Rochelle, Florida facts for kids
Rochelle is a small, unincorporated community in Alachua County, Florida, United States. An unincorporated community is a place that doesn't have its own local government, like a city or town. It was started in the 1830s on land that was once a Native American settlement. The community grew around a large farm, or plantation, owned by Madison Starke Perry.
The Story of Rochelle
Rochelle was once an important stop on the Florida Southern Railway. This was a train line that connected Rochelle to other towns like Gainesville, Ocala, and Palatka. At first, the community was called Perry or Perry Junction.
In 1881, its name changed to Gruelle. This was to honor N. R. Gruelle, who was a top manager for the Florida Southern Railway. But just three years later, in 1884, the name changed again. It became Rochelle, which was the maiden name of Governor Perry's wife. A governor is the leader of a state.
Back in 1883, Rochelle was a busy little place. It had a hotel, a few stores, and a sawmill for cutting wood. There was also an express-office, which was like a post office. By 1884, about 150 people lived there.
Growing citrus fruits, like oranges, became very important in the area. By 1885, Rochelle had two sawmills, two churches, and two schools. One school, called the Rochelle School or Martha Perry Institute, was for white children. There was also a separate school for Black children. The town had about two dozen houses.
However, a very cold period called the Great Freeze happened in 1894 and 1895. This freeze destroyed the citrus farms in the area. After this, the town of Rochelle started to shrink. The Rochelle School closed its doors in 1935.
Today, not much is left of the old town. You can still see the old schoolhouse and a few other buildings. The 16-mile Hawthorne Trail now runs where the old railroad tracks used to be. It's a popular path for walking and biking.
Where is Rochelle?
Rochelle is located at coordinates 29.59639 degrees North and -82.21778 degrees West. These numbers help pinpoint its exact spot on a map.
