Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, and The Civic Media Center. Smaller theaters include the Acrosstown Repertory Theatre (ART) and the Gainesville Community Playhouse (GCP). GCP is the oldest community theatre group in Florida, and last year christened a new theatre building.

Alachua County Activities

• Enjoy a leisurely afternoon stroll or picnic at Lake Alice on the University of Florida campus. Be sure to say 'Hi' to the UF trademark alligators who inhabit the lake!
• Visit one of Gainesville's four enchanting museums: the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art, the University Galleries and the Santa Fe Community Art Gallery.
• Tour the Matheson Historical Center--(352) 378-2280--or the Historic Thomas Center and Gardens--(352) 334-5064--in downtown Gainesville.
• Explore original Florida nature at the Devil's Millhopper State Geological Site, Paynes Prairie State Preserve, or the Morningside Nature Center.
• Wander through Main Street in High Springs, a redeveloped historic town with many antique shops, eateries, and crafters. For information call (352) 454-3120.
• Stroll along Cholokka Boulevard in historic Micanopy, browsing through the many antique stores and craft shops. For information call (352) 466-3121.
• Visit the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Historic Site in Cross Creek, historic home of the famous author of The Yearling and many other novels. For information call (352) 466-3672.
• The Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail is a 14-mile long limestone greenway which begins at Boulware Springs Park and connects Gainesville and Hawthorne. The abandoned railway bed passes through Paynes Prairie State Preserve and the Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area and is designed for use by hikers, bicyclists, horseback riders and other non-motorized users.
• Visit the Gum Root Park & Swamp Conservation Area, the newest and largest nature park in the City of Gainesville's nature park system. The conservation area is located on the corner of N.E. 27th Avenue and SR 26, just north of Newnans Lake. Open from dawn to dusk, the park is free and open to all but is not equipped with restroom facilities. Call (352) 334-2170 for information.
• Stroll through Kanapaha Botanical Gardens featuring specialized gardens full of butterflies, wildflowers, hummingbirds, rocks, carnivorous plants, palm hammocks, water lily ponds, and a sunken garden.