Timeline of Gainesville, Florida facts for kids

The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Gainesville, Florida, USA.

Prior to 20th century

Quick facts for kids History of Florida
The seal of Florida reflects the state's Native American ancestry
Historical Periods
Pre-history	until 1497
Spanish Rule	1513–1763
British Rule	1763–1783
Spanish Rule	1783–1821
U.S. Territorial Period	1822–1845
Statehood	1845–present
Major Events
American Revolutionary War	1775–1783
War of 1812	1811–1814
First Seminole War	1817–1818
Capitol moved to Tallahassee	1824
Second Seminole War	1835–1842
Constitutional convention	1838
Third Seminole War	1855–1858
Ordinance of Secession	1861
Civil War	1861–1865
3rd Constitution	1865
Reconstruction	1865–1868
4th Constitution	1868
5th Constitution	1885
Great Migration	1910–1930
Land Boom	1925–1929
6th Constitution	1968
Gore v. Harris 2000 Presidential Election	2000
Timeline

• 1830 - Hog Town established.
• 1853 - Hog Town renamed "Gainesville" after U.S. military officer Edmund P. Gaines.
• 1854 - Seat of Alachua County relocated to Gainesville from Newnansville.
• 1856 - School built.
• 1858 - Gainesville Academy founded.
• 1859 - Florida Railroad begins operating.
• 1860 - Population: 269.
• 1864
  • February 14–15: "Gainesville occupied by Union forces and skirmish fought."
  • August 17: Battle of Gainesville fought; Confederates win.
• 1865 - New Era newspaper begins publication.
• 1866 - Union Academy opens.
• 1867 - East Florida Seminary relocated to Gainesville from Ocala.
• 1869 - Town of Gainesville incorporated.
• 1884
  • Fire.
  • City of Alachua established in vicinity of Gainesville.
• 1886 - Fire.
• 1890
  • Daily Sun newspaper in publication.
  • Population: 2,790.
• 1891 - "Public water system" begins operating.

20th century

• 1900
  • Gainesville High School building constructed.
  • Population: 3,633.
• 1901 - William Reuben Thomas becomes mayor.
• 1906 - University of the State of Florida relocated to Gainesville from Lake City.
• 1907 - Gainesville becomes a city.
• 1910
  • Thomas residence built.
  • Population: 6,183.
• 1912 - University's Florida Alligator newspaper begins publication.
• 1917 - Florida State Museum established.
• 1918 - Gordon Tison becomes mayor.
• 1925 - "Tung oil production begins."
• 1928 - Hotel Thomas in business.
• 1930 - Population: 10,465.
• 1935 - Airport built.
• 1940 - Population: 13,757.
• 1950
  • Gainesville Drive-In cinema in business.
  • Population: 26,861.
• 1958 - WUFT (TV) begins broadcasting.
• 1960 - Population: 29,701.
• 1966
  • Santa Fe Community College established.
  • White Theatre (cinema) in business.
• 1967 - Alachua County Historical Society founded.
• 1970 - Population: 64,510.
• 1972 - Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo and Historic Gainesville Inc. established.
• 1974 - Thomas Center established.
• 1975 - Alachua County Courthouse built.
• 1980 - Population: 81,371.
• 1981 - WUFT-FM radio begins broadcasting.
• 1988 - Florida Museum of Natural History active.
• 1989 - Matheson Historical Center established.
• 1993 - Corrine Brown becomes U.S. representative for Florida's 3rd congressional district; Karen Thurman becomes U.S. representative for Florida's 5th congressional district.
• 1994 - Matheson Museum opens.

21st century

• 2000 - Population: 95,447.
• 2004 - Pegeen Hanrahan becomes mayor.
• 2010
  • Craig Lowe becomes mayor.
  • Population: 124,354.
• 2013 - Ed Braddy becomes mayor.
• 2016 - Lauren Poe becomes mayor.