Instructions:
1....Print this file.
2....At its end, click on "rules" to see a copy of the trail rules, print it, and then click where indicated at the end of the 3-page rules and patch order form to get back to the list of Florida trails.
3....If you want a hand-drawn map showing the locations of all of the sites, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Steve Rajtar, 1614 Bimini Dr., Orlando, FL 32806.
4....Hike the trail and order whatever patches you like (optional).
WARNING - This trail may pass through one or more neighborhoods which, although full of history, may now be unsafe for individuals on foot, or which may make you feel unsafe there. Hikers have been approached by individuals who have asked for handouts or who have inquired (not always in a friendly manner) why the hikers are in their neighborhood. Drugs and other inappropriate items have been found by hikers in some neighborhoods. It is suggested that you drive the hike routes first to see if you will feel comfortable walking them and, if you don't think it's a good place for you walk, you might want to consider (1) traveling with a large group, (2) doing the route on bicycles, or (3) choosing another hike route. The degree of comfort will vary with the individual and with the time and season of the hike, so you need to make the determination using your best judgment. If you hike the trail, you accept all risks involved.
(Note: The street names in Alachua were formerly based on the center of Alachua, and later were renamed to correspond with others in the county. Where available, both names are given since some addresses are based on the new system, and some on the old.)
Originally called Dell's Court House, Alachua had a period of strong growth when the Savannah, Florida and Western Railway chose to bypass Newnansville. When the railroad arrived in May of 1884, much of the Newnansville population moved here. The city was incorporated on April 12, 1905.
The Creek Indians and the Spanish were the first settlers in the area, with Hernando de Soto in 1539 moving 1000 men and 350 horses passing through here on their way from Tampa Bay toward Tallahassee. At that time, there was an Indian village here with more than 200 horses.
The Spanish called this area "La Chua", based on the Indian word "chua", meaning sink. "Alachua" means "Sinkhole".
This house was built before 1880 by Mr. Downing, who owned a large part of the land which is now Alachua. In the early 1900s, it was acquired by William Oscar Reviere, who had a cotton gin. It was later the home of his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Oscar C. Reviere.
The Newnansville post office was established in 1826, and was called Dell's Post Office, named for the brothers James and Simeon Dell who first came here in 1812-14. It was renamed in 1828 after War of 1812 hero, Daniel Newnan. The Newnansville post office, with first postmaster W.L. Olmstead, in 1831 replaced the previous one operated by the Dells.
This site is on the route of the Bellamy Road, a federal road authorized by Congress in 1824 and used to carry mail from St. Augustine to Pensacola. During that same year, Alachua County was created out of the giant Duval County. Newnansville was made the county seat of Alachua County in 1828, but when Columbia County was created in 1832 this town was placed in that new county. Three years later, the county line was redrawn and Newnansville was returned to Alachua County.
By 1828, Maxey Dell built a new meeting house in this town, which also served as a church. They and the other early settlers, including the Knight, Sanchez, Burnett, Pyle and Love families, took refuge in nearby Fort Gilleland at the beginning of the Seminole Wars. At the same time, the courthouse was fortified and the town jail was made into a blockhouse. A major battle was fought in 1836 three miles to the south in the San Felasco Hammock.
In 1848, a new jail was built and soon after a new courthouse was erected. It was sold at public auction in 1857, after the town lost the county seat.
Newnansville's main products were cotton, corn and citrus. Moving the county seat to Gainesville in 1854 hurt the growth of this town, and its being bypassed by the railroad in 1884 signalled the eventual demise of Newnansville.
The cemetery includes the grave of Samuel Pyles, born on March 4, 1788. His was the oldest date of birth of any person buried in the county. Also included are the graves of members of the Dell, Pyle, Tucker and Summers families.
There is some evidence that the church located here was built in 1656, but it is more likely that construction did not begin until the end of the American Revolution.
When the Bellamy Road from Pensacola to St. Augustine was built, there were a number of branch roads serving the area. One led from Dell's through Alligator and then east to Cowford (now known as Jacksonville), and it is said to have followed Ray's Trail, an old Indian trail. The church here stood on the edge of that trail.
A new church building was erected in 1865. It included a stairway, gallery, and a ballister railing separating the males from the females attending services. In 1897, the congregation transferred to a new church in Alachua.
This church was founded in 1878, and its present sanctuary was rebuilt here in 1965.
This building is the home of Goins Lodge No. 94 A.F.&A.M., which received its charter in 1952.
This building was erected in 1898, making this the earliest brick store in Alachua. It housed a jewelry store in the 1920s, a restaurant in the 1930s, and later a clothing store owned by David F. Bush.
Before the building here was a movie theater, it was a dry cleaning establishment.
During the 1920s, this building was the I.S. and Oliver Futch Furniture Store. At the alley during that decade was H.N. Harris' grocery store.
This bank was organized in October of 1907 with Dr. J.C. Bishop as its first president. The other buildings on this section of Main St. were built in the early 1900s, and were the heart of the town's commercial activities.
In the early 1900s, this was the drug store of Charles A. Williams. The next buildings south housed Mrs. Fugate's Cafe and the two-story Stringfellow building with the town's telephone office on the second floor.
This two-story building was erected by Leroy Pierce, and at one time housed D.S. Water's dry goods store. During the 1920s, the next building was a grocery store owned by Mr. Fugate. Next door to that was J.E. Harrison's seed and feed store.
