Evinston, Florida facts for kids

Evinston Community Store and Post Office, also known as the Wood & Swink

Where Evinston, Florida is located on the map

Evinston is a small, quiet community in Florida, United States. It's not officially a city or town, but a special kind of place called an unincorporated community. Evinston is unique because it's located across two different counties: Alachua County and Marion County.

The part of Evinston in Alachua County is near the bigger city of Gainesville. The part in Marion County is closer to Ocala.

Where is Evinston Located?

Evinston is found in northern Florida. It sits right on the western side of a large body of water called Orange Lake.

Getting Around Evinston

You can reach Evinston by driving on U.S. Highway 441. This highway connects the community to Gainesville, which is just a few miles north. Another road that goes through Evinston is County Road 225.

A Look at Evinston's History

Evinston has a long and interesting past. It was once part of a large land grant from 1817 called the Arredondo Grant.

How Evinston Got Its Name

In 1884, a train station for the Florida Southern Railroad was built here. This station was named "Evinston." Around the same time, a general store and post office were also built. The post office itself had actually started two years earlier, in 1882.

Orange Groves and a Big Freeze

For many years, growing oranges was a very important activity in Evinston. People grew a lot of oranges until the 1890s. However, a very cold winter in 1895 brought a big freeze. This freeze sadly ended the orange growing business in the area.

A Historic Landmark

Today, Evinston is home to a special place listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. This is the Evinston Community Store and Post Office. It's a reminder of the community's past.