Alachua

Ocala, Florida

Weather: low 76 degrees, high 98 degrees, partly cloudy skies, scattered showers

Over the years, we have made many trips via I-75 by the little towns of Alachua and High Springs. Just about every time we passed through there, we would say that we needed to take the time to explore those little towns. Today, we finally took the time to find out what Alachua and High Springs are about.

Alachua is in Alachua County, and the town is named after an Indian word meaning "sink" or "sink hole". The town was incorporated in 1905, and has a population of about 7500 people. Many of the people who live there work in Gainesville, but it appeared to us that the town was starting to develop several office and industrial parks. The old historical part of town has been developed to look like it did many years ago, and draws a lot of people to the area to walk the streets and tour the little shops. Scattered throughout the town are old Victorian style houses that have been repaired and updated. Alachua looks like a quiet little town that's starting to grow, but is still a good place to call home and raise a family.

After leaving Alachua, we drove a few miles west to the smaller town of High Springs. This little town has a population of about 3600 people, and also has an older downtown area that draws people to eat and shop. The town was settled as a result of phosphate mines and the railroad, and was incorporated in 1892. There was a lot of traffic in town when we were there today, and we finally figured out that was because of the natural springs that abound in the area. I think jumping into the cold water of one of those springs would have felt good today, with the temperature being 98 degrees when we were there.

While driving around in High Springs, I discovered their old train depot. Since I couldn't find an old court house to take pictures of, the train depot took it's place.



So, today we took a closer look at some places we've been wanting to. Let's see what tomorrow brings.

More later, be safe.

Today's Town - Alachua, Florida: The Good Life Community

Not all who wander are lost.