This home was built on Main St. before 1900 for merchant Charles A. Williams, and moved to this lot in 1908. Later, it was acquired by pharmacist Dr. Rufus Joiner. In 1961, it became the home of Mr. and Mrs. D. Ray Harrison.
Furniture dealer Oliver Futch built this home in the early 1900s. After he died, Mrs. Futch married merchant C.F. Stephens. Later, the house was acquired by the Gary Rickles family.
Simeon D. Dell served as Alachua's postmaster from 1905 to 1913 and from 1922 to 1934, and lived in this house. During the 1930s, it was purchased by George Dansby, and his son, H. Scott Dansby, later acquired it.
Furman Williams built this bank in 1904, the first in Alachua. It closed in 1931 and W.T. Roberts used the building as a funeral home. Later tenants have included a variety of businesses. The building was completely renovated in 1997.
This house was built by J.T. Mizell prior to 1904. It still has its original acetylene gas lighting system. Frazier Stephens acquired it in about 1918, and it was later owned by George Stevens.
This two-story house was built by merchant Leroy Pierce in 1898. Later, it was the home of Dr. James Bishop, who for years was the only physician in town. It was acquired by M.F. Eddy, who owned a grocery store to the south on Main St., and then by Mr. and Mrs. Kelley.
Furman E. Williams built this home with the three-story tower and fish scale shingles. He served as postmaster of the town from 1897 until 1907, and was a founder of the Bank of Alachua. The property passed to a nephew, H.N. LeRoy, and was later owned by a daughter, Blanche LeRoy.
This house was built in about 1900 and was owned by W.H. Sealey, who had a dry goods store one block to the south. Later, the house belonged to J. and W. Rothseidon.
This club was organized in 1912, with a major objective of improving the schools. Early meetings were conducted in the members' homes until this clubhouse was built in the 1930s. It was constructed of native stone with W.P.A. labor.
This was built after 1900 as a cigar factory, then in the 1920s it was remodeled as a hotel. Later, it was owned by Elden and Sue Colvin.
This was M.F. Eddy's Grocery Store. Next door was W.H. Sealey's dry goods store and a millinery shop.
This was built as a farmers' cooperative with a walk-in vault, and was used as a garage during the 1920s. It later became Wayne Tanner's Alachua Feed Store, with the Masonic Lodge using the second floor for meetings.
This congregation organized on September 17, 1897, and early services were held in the schoolhouse. The first sanctuary was built here in 1902. Later, the wooden structure was sold to the Presbyterians and a new yellow brick church was erected here. The present church building was constructed in 1973.
This church was organized during 1907 and for about ten years met in the members' homes. They bought the old wooden Baptist church building and moved it to this location. The present sanctuary was built in 1952, and there have been several subsequent additions.
Local builder and developer E.N. Bell built this two-story farm house in about 1920. Later, it was restored and owned by Sally Rist.
This church was first established at the Dell house in Newnansville, and its first sanctuary was built there. After Alachua became more prominent than Newnansville, the congregation moved here and in 1898 built a white frame church. It and the parsonage were destroyed by fire in 1910. Temporarily, they used the Baptist church, and in 1913 this red brick church with nine ornamental opalescent windows was completed. This church claims the honor of being the oldest Methodist church in Florida.
James Harrison built this house during the early 1900s. He also owned a farm supply store on Main St. Later, the house was acquired by Mrs. C.T. Johnson. It was later converted to a law office.
This home was built in the 1920s for Earl D. Traxler, an officer of the First National Bank. Later, it was owned by Gunter Hirsch.
This congregation was organized in 1906 by Rev. G.G. McIntire. The present sanctuary is the result of rebuilding in 1946.
The first church building for this congregation was erected in 1882. The present one was rebuilt in 1968, and the adjacent William M. Ferguson Education Building was completed in 1978.
Alachua County: A Sesquicentennial Tribute, by John B. Opdyke (The Alachua County Historical Commission 1974)
Alachua County, Florida Historical Tour Series: Alachua, Hague, High Springs, La Crosse, Santa Fe, Bellamy Road & Traxler, by Alachua County Historical Commission (1984)
Florida Historic Stained Glass Survey: Sites of Historic Windows in Public Facilities in the State of Florida, by Robert O. Jones (Florida Members of the Stained Glass Association of America 1995)
Florida Historical Markers & Sites, by Floyd E. Boone (Gulf Publishing Company 1988)
Florida's History Through Its Places: Properties in the National Register of Historic Places, by Morton D. Winsberg (Florida State University 1988)
Jottings and Echoes Related to Newnansville: One of Florida's Earliest Settlements of Alachua and Columbia Counties, by Esther Bernice Howell Haworth (Storter Printing Company, Inc. 1975)
History of Alachua County 1824-1969, by Jess G. Davis (Alachua County Historical Commission 1969)
History of Gainesville, Florida with Biographical Sketches of Families, by Jess G. Davis (1966)
Memories of Fort McCoy, by Faye Perry Melton (Typeworld Printing & Typesetting 1987)
The Pioneer Churches of Florida, by The Daughters of the American Revolution (The Mickler House 1976)
Wish You Were Here: A Grand Tour of Early Florida Via Old Post Cards, by Hampton Dunn (Byron Kennedy and Company 1981)