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Source
State Library of Florida, WPA - Historical Records Survey, County Histories
Description
Brief history of Gilchrist County, Florida collected by the Works Progress Administration's Historical Records Survey.
Date
ca. 1939
Format
Coverage
Personal Subjects
Corporate Subjects
Subjects
Geographic Term
Note to Researchers:
Though the WPA field workers included extensive citations for the factual information contained in these county histories, it should be noted that these historical narratives were produced in the 1930s by federal government employees, and might reflect the inherent social biases of the era.
GILCHRIST COUNTY COURT HOUSES
Gilchrist County was created in 1935. Trenton was selected as the county site and the first building used as a Court House was an old two-story school building. This was destroyed by fire Nov. 19, 1932, most of the county records being saved.
The present Court House was erected in 1933 at a cost of $20,000, and was paid for in full without additional cost to the tax payers of the county. It is built of brick and is a roomy, well-proportioned building, consisting of two stories, with most of the offices on the first floor.
Title
History of Gilchrist County
Subject
Cities and towns--History
Florida--Gilchrist County
Works Progress Administration, Historical Records Survey
Description
Brief history of Gilchrist County, Florida collected by the Works Progress Administration's Historical Records Survey.
Creator
Works Progress Administration, Historical Records Survey
Source
State Library of Florida, WPA - Historical Records Survey, County Histories
Date
1939 (circa)
Format
local histories
Language
eng-US
Type
Text
Identifier
wpa_county_history_gilchrist_01
Coverage
Depression Era Florida (1926-1939)
Thumbnail
/fpc/memory/omeka_images/thumbnails/wpa_county_histories.jpg
Geographic Term
Gilchrist County (Fla.)
Trenton (Fla.)
Suwannee River (Fla.)
Bell (Fla.)
Fort Fannin (Fla.)
Yular (Fla.)
Display Date
ca. 1939
ImageID
wpa_county_history_gilchrist_01_01
wpa_county_history_gilchrist_01_02
wpa_county_history_gilchrist_01_03
wpa_county_history_gilchrist_01_04
wpa_county_history_gilchrist_01_05
wpa_county_history_gilchrist_01_06
wpa_county_history_gilchrist_01_07
wpa_county_history_gilchrist_01_08
wpa_county_history_gilchrist_01_09
wpa_county_history_gilchrist_01_10
wpa_county_history_gilchrist_01_11
Subject - Corporate
Atlantic Coast Line
Farmers' Alliance
Subject - Person
Gilchrist, Albert H
Wade, McN.
Thomas, Frazer
Fannin, A. C. W.
Chaires, McQueen
May, Dan
Stanley, John B.
Smith, William F.
Martin, Robert
Martin, Chap
Roberts, George W.
Roberts, Yular
Miller, George
Transcript
GILCHRIST COUNTY COURT HOUSES
Gilchrist County was created in 1935. Trenton was selected as the county site and the first building used as a Court House was an old two-story school building. This was destroyed by fire Nov. 19, 1932, most of the county records being saved.
The present Court House was erected in 1933 at a cost of $20,000, and was paid for in full without additional cost to the tax payers of the county. It is built of brick and is a roomy, well-proportioned building, consisting of two stories, with most of the offices on the first floor.
HISTORY OF GILCHRIST COUNTY
page 1
1. Creation. Gilchrist County was created on December 4, 1925, by an Act of the Florida Legislature, from a portion of Alachua County adjacent to the Suwannee River, between Ranges Sixteen and Seventeen. It is the newest member of the sixty-seven counties of Florida. (Laws, Chap. 11371, p. 30, Complied General Laws of Florida 1927)
The occasion of this separation from the mother county is somewhat of a standing joke among old residents of Gilchrist. They really had not wanted a new county; they were perfectly satisfied to remain a part of Alachua. What they actually did want at that particular time was a new road from the Suwannee River at Fannin to [Gainesville], the county seat. But Alachua remained obdurate. The road was not forthcoming, although the district needed it, had asked for it repeatedly, and was entitled to it on account of the high rate of taxation.
Determined to obtain their road, "by hook or by crook", a group of citizens devised a plan whereby they believed they could bluff good, old Alachua into giving them what they wanted. In other words--they could threaten to withdraw--anticipating that a threat would be all that was necessary. A committee was appointed; this committee drew up plans for a new county. Armed with this document, they delivered their ultimatum to Alachua: "Give us our new road or we will withdraw!" AND THE BIG AND WEALTHY COUNTY OF ALACHUA CALLED THEIR BLUFF. Instead of the road--they received a laugh. The unvoiced attitude of the commissioners was, in effect: "If you are so anxious to have a new county, go ahead and get a county--if you can--and see if we care! We are so big and solid, we will not even miss you."
