Department of Medicine
Visit Gainesville
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Gainesville, Florida
The area of North Florida now known as Alachua County was explored by the Spanish as early as the 1500s and was formerly deeded in 1817 by the king of Spain
to Don Fernando de la Mata Arredondo and Sons, merchants of Havana, Cuba. The Arrredondo Grant took as its center point a Seminole village called "Alachua," meaning "jug" - probably a reference to the huge sinkhole located in nearby Paynes Prairie. Two years later, it became a territory of the United States by treaty with Spain, and the Arredondo Grant was voided. By the time Gainesville was established in 1854, Alachua County had witnessed the beginning of the second Seminole War, when the Seminole Indians, who considered the region to be their own, resisted settlement. Gainesville, named in honor of General Edmund Gaines, a Seminole War hero, began as a community of just 250 men and women. A series of freezes in the late 1800s ended Gainesville's brief tenure as a citrus capital, but in 1853 the city saw the first manifestation of its future path with the establishment of the University of Florida. The university has since that time been a strong influence on the city's development into a thriving educational, cultural and retail center. Gainesville is always highly ranked as an ideal place to live by "Money Magazine". Cost-of-living compares very favorably to most university cities.
Location
Gainesville, seat of Alachua County, Florida is located on the North central plain of the state, 50 miles east of the Gulf of Mexico, 60 miles west of the Atlantic Ocean and 70 miles south of the Georgia border.
Area and Altitude
Alachua County - 965 Square miles; Gainesville, - 35 square miles; average elevation - 75 feet above sea level.
Climate
Mean annual temperature - 71 degrees F., average rainfall - 54.65 inches; growing season 255 days.
Education
In addition to the University of Florida, which is the oldest and the largest university in the State, Gainesville, is the home of the Santa Fe Community College, which serves over 22,000 students in its college-level and extensive community education programs. The students in Alachua County's public school system, which includes 18 elementary schools, seven middle schools and six high schools, rank in the top 25 percent of the nation in comprehensive test scores. There are also nine private schools and four special schools in Alachua County. High school students may take vocational courses through Santa Fe Community College.
Health and Medical
The Gainesville area is served by four major hospitals - the Veterans Affair Medical Center, Shands at Alachua General Hospital, North Florida Regional Medical Center, and Shands Hospital at the University of Florida - whose continuing emphasis on high-quality care and research provides a level of medical attention unsurpassed in the State. Four nursing homes and more than 1,000 - physicians, surgeons and dentists enhance Gainesville's health-care environment.
Churches
Religion plays a major role in life in Gainesville with over 121 churches representing every major religion while the University of Florida campus has seven student chapels and religious centers.
Gainesville lies in the center of Florida's world famous tourist attractions with many in a 100 mile radius; Silver Springs, Florida Wild Waters, Stephen Foster Memorial, Marineland, St. Augustine, Disney World/EPCOT/MGM Studios, Sea World, Universal Studios, Daytona Museum of Arts and Sciences, Daytona Speed Way, Ocala National Forest, Weeki Wachee Springs, and Juniper Springs. Additionally, there are a number of small towns well known for antique, arts & crafts, and curio shops within a 30-mile radius of Gainesville. One of these towns, Micanopy, founded in 1821, is believed to be the oldest inland town in Florida and is named for Chief Micanopy of the Seminole Nation. It is also the site where the film "Doc Hollywood," starring Michael J. Fox, was filmed in 1990.
Twenty-seven parks and recreation areas in Gainesville are available for citizen recreation. Within 50 miles of Gainesville there are more than 40 nature parks offering camping, picnicking, swimming, fishing, boating, tubing, and hiking. There are five 18-hole golf courses within 20 minutes of downtown Gainesville.
Micanopy
Eleven miles south of Gainesville, Micanopy founded in 1821, is believed to be the oldest inland town in Florida and is named for Chief Micanopy of the Seminole Nation. A Timucua Indian village of the Potanto tribe was located near the area now known as Micanopy when the early Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto led his expedition through the area in 1539. Botanist William Bartram visited Cuscawilla village nearby in 1774. The first permanent white settlement in what is now Alachua County, called Wanton, was started in 1821. Wanton Post Office was established in 1826; the name was changed to Micanopy in 1834. Fort Micanopy, also called Fort Defiance, stood near here during the Second Seminole War. Several skirmishes were fought nearby. The town was incorporated September 15, 1858. Today Micanopy features many antique, arts and crafts, and curio shops. It is also the site where the film "Doc Hollywood," starring Michael J. Fox, was filmed in 1990.
Transportation
Three major highways serve Gainesville: Interstate 75, U.S. 301 and U.S. 441. Currently two major airlines, Delta Airlines and US Air, service Gainesville with approximately 12 inbound and outbound commercial passenger flights per day. Gainesville Regional Airport, located in the northeast quarter of the city, is the principal commercial airport for a nine-county area. Interviewees also traveling to other training programs within Florida frequently find flying into Tampa, Orlando, or Jacksonville and travel to Gainesville via rental car more economical than direct flight in and out of Gainesville. Gainesville Regional Airport also supports private and charter flights. Contact the Gainesville Regional Airport at 352.373.0249 for additional information.