Hogtown was a 19th century settlement in and around what is now Westside Park in Gainesville, in the northeast corner of the intersection of NW 8th Avenue and 34th Street.  Originally a village of Seminoles who raised hogs, the habitation was dubbed "Hogtown" by nearby whites who traded with the Seminoles. In 1824, Hogtown's population numbered 14 souls. After the acquisition of Florida by the United States, white settlers began moving into the area. The 1823 Treaty of Moultrie Creek obliged the Seminoles to move to a reservation in central Florida. Under the terms of the treaty, Chief John Mico received $20 as compensation for the "improvements" the Seminoles had made in Hogtown

1855 Map of Hogtown and Gainesville

Hogtown Settlement Historical Marker: 34th Street and 8th Ave

A town site of 103.25 acres (41.78 ha) was purchased for $642.51. The County Commission ordered the public sale of lots in the town site in 1854, but no deeds were recorded until 1856. A courthouse was constructed in Gainesville in 1856, and the county seat was then officially moved from Newnansville. A jail was built in 1857, and a well was dug and a pump for public use installed the same year. Property values rose quickly. A city block on the edge of town purchased for $14.57 in 1857 sold for $100 in 1858. The railroad from Fernandina reached Gainesville in 1859, and connected to Cedar Key the next year. By that time, there were eight or nine stores and three hotels surrounding the courthouse square. The former site of Hogtown was annexed by the City of Gainesville in 1861. It was decided to name it Gainesville after General Edward Gaines, who had centered some of his operations during the Civil War in Hogtown. The first Civil War gunfire in Gainesville’s streets came on February 15, 1864, when a raiding party of 50 men from the 40th Massachusetts Cavalry entered the City to attempt the capture of two trains. The raid was unproductive, for the Federal troops were met and repulsed by the Second Florida Cavalry at what is now Main Street at University Avenue. Five days later, the main Federal force was defeated at the battle of Olustee, 50 miles to the north. A Civil War battle was fought in Gainesville on August 17, 1864, when about 300 occupying Federal Troops were attacked by Florida Cavalry under Captain J.J. Dickison, called “Florida’s most conspicuous soldier.” The Federals were driven from the City after a brisk fight and suffered severe casualties during hard pursuit, which ended in victory for the Confederate force. This marker can be found between 1st St. NE & 3rd St. NE near Gainesville City Hall.

Gainesville Masonic Temple

Bryan Hall is historically significant to the University of Florida as the first permanent home of the College of Law

Gainesville First United Methodist Church founded 1857, on 419 NE 1st St

Epworth Hall, First United Methodist Church on 419 NE 1st Street

Epworth Hall was erected in 1884 when the need for adequate classrooms in the East Florida Seminary became a pressing problem. Funds for construction of the building were raised through private donation with a scholarship promised to those patrons who gave at least one hundred dollars. The construction contract was awarded to J.O. Goodale on a low bid of $11,000. The building was completed in 1884 and served as a classroom building until the Seminary was abolished by the legislature in a 1905 act which provided for the establishment of the University and the State College for Women. In 1906, the University of Florida held its first classes in Epworth Hall. The property was purchased from the State of Florida in 1911 by the Trustees of the First United Methodist Church. It was at this time that the building was named Epworth Hall. (It had never been officially given a name). Today, Epworth Hall is all that is left of the East Florida Seminary.

Gainesville Home, bulit in 1932, 635 NE 1st St

Baird Theater then 

Baird Theater 1910

Baird Theater now

Baird Hardware 1920

Baird Home

The Phillip Miller residence was located at 426 NE First Street and was one of the show-house residences of Gainesville. Pictures of the residence and grounds appear in the City Directories of 1905 and 1908, and pictures were made for post card mailing. From the Barbara Stringfellow collection.

Phillip Miller Home: Taken from History Of Alachua County - Biographical Leading Citizens of Alachua County, Florida

Dianna Thomas Vaughn: Mr Miller was born in Lenoir County, North Carolina March 19, 1857. He came to Gainesville in 1875. He came from a distinguished family interested in law and education. He built a brick block building on the north side of the square in 1885 known as the Law Exchange Building. He operated the first exclusive wholesale and grocery business in Gainesville in 1885 and was the only business on the square at that time. His grocery business on the NE corner of the square. The Phillip Miller residence, At 426 NE 1st Street, was one of the show-house residences and of Gainesville. Pictures of the residence and grounds appear in the City Directories of 1905 and pictures were made for post-card mailing. By the tens and twenties "Miller's Cigars, Drinks, Stationery and Sundries" was in the middle of the block on the north side of the square. It was a meeting place of the young bloods in the city. Both businesses and society people congregated at Miller's. Young Swains bought candy for the date at Miller's. It was the gathering place for University of Florida students who could afford the prices.

Alachua County Clerk

Disposing of his grocery business in Gainesville, he was for a time engaged in a similar business in Jacksonville, wholesale only, and also operated a real estate business there. He later returned to Gainesville, and for 30 years conducted a stationary, office supply and soda fountain business, known as " Miller's." During his residence in Gainesville, he has borne a reputation throughout Alachua County as a man whose word was as good as his bond, and whose credit rating was of the best-selling an enviable record, and one gained only through fair dealing, honesty of purpose and the possession of characteristics of the highest type. Whenever, he has been called upon, he has given unstintedly of his time and means for the up- building of the community. He was a charter member and a active Rotarian for many years, and is a devout member of the Episcopal Church. Fraternally, he is a 32nd degree Mason and a Knight Templar. The house was located at 552 East Main North NorthEast 1st Street today across from the First Methodist Church.

 The Hotel Thomas - Gainesville

The Hotel Thomas, also known as Sunkist Villa but currently known as the Thomas Center, is an historic building in Gainesville, Florida. The building began as the private home of William Reuben Thomas, his wife Kathryn, and their five children. Thomas’ family called the classical revival-style property Sunkist Villa, and used its grounds to host social events and meetings as Thomas continued his career as an educator, banker, land developer and businessman. He was one of the supporters who helped move the University of Florida to Gainesville from Lake City in 1905. The university honored his help by dedicating its oldest building, Thomas Hall, in his name in 1906. In 1928 Thomas more than doubled the size of the home and converted it to a hotel. Hotel Thomas was designed and built to meet both the requirements of permanent residents and those of winter visitors to Gainesville and to Florida. The beautifully landscaped grounds cover a large area and are located within a few minutes walk of the business district. This beauty of setting, together with a charmingly, hospitable and homelike atmosphere, will make your stay at Hotel Thomas one to be happily remembered. P. E. THOMAS, Manager. featuring a glass-ceiling atrium, three dining rooms and four lounges for guests to socialize. During its peak years, the hotel hosted famous guests such as Helen Keller and poet Robert Frost. As the world around it changed, the hotel shifted to meet its needs, hosting officer club meetings in its basement during World War II and opening a public cocktail lounge in one of its parlors in 1963. On July 16, 1973, the building was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The Thomas Center celebrated its 100th anniversary on February 12, 2010.

Thomas Hotel - Living Room Florida Memories

Thomas Hotel - Dining Room Florida Memories

Dianna Thomas Vaughn: Found This old piece paper in my "Old Things." Has to be old because it's in bad shape and it's talking about the Thomas Hotel in the "Old Days" when it only had 100 rooms and 100 baths. It was founded, built and ran by my ancestor WR Thomas. As you can see from the back of it my Grandfather Dr Harry McCreary (HM) Merchant stayed there with my Grandmother Elizabeth Williams on their Honeymoon and they lived there for over a year while my Grandfather was the Hotels Doctor. Then my Grandfather and Grandmother moved to a 2 story brick home off of NW 22nd Ave and 7th Ave which is still standing and in good shape and has my Grandfather's name on front of the Home.Back says "One of Florida's Finest Resort Hotels. Operated Under The Personal Direction of Major WR Thomas."

Now the Gainesville Thomas Center

Epworth Hall

Hogtown 

 Early Gainesville 

McCreary's House, was built in 1890, is located at 815 East University Ave. This large Victorian house, saved from demolition in 1975 when it was moved to this site, was the family residence for Henry Hamilton McCreary. In 1879 McCreary came to Gainesville as a young journalist and became editor and publisher of the Bee. After consolidation with other newspapers, it became the Gainesville Sun which McCreary edited and pub-lished until 1917. The McCreary descendents lived here until 1974. A mixture of vernacular and Queen Anne architectural styles, the house features an unusual curving second-story bay, a Palladian window and a large front-facing gable.

Henry Hamilton McCreary: 1890. apx

Henry Hamilton McCreary: born in North Carolina and moved with his family to Cedar Key, Fl, as a young child. He came to Gainesville in 1879 and established himself in the newspaper business, editing and publishing one of Gainesville's earliest newspapers, the "Weekly Bee." The "Bee" was consolidated, along with several other newspapers, into the "Gainesville Daily Sun," which Mr. McCreary edited and published until 1917. He served several terms in the Florida State Legislature, both in the House and in the Senate. His home stands today at 815 East University Avenue. Mr. McCreary died October 12, 1921, and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery. Henry H McCreary was one of the first settlers in Gainesville. He was a highly honored journalist who owned and edited a few first Gainesvillle newspapers. One of the newspapers was "The Advocate".