The Timuquan Indians were the early inhabitants of the North Central Florida area now known as Gainesville. They eventually abandoned the area to be replaced by the Seminoles. William Bartram came through the area in April of 1774. Markers can be found throughout the area to show where is Trail went through Alachua County. He wrote in his book, Travels, about Alachua Prairie (now Paynes Prairie and settlements in Micanopy). He described the sink the native Americans called "La Chua" which is translated to mean big jug. The Alachua sink is located on the northern border of Paynes Prairie.

In 1817, Gainesville and North Florida was part of a land grant to Don Fernando de la Mata Arredondo from the Spanish Crown. The wealthy merchant and most of the Spanish activity focused around cattle farming in and around Paynes Prairie.

The earliest town in Alachua County was created in 1824 and called Newnansville. When the cross Florida railroad bypassed Newnansville and was located further south, the town of Gainesville was established. It was named for General Edmund P. Gaines considered a hero during the Seminole Indian wars. The railroad connected the shipping port of Fernandina with Cedar Key. Florida became a state in 1845. Gainesville became the county seat of Alachua County in 1854.

Many believe that Gainesville came from a settlement named Hogtown, but that Indian village was located in present day Northwest Park, on the Hogtown Creek. The City of Gainesville would later annex the area and include what was Hogtown Creek into the city borders.

On January 6, 1853, Florida Governor Thomas Brown signs the bill that provided public support to higher education. East Florida Seminary in Ocala is one of the first schools to use this funding, but it soon closes due the Civil War. In 1860 the City of Gainesville had reached a population of 269 and included a general store and three hotels. The Civil War erupted and dampened the growth of Gainesville. In 1866, East Florida Seminary reopens in Gainesville. This was the start of what would become the University of Florida.

Gainesville was incorporated in 1869 on April 14th. At the time the largest industry was cotton. In 1882 the population of Gainesville had almost reached 2000. In the 1890's lumber and phosphate were a significant part of the economy. Gas became available in 1887, a public water system in 1891, telephone and electricity arrived in the late 1890's and a sewer system in 1907. Gainesville was the fifth largest city in Florida and had a population approaching 5,000 in the 1900's.

Early neighborhoods included the Highlands and Duck Pond neighborhoods in Northeast Gainesville, as well as the Pleasant Street area in Northwest Gainesville.  

Gainesville lobbies for the new University of Florida by offering land, money and an agreement to "furnish water to the University without charge." When the telegraph office in Gainesville announces the good news to the waiting crowd, a noisy celebration begins with ringing church bells, a parade and exploding firecrackers. The Gainesville campus opens for registration on Sept. 24, 1906. Classes begin two days later for the 102 students enrolled.

The first two decades of the new century brought Alachua County's agricultural based economy troubled times as the boll weevil blighted the cotton crops, and World War I brought an end to the phosphate industry. Still one of the most significant events in the history of the County occurred in 1905 when Gainesville was chosen as the site for the University of Florida. When the University opened a year later it had only 102 students, fifteen faculty and two unfinished buildings. Twenty years later the student body numbered 2000 and attended classes in thirteen Gothic-style buildings including a library, a gymnasium and an auditorium. By the 1930s the University had become the most important staple in the County's economy and helped it weather both the land boom collapse of the mid-1920s and the long depression of the 1930s.

As John J. Tigert begins his presidency, Florida comes under hard times. The Mediterranean fruit fly cripples the state's citrus production and the deadliest hurricane to ever hit Florida destroys what was left of the state's economy. Then, a year later, the Great Depression begins with the collapse of the stock market. The economy does not recover until America enters World War II in 1941.

Florida experiences a huge population boom after World War II. Because of its mild climate, Florida was used to train troops for battle. By the time the war is over, Florida has an excellent transportation system for residents and visitors. Many high-tech industries relocate to Florida, most notably the Space Program. The exploding population of the state carries over into its universities. The University of Florida goes from being a school of 5,000 white males to a diverse student body of more than 28,000 men and women.

For 25 years, the University of Florida diversifies and expands into one of the top universities in the nation. UF is a leading public research university situated in what Money magazine calls "the best place to live" in the United States. With a focus on excellence in research, teaching, technology and athletics, the University of Florida will certainly remain a leader in higher education.

Today, the largest employer in Gainesville and Alachua County, the University of Florida and Shands continue to influence the area. Gainesville has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Florida. We were able to weather the housing market crash better than most areas of the state. The strong outlook for a bright future for the University of Florida shows promising areas of smart growth for Gainesville including biotechnology, innovative agriculture and spinoffs from campus research.