Gainesville in Alachua County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

City of Gainesville

By Mike Stroud, June 29, 2012

1. City of Gainesville Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Designated the County Seat in 1854, and incorporated as a City in 1869, Gainesville takes its name from General Edmund Gaines, captor of Aaron Burr and commander of U.S. Army troops in Florida during the Second Seminole War. The town was the fourth Alachua County Seat of government. The University of Florida and its educational predecessors have been located in Gainesville since the 1850's.

Erected 1969 by Florida Board of Parks and Historic Memorials. (Marker Number F-163.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 29° 39.145′ N, 82° 19.389′ W. Marker is in Gainesville, Florida, in Alachua County. Marker can be reached from E. University Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Located between 1st Street NE & 3rd Street NE at Municipal Bldg., southside plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 E University Avenue, Gainesville FL 32601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. East Florida Seminary (a few steps from this marker); First Gainesville Skirmish / Battle of Gainesville

City of Gainesville Marker at the Municipal Building's southside plaza image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, June 29, 2012

2. City of Gainesville Marker at the Municipal Building's southside plaza

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(a few steps from this marker); Spanish Cattle Ranching (within shouting distance of this marker); Alachula County Courthouse (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Gainesville Servicemen's Center / Thelma Boltin Center (approx. 0.2 miles away); Josiah T. Walls (approx. 0.2 miles away); Roper Park / Old City Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Matheson House (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gainesville.

Also see . . . City Of Gainesville, Florida...A Historical Summary. ...Spain had a difficult time controlling the vast territory of Florida, and, unable to stop the influx of American settlers, finally ceded the area to the United States in 1821. Originally part of the Arredondo Grant, Alachua County was created in 1824 as a massive county, extending from the Georgia border to Tampa Bay. Constant partitioning and the Second Seminole War slowed the County's development, but the coming of the Florida Railroad opened up the interior for both settlement and trading. ... (Submitted on August 7, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

City of Gainesville Marker, 200 E. University Avenue image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, June 29, 2012

3. City of Gainesville Marker, 200 E. University Avenue

The city's namesake: General Edmund Pendleton Gaines image. Click for full size.

National Archives. Copy found at the Alachua County Library site - by Mathew Brady, circa 1830

4. The city's namesake: General Edmund Pendleton Gaines

Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 682 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 7, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.