Crestfallen--to save their faces--they had to have a county. And these progressive citizens have the spirit which it takes to make good in anything. They made good their threat. No time was lost in sending a petition to the Legislature which was then in Special Session. The bill was introduced by Dr. J. H. Colson (now deceased), State Senator from the district. After much opposition on both houses, due to the short session and the specific business for which the special meeting had been called, the bill finally passed and was signed by Governor John W. Martin. 1
2. The Name. Since watermelons of luscious quality and superior weight are produced extensively in this area, the committee had decided that "Melon County" would be an appropriate and advantageous name. However, the Legislature decided otherwise. Ex-Governor Albert H. Gilchrist was ill at the time and the name of "Gilchrist County" was adopted in his honor. (p. 7, Sixth Census of the State of Florida, 1935). 2
3. The Boundaries. Gilchrist is bounded on the north by Lafayette, Suwannee and Columbia Counties; on the east by Alachua County, on the south by levy County, and on the west by Dixie and Lafayette Counties. (p. 479, Com. Gen. Laws of Fla. 1927) The northern border line is formed by the Santa Fe River, which is tributary to the Suwannee River--the latter dividing Gilchrist from Dixie and Lafayette on the west.
4. Government. The county was authorized to begin its functions January 1, 1925, with the following county officials appointed by the Governor: James E. Willis, Clerk of Circuit Court; A. D. Firlds, Sheriff; W. J. Matthews, Judge, Mrs. Murray H. Johnson, Superintendent of Public Instruction; J. T. Jones, Tax Collector, Gordon Philpot, Tax Assessor; and John W. Jones, Supervisor of Registration. Members of the County Commission were: Frank Handley, T. J. Everett, J. O. Thomas, Dr. I. P. Philpot, and M. L. Langford. Members of the County School Board Were: R. C. Lang, Henry
page 2
Everett, and Elijah Sapp. The first official meeting of the Board of County Commissioners was on January 7, 1926, in an old school building in Trentor. (p. 1, Commissioners Minutes 1)
The county has one of the lowest millage rates in the state. There is no indebtedness with the exception of $40,000.00 in school bonds which were issued to construct new buildings. With the present income from local taxation, and from state taxes such as those in gasoline and race tracks, the county can continue its present low millage and be able to construct all necessary roads without placing an additional burden on the taxpayers. The percentage of court cases in the county is very low, and its session of court are the shortest in Florida. 3
5. County Seat. Trenton was selected as the temporary site for the court house, the [Commissioners] first renting the old two-story frame school building on Main Street. On May 7, 1926, an election was called for the purpose of selecting a permanent county site. PP. 5-7, Com. Min. 1) This election was held on October 4, 1926. After a bitterly contested campaign--which almost resulted in bloodshed over voting of negroes--Trentor won over Bell by a small majority. (p. 19, Com. Min. 1)
The permanent site for the court house was purchased from the Colson Estate. $3,446.00 was paid for this and the site for the jail.
Soon after the election, the Commissioners purchased the wooden building and lot which were being used as a court house and court yard. On the night of November 18, 1932, this building was destroyed by fire. All records were lost with the exception of those from the office of Clerk of Circuit Court, and a few from the Tax Collector's office which were in an iron safe. This serious loss occasioned quite a bit of labor and trouble to county officials, and they immediately sought to replace such records as might be restored. Fortunately, the County Judge was able to obtain from the Vital Statistics Bureau, Jacksonville, copies of records such as births, deaths, and marriages; and the Tax Assessor was able to secure copies of reports previously made to the State Comptroller in Tallahassee. 4
Smith, Holborn and Dozier, Engineers and Architects, of Jacksonville, were given a contract to direct construction of the permanent court house, their remuneration being 5% of the cost of construction. (p. 461, Com. Min. 1) Contract for construction of the new court house was awarded to H. McN. Wade, for $18, 162.00, on March 29, 1933. (476-77, Com. Min. 1) The new court house was begun in the spring of 1933 and was completed on August 2, 1933, at a cost of about $20,000.00. This was accopmplished without any additional levy of taxes. (p. 461, Com. Min. 1) This handsome, modern building is of brick construction. On April 3, 1934, work was begun on new concrete sidewalks around the court house and materials and plants were furnished by the county, while the labor was furnished and directed through FERA project. (p. 543, Com. Min. 1)
Trenton is situated in the southern part of the county, eight miles east of the Suwannee River, and beautiful Fannin Springs which is just over the line in Levy County. The town has grown steadily since 1908. It was incorporated as the "Town of Trenton" on December 12, 1908, with the following officers elected: H. F. Brooker, Mayor; O. N. Sanders, C. C. Doke, C. J. Fletcher, W. W. Smith, W. A. Lindsey, Aldermen; B. F. Williams, Clerk; L. Yauncy, Marshall. (Original manuscript of Minutes in office of Clerk Circuit Court, Trenton, Fla.) In 1911 Congress passed an Act which abolished the municipal government of the Town of Trenton in the County of Alachua, and established a municipality designed as the "City of Trenton". (Chap. 6408, Special Acts of 1911; A. F. Driskell, Mayor, Trenton, Fla.)
page 3
A private company furnished Trenton with [electric] lights from 1909 to 1929, at which time it sold its interest to the Florida Power Corporation, which provides continuous service. The city water was distributed by a privated company from about 1908 to 1937. A new water system, built through a PWA project, was installed during the spring of 1937.
Before the arrival of the railroad in 1907 mail was brought twice a week to Trenton via the Star rural route from [Gainesville]. 7
Trenton is located in an area which is unsurpassed in this section as a farming center. On other community in the entire state markets more hogs and turkeys each season. The income from hogs alone has averaged $200,000.00 a season and better. 8
6. Industries. The production of lumber and turpentine was of large and munificent proportions in the early days of the area. Dollars grew on trees--and such trees! The county was a vast forest of big pines, hardwoods, and some cedar. There are three turpentine plants now in successful operation, but all large timber has long since been cut over, with the exception of two or three large tracts owned by landholding companies. A considerable portion of the cut-over land is undergoing reforestation.
However, agriculture has always been the basic industry of the county. This embraces general farming, truck crops, live stock and poultry. The principal crops are corn, peanuts, tobacco, cotton (both long and short), watermelons, cucumbers, sugar cane, and sweet potatoes. In 1930 there were 476 farms, which contained a total of 70,447 acres, or an average of 148 acres to the farm. (15th Census of the U. S. 1930-Agriculture) There are thousands of acres, suitable for general farming, as yet undeveloped. 9
7. Natural Resources. There is an abundance of game, consisting mainly of quail, doves, ducks, turkeys and squirrels. Fishing on the Suwannee River is a sport enjoyed the year round. The Suwannee River shores and Fannin Springs have been the playgrounds of this and adjacent territory since its first occupation by man. This is evidenced by relics of [various] kinds which have been found. The waters of the spring are cold, and so crystal clear that the multi-colored bottom is plainly visible. It is set in a grove of live oaks and water oaks, and empties into the Suwannee. There are facilities at the Springs for bathing and boating.
Rich deposits of hard phosphate of the finest quality are found in the southwest portion of the county, near Tyler and Trenton. These beds contain a potential source of great wealth. Attempts were formerly made to mine the phosphate, but were discontinued on account of prohibitive freight rates. 10
Soils are sandy loams, both fine and coarse, and are very fertile.
8. Climate. Especially mild and delightful is the climate of Gilchrist. The average temperature [is] 70 degrees; the average rainfall is 49 inches. Most of the county is high, well-drained and very wholesome. 11
9. Schools. Educational facilities are on a par with the other counties of Florida. There are 7 white schools, 5 of which are elementary. The 2 high schools--one at Trenton, valued at $65,000.00, and one at Bell, valued at $45,000.00--are on the
page 4
accredited state list. The total value of real property and equipment in white schools is $125,697.00; in colored schools, $515.00. Some of the negro churches are also used for schools. In 1936 the number of supervisors, principals and teachers, was 29; the total enrollment of white students was 985; of colored, 170. A school motor bus system affords comfortable transportation to high school students from all rural areas. 12
There was formerly an old school building in Trenton known as the Trenton Academy. 13 The old wooden school building known as the Suwannee Building, was sold by the county for $85.00 on October 3, 1933. (p. 507, Com. Min. 1)
10. Churches. The citizens of the county are proud of their active social and religious life. The county is well provided with well built, comfortable churches, each having a good membership. They are 19 in number. There are 3 white and 2 colored churches in Trenton, and 2 white churches in Bell. Small, log houses were used in pioneer days for both churches and schools. These had long seats or benches, with one wide board nailed high across the back. If not comfortable, they were picturesque, to say the least. 14
11. Population. The census of the county is 1930 was 4,137, while in 1936, it was 4,174. This period shows an increase of 3.9% in the white population, with a decrease of 12.3% in the colored population. (pp. 61-63, Sixth Census of the State of Fla. 1935) This is explainable by the reduction of negro labor, and subsequent exodus, during the depression years, as a result of abnormal shrinkage in price of agricultural and timber products.
