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Cities of North Central Florida is a Community of
Diversity
As if the soothing Gulf breezes, phenomenal natural
beauty and award-winning status aren't enough to attract
you to North Central Florida, homes for sale in this
area definitely will.
Click the Town Name above for more information!
Newberry
Just outside Gainesville, Florida, homes for sale in
Newberry boast the lowest tax rates in the county.
Ownership of many local utilities allows Newberry to
reduce expenses for residents. Newberry is well
positioned both geographically and economically to take
advantage of Alachua County's westward growth.
Infrastructure and equipment owned by the City of
Newberry allows residents to receive city water and
sewer, cable TV, electric power, and regular garbage
pickup. The cost of the city services is among the
lowest in Alachua County because the city is debt-free.
Alachua County's school system is generally recognized
as one of the top systems in the state and Newberry can
further boast that it is one of the few places in
Alachua County with true neighborhood schools. The
elementary, middle and high schools are all located
within one mile of downtown Newberry.
Newbery Website
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to Top~ High Springs
Oozing small-town charm! High Springs is a painted
landscape of tree-lined streets, crystal clear springs,
historic buildings and quaint shops. The springs and
rivers here give excellent opportunities for diving,
swimming, fishing and other water sports. The people of
High Springs welcome you to experience the charm of our
small town. Voted the "Friendliest Small Town" in
Florida, High Springs beckons you to discover History,
Adventure, Recreation and Family Fun! Located in
beautiful north Florida halfway between Gainesville and
Lake City, our area offers delights for the nature
lover, sportsman, and historian. Canoe our pristine
rivers, dive or splash into a crystal clear spring, shop
till you find that item you never thought you would
find, or just relax with an ice cream and admire one of
our many historic buildings. Stroll our tree-lined
streets and stop to enjoy our fine eateries, browse to
your heart's content through our antique, specialty and
gift shops. At the end of the day soothe yourself in our
Spas then rest in one of our cozy Bed & Breakfast or
Country Inns.
High Springs Website
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to Top~ Alachua
Even though the look and feel of Alachua is distinctly
"small town 1950s," this three-stoplight city never
holds back progress. Amid picturesque country roads
draped with Spanish moss-laden trees, you'll find high
tech research firms, environmental engineering companies
and other high tech organizations that bring employment
opportunities to the town. Alachua from notoriety in the
Wall Street Journal to local news on-line, this little
city has it going on… The once referred to “bedroom”
community just outside Gainesville, Florida has moved up
the ladder as far as little towns go. The development
within and around the city has generated high-tech, high
touch, high demand and cutting edge attention from a
plethora of Fortune 500 lookers. From corner to
corner, this town has something for everyone. Alachua
has a population of roughly 6800 people, a diverse
economic structure and a picturesque Main Street
straight out of the 50’s. Small family owned shops are
nestled along the serpentine street that is adorned with
ever changing foliage of the Bradford Pear tree.
Storefronts shine with pride; windows are filled with
suggestions of garden grandeur, healthy concoctions, and
a new candy store that offers the taste of yesteryear.
You can enjoy the famous Monster Burger from Conestogas
or stroll down the street to a café drenched in sunshine
yellow walls, friendly smiling faces serving fresh baked
muffins with your favorite gourmet coffee to get a
morning started and catch up on all the happenings
around town. You may even see a feathered friend or get
to watch a new generation of Alachua taking his first
steps while growing up on Main Street. A little further
down the street is an Alachua icon. An old family home
is now masterfully restored to the grand elegance of its
glorious youth. Govinda’s restaurant showcases
quintessential southern architecture. This picture
perfect example, complete with white picket fence,
flower-laden gardens and soft aroma from the kitchen
will be forever etched into your memory.
Alachua Website
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to Top~ Archer
Originally known as Dee Hammock, Archer is
located southwest of Gainesville and has its history
tied to the railroad. The Florida Railroad laid out the
town in 1853, responsible for building the railroad from
Fernandina to Cedar Key. The town was renamed by U.S.
Senator and town resident, David Levy Yulee, around 1855
in memory of his friend, James T. Archer, Florida’s
first Secretary of State. Archer is surrounded by nature
and nature lovers. Annually it hosts the T. Gilbert
Pearson Day in November, which draws birdwatchers from
far and wide to this tiny town.
Archer Website
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to Top~ Melrose
Two years after Florida became a U.S. Territory (1821),
surveyors described the area of Melrose as “an
uninhabited wilderness, except for a few Indian
villages.” The opening of a canal in 1881 changed all
that, as steamboats began hauling passengