A Guide to Historic Gainesville - Paperback

by Steve Rajtar (Author)

Your guide to the people, places and events that made Gainesville the thriving city and educational center it is today. Gainesville, Florida, was established in the early 1850s in an area of Alachua County known for cotton farming, cattle and citrus. It soon became known for education, with many fine private schools. The arrival of the railroads made it a crossroads town that grew to be the state s fourth-largest city. The arrival in 1906 of what became the University of Florida gave Gainesville the major state-supported institution of higher education, and thereafter the city and the university were inextricably entwined. The city has grown to be a comfortable place to live, and the university is now one of the largest in the nation, with an international reputation for academics and sports.Local historian and UF Law School graduate Steve Rajtar leads you through the decades with words and pictures. An A-to-Z street guide is included to help you explore the historic homes, churches and other sites of historic Gainesville on your own.

Author Biography

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Steve Rajtar came to Florida for college and decided to stay. The combination of a love of the outdoors and local history led him to establish of over 150 historical tour routes through the communities of Central Florida, which can be used by anyone to get up close and personal with the region's historic sites. He has written several books on various aspects of hiking and history and loves to guide tours by foot, bicycle and kayak.