12. Roads and Transportation. The first trails through the shadowy forests were made by certain wild beasts and by Indians. Because of natural advantages, the former landing place at Fannin, we believe, was most likely used since the first strongarmed "red Skin" was smart enough to outwit the alligators enough to swim to the opposite shore or the first canoe slipped with noiseless rhythm over the sparkling waters and along the moss-hung banks of the Suwannee.
Old settlers state that at an early period a four-horse stage coach was at regular intervals transported by ferry across the river to this landing. From this point it pursued approximately the course of the present State Highway No. 19 to Old Station Point which was in northeastern Levy County, where the horses were changed. It is supposed that this state hailed from Tallahassee or Fort Marks and was possibly enroute to Tampa. Since State Highway No 19 is the dividing line near the river between Gilchrist and Levy, it seems reasonable to fancy that this was originally an Indian trail. 15
State Road No 19 proceeds from Fannin in a southeasterly direction through Levy County. State Road No. 14 begins at No. 19 a short distance east of Fannin and runs northeast to [Gainesville]. A modern motor bus system traverses these highways daily, providing luxurious and rapid transportation to all points east, south, and west.
State Road No. 77 from Trenton north to Bell, is not yet completed. This road will connect with State Road No. 52, running east and west through Live Oak, Branford and High Springs, and will complete the splendid network of transportation routes through the county. 16
The railroads were built to handle the vast amount of timber products manufactured in the region. The first railroad into the county was built in 1897 by the
page 5
Seaboard Air Line, running from Alachua in Alachua County to Wannee on the Suwannee River. This served the many sawmills, cross-tie operators, turpentine plants, and transported freight landed by steamboat from points along the river. 17
The Atlantic Coast Line, Running through Tyler, Trenton, Wilcox, and crossing the river north of Fannin, was completed in 1907. It was constructed under contract by Wade and Bell, large operators in lumber and turpentine. There are twenty-two miles of this track in the county, beside spur tracks. 18
13. Bridges. A meeting of great importance to counties, state and nation was held on November 2, 1922, at the Farmers and Merchants Bank Building in Trenton, by the County Commissioners of Alachua, Dixie, and Levy Counties, for on that day plans were approved for erection of the first bridge at Fannin, the junction of the three counties, the expense and upkeep to be borne equally by each county. This decision was reached following a generous donation by the Cummer Cypress Company of its steel bridge located at Fowler's Bluff, a point lower down the river. (p. 99, Com. Min. 1 Dixie County)
Another joint meeting of the three counties was held on December 4, 1922. Contract for $750.00 was awarded to Frazer Thomas for supervision of all preliminary work, including the perfecting of plans which would be acceptable to the War Department, and supervision of the removal of the bridge at Fowler's Bluff to Fannin, where the piling fenders and trestle work could be used in the new bridge. (p. 1101, Com. Min. 1 Dixie County) The J. A. Kidd Construction Company, of Jacksonville, was awarded the contract to build the bridge, under the supervision of Frazer Thomas, Engineer--the latter to receive 5% of the cost of construction. The approximate cost of the bridge was estimated at about $45,000.00. (pp. 112 and 125, Com. Min. 1, Dixie County)
The completed bridge was accepted by the three counties in formal meeting at Old Fort Fannin on September 27, 1923, and named, the "Three County Suwannee River Bridge". (p. 173, Com. Min. 1, Dixie County) THIS MARKS THE BEGINNING OF GENERAL MOTOR TRAFFIC ACROSS THE SUWANNEE RIVER IN THIS VICINITY.
This bridge, which was of partial wood construction, was displaced by a much wider and stronger all-steel bridge built by the State of Florida in 1935. It was officially name the "Benjamin Chaires Bridge", in honor of a prominent, pioneer settler of Dixie County. The new bridge is very beautiful, and bears at either entrance the inscription, "Way Down Upon the Suwannee River."
