Jonesville, Florida facts for kids

Jonesville is a community located in Alachua County, Florida. It is not a city with its own government. Instead, "Jonesville" is a common name for an area along Newberry Road. This area is found between the cities of Gainesville and Newberry.

It can be tricky to say exactly where Jonesville begins and ends. Its eastern edge is near 122nd Street. The other boundaries are not as clear. Jonesville might stretch west to 170th Street. Its northern and southern edges are roughly NW 39th Avenue and SW 8th Avenue.

How Jonesville Got Its Name

Jonesville is named after a man named John Joseph Jones. He was a young farmer from Alabama. John Joseph Jones moved to this area in the early 1850s. He owned a farm on the south side of the old Newnansville Road.

During the American Civil War, John Jones joined the army. He started as a private and later became a first lieutenant. He served in a group called the Alachua Rangers. This group later became part of the 7th Florida Volunteer Infantry.

After the war, he went back to farming. In 1875, a post office opened in Jonesville. John Jones became the first postmaster. This is how the community officially got the name "Jonesville."

Growing Community

Over the last 40 years, Jonesville has grown a lot. The nearby city of Gainesville has expanded. Many people have moved west to Jonesville, looking for less crowded places to live. As more people have moved here, Jonesville has also seen more shops, restaurants, and homes being built.

New Shops and Businesses

Many new businesses have opened in Jonesville, especially since 2010. You can find new shops in and around the Steeple Chase shopping plaza. Large new shopping areas have been built, like the Town of Tioga development and the Arbor Greens center. As more people move to Jonesville, even more businesses are expected to open. There are plans to build more shops and offices near Newberry Road and NW 140th Terrace. The Town of Tioga also plans to expand its business areas.

New Homes and Neighborhoods

Many new neighborhoods have appeared in Jonesville over the past ten years. Some older neighborhoods were built starting in the 1970s. These include Villages of West End, West End Golf View Estates, and Jockey Club.

More recent and larger neighborhoods include Amelia Fields, Town of Tioga, Arbor Greens, Turnberry Lake, Belmont, Strawberry Fields, and Wyndsong. You can also find apartments and condos in the Jonesville area.

Local Services and Parks

Jonesville is mainly served by Florida State Road 26, Alachua County Road 241, and SW 8th Avenue. These roads help people travel in and out of the community.

Jonesville Park

The Jonesville Park is a great place for local residents to enjoy outdoor activities. It has baseball fields, a mile-long walking track, and a disc golf course. You can also find tennis courts and soccer fields there. The park plans to add even more features in the future. These include a nature center, an event lawn, a BMX track, and nature trails. There will also be picnic areas, an amphitheater, and a recreation center. The recreation center will have a gym, a weight room, and other multi-purpose rooms.

Fire Rescue Station

Alachua County Fire Rescue Station 24 is located just north of Jonesville Park. It is on County Road 241. This station helps keep the local area safe. Firefighters from this station can also be sent to help in other areas if needed. A new fire station was built in 2011. The old station is no longer used.