Plans to beautify the entrance to the bridge from the Gilchrist and Levy County side, were made at a joint meeting of the Commissions of Dixie, Levy and Gilchrist counties on March 15, 1937. This is to be done by establishing a monument and a small park. The monument is to bear the names of the preceeding Board members and Clerks of the three counties as sponsors of the Benjamin Chaires Bridge, and the names of the present Board members and Clerks as sponsors of the park. A committee was appointed to procure the necessary property and to secure the aid of the State Road Department to help beautify the plot.(a)
14. Early history. FORT FANNIN (b), on the Suwannee River was constructed about 1836 or 1837 during the Seminole War which began in 1835. The site of the old fort is indicated today only by an open area of ground, unfenced, which shows that it was cleared and occupied during an earlier period. "Its location is approximately 200 yards north of the present Highway N 19, and a short distance east of the river north of the bridge, which would place the site just in the rear of the filling station and hotel now stand facing the highway. It is believed that this
page 6
location was chosen because of the high bluff and Fannin Springs nearby. The fort was occupied some four or five years. It is known that during its occupancy thirty-one United States soldiers died in camp there. Twenty-seven of these died of disease, one was shot, two died of wounds previously received, and one was drowned. No doubt all were buried near the fort site." 19
"The fort was named in honor of Major A. C. W. Fannin, a graduate of West Point. He was born in Boston, Mass., in 1788. Soon after graduation, he was in the United States army engaged against the British. He was in Andrew Jackson's Campaign in 1818. He was commissioned Major of Artillery in 1832 on account of his gallant conduct in the Battle of Withlacoochee, December 31, 1935. Before the war ended he was transferred to the Canadian frontier and died in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 18, 1846." 19
The boat landing at Fort Fannin was used until about 1907 by steamboats which plied the Suwannee River between Branford and Cedar Key, transporting freight and passengers.
An [interesting] description of the fort is given by McQueen Chaires, of Old Town, who for over fifty years has resided just across the river: "Part of the old fort was still standing fifty years ago, for I often viewed it when I was a child. It was made out of puncheon logs, with concrete or a sandy substance between the logs, and it had high portholes. I remember there had been four great 12 x 12 foot lightwood posts, one at each corner, which later were cut off even with the ground. The timbers gradually rotted down and people burned them up for fuel. It was north of the highway, on the Gilchrist County side." 19
During the Civil War the old fort--long since abandoned--became again a center of importance. Many hundreds of bales of cotton were stored there by plantation owners in the vicinity for safe keeping, as they could not sell the cotton. This cotton was destroyed and stolen by Union raiding parties and deserters. One negro was killed while sitting on a bale of cotton. It is believed that Confederate Soldiers camped there at times. 19
An incident is told of the Steamboat Dan May, which was fired upon from Fort Fannin, supposedly by cotton thieves. Captain Dan May knocked the boards from the bottom of his boat and steered his vessel while lying in the bottom, and made his escape although his pilot house was destroyed by the shots of the marauders. His vessel was later sunk near the mouth of the Suwannee River and a small island nearby is now called, "Dan May Island". 20
About fifty years ago a negro, afoot, was carrier of the mail from Jonesville in Alachua County to Fort Fannin. 21
15. Early Settlement. One of the first settlers who came to live in the region now known as Gilchrist County, was John B. Stanley, who came about the year 1840. He bought 20,000 acres from the government. He bought slaves and cleared about 900 acres. He had two children. The son died very young. The daughter married John B. Dell of [Gainesville]. The old Dell plantation was later established from some of this land. 22
In 1870 William F. Smith (c) moved in from Levy County. He bought 1100 acres from John B. Stanley, clearing and planting about 600 acres of this just north of Trenton. He established a Christian Church by the name of "Joppa Church". He also established the Joppa Postoffice, which was located about one mile northeast of the present site of Trenton near a place where the old water mill, known as "Smith's Mill", formerly stood.
Page 7
S. B. Slaughter was the postmaster about the year 1889. This office was later transferred. [sic] to Trenton. The mail to Hoppa was brought out twice a week from [Gainesville] by a man travelling with a horse and buggy. About 1895 this was changed to daily mail, and was delivered in the same manner until the railroad was built and took over the delivery of mail. 22
WANNEE. Before the timber was cut over along the Suwannee River, there was an old settlement on the river at the Wilcox. [sic] landing. When the railroad came to Wilcox landing, the name was changed to "Wannee". Today all that is left of Wannee is a dot on the map. Long gone are the docks on the river, the sawmills, stores, saloons, and residences. The final chapter was ended when the railroad was taken up for three miles, between Wannee and Bell, in 1936. And yet this settlement served its destiny and made history during the Civil War. The last sawmill which operated there was under the management of Frank Finger, from New York. Timber was cut from both sides of the river at times. Logs cut in Lafayette were lashed together and floated across the river to the mill. Many steamboats stopped at Wilcox Landing, among them being the Thetis, Sam Pyles, Helen Durham, and Hawkinsville. Some of these boats operated until 1914. 23
(D) A ferry boat was operated for a long time across the river from Wilcox Landing to Fayettesville on the opposite side. Before the Civil War Mr. Martin, Sr., kept up the ferry. His son, Robert Martin, was in charge of the ferry during the Civil War, and was assisted by his younger brother, Chap Martin, who still [survives] and is an honored resident today of Gilchrist County. His age is 89. 23
Robert Martin was pressed into service whenever soldiers, either Confederate or Union, wished to cross the river. They crossed in small numbers at times, and forced him to serve them at any point which suited their aims. 23
This part of Florida was thick with deserters and raiding parties. An enemy accused this family of harboring deserters. Their home was burned down. Their stock was taken by the Confederates. The Martin Family, with the exception of Robert, was taken to Tallahassee and imprisoned in cabins about three or four miles from Tallahassee and were kept there for a month or so. The charge against them was not proven; they were acquitted and were released. The only way to get back home to Alachua County was to walk. Chap Martin's mother could not walk fast, so she begged her son to go ahead and leave her, but the lad would not leave his mother. Later the horses were restored to the Martin family, with the exception of one mule. 23
YULAR. George W. Roberts settled in Alachua County, a few miles from the river, around 1890. A settlement was established on his land by the Farmers' Alliance and named "Yular" after his daughter, Yular Roberts. The Farmers' Alliance constructed a cotton gin and a grist mill. There was also a sawmill. Stores gradually collected around the mills. There were two drug stores, several general stores, and the postoffice. D. C. Faircloth, Sr. was the postmaster. Freight was unloaded from the steamboats at Yular Landing. This village flourished around 1890 and 1903, but was gradually abandoned after the railroad reached Trenton. 24
BELL. Following the advent of the Seaboard Airline to Bell, this became a thriving, little village. It was incorporated in 1901. [All] business flourished for several years until the timber was depleted to such an extent that most of the population moved away and Bell was only a ghost of its former self. Its city charter was no longer used. However, there were several old settlers who believed in the farming possibilities of their section. Eventually their dreams were realized, for today this is a very prosperous community due to farming and stock raising. 25
page 8
TYLER. It is in the phosphate belt and is surrounded by a very prosperous agricultural community. It was the first town in the county to receive electric lights. 26
15. Early Settlement (cont'd) OLD DONNIE is another old settlement which is now only a memory. So also was the postoffice known as JENNINGS LAKE. It was supposed to have been named after General Jennings, and was located on Jennings Lake, which is one mile long by one-fourth mile wide.
There are three old cemetaries--one at Cherry Sink, one at Joppa, and one at Jennings Lake. These were no doubt in use during the Civil War, and perhaps earlier. Cherry Sink is just a few miles from old Fort Fannin.
16. Ferries. The Rock Bluff Ferry has operated across the river since 1912. The Fannin Ferry operated after 1924 until the first bridge was built. McCrab's Ferry has given active service to the public during recent years. Gilchrist and Dixie Counties each pay half of the expense of this free ferry. A new barge, 20 x 40 feet, is now being constructed at McCrab's Ferry to accommodate the general public. The materials are to be donated by the Putnam Lumber Company, of Shamrock.
There was formerly a ferry landing at White Bluff, about one mile south of the railroad bridge. The ferry was in charge of Joe Anderson, father of F. L. Anderson, Sheriff of Dixie County. At this point there was once an Indian mound, which contained numerous relics.
McCrab's Ferry landing was formerly known as Coon's Bluff. William Lancaster operated the ferry and had a store there about 1888. A postoffice was installed and named, "McCrab". This has been discontinued for a number of years.
[A] private ferry operated between Fayettesville (at that time in Lafayette County) to Wilcox Landing (later Wannee) in Alachua County, from 1901 to 1904. This ferry was owned by Mrs. Kate Roberts, of [Fayettesville], and was operated by her son, J. R. Roberts, who for many years has served as Tax Collector for Dixie County. This ferry saw very active service, as people were crossing at all hours. The fare charged was as follows:
$.05 for a man afoot (by boat)
.15 for a man and horse
.25 for a single team
.40 for a double buggy
.50 for a double wagon.
Merchandise was also delivered from Mrs Roberts' store by ferry to Wannee.
...........................
...........................
(a) The [Confederate] Women's Clubs of America are now sponsoring a plan for the erection of a beautiful monument on the Suwannee River in honor of Stephen C. Foster, the author of "Way Down Upon the Suwannee River". It is sincerely hoped that this project will be consummated and that the site chosen will be at Old Fort Fannin in Gilchrist County. No more fitting spot could be chosen, for apart from its natural beauty and accessibility to the public, it would perpetuate the memory of old Fort Fannin as well as that of the beloved author.
(b) Fort Fannin is located in a historical section of Florida. Some account of happenings just prior to its construction might be of interest. Alexander Arbuthnot, a British sympathizer, 70 years of age, was arrested in 1818 by order of Andrew Jackson and was taken to Suwannee. Major Fannin, for whom the fort was named, was in the court that
page 9
tried him. General E. P. Gaines, for whom Gainesville, Florida was named, was president of the court. 19
Across the river near the fort there is a tomb marking the grave of a slave trader, George Miller, who was the first known white settler on the region, and who died in 1833. This property is now owned by McQueen Chaires, Old Town, Florida. It is said that George Miller would buy or steal large numbers of slaves in Georgia and the Carolinas, and hide them in the dense woods at this location. He would later sell them to residents of the old settlements in Florida. 19 It was close to, if not at the site of the fort, that Alvar Nunez Cabaza de Vaca crossed the river in his early explorations in Florida, 1528-36. 19
(d) A son of William F. Smith carried the mail from Ellaville, near Live Oak, to a place called Munder's Point. This lad was about thirteen years old when the war ended. He made by horseback, and it took about three days to make the trip. 22
(e) Chap Martin, Trenton, Florida, receives a pension which was given him on the strength of his service on the ferry during the Civil War.
page 10
SOURCE OF INFORMATION
1. David Lang, Arch Brown, Trenton
2. " " " " "
3. David Lang, Trenton
4. " " "
5. A. F. Driskell, Mayor, Trenton
6. David Lang, Trenton; J. T. Jones, Trenton
7. Alvin W. Smith, Trenton; H. B. Hester, Agt. ACL R. R., Trenton
8. David Lang, Trenton
9. " " "
10. Harvey Matthis, Cross City; David Lang, Trenton
11. D. M. Treadwell, County Agent, Cross City
12. Report to State Comptroller, by Cleveland Moore, Supt. of Schools, Trenton
13. J. T. Jones, Trenton (First Tax Collector of Gilchrist)
14. Asa L. Harllee, Deputy Clerk of Circuit Court, Trenton
15. J. T. Jones, Trenton; L. L. Currie, Cross City
16. David Lang, Trenton
17. H. B. Hester, Agt. ACL R. R., Trenton
18. " " " " " "
19. McQueen Chaires, Old Town (source of information has been requested of Mr. Chires); H. L. Harllee, Trenton
20. L. L. Currie, Clerk Circuit Court, Cross city
21. J. T. Jones, Trenton
22. Alvin Smith, Trenton (grandson of William F. Smith)
23. Chap Martin, Trenton; Mrs Joanna Moriarty, Fletcher, Fla., J. R. Roberts, Cross City
24. Mr. Matthis, Wilcox, Fla.
25. " " " "; David Lang, Trenton; A. Harlee, Trenton
26. Harvey Matthis, Cross City; David Lang, Trenton
27. J. R. Roberts, Cross City; Mr. Matthis, Wilcox, Fla.
Chicago Manual of Style
Works Progress Administration, Historical Records Survey. History of Gilchrist County. 1939 (circa). State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. <https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/321105>, accessed 4 December 2024.
MLA
Works Progress Administration, Historical Records Survey. History of Gilchrist County. 1939 (circa). State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.<https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/321105>
AP Style Photo Citation
(State Archives of Florida/Works Progress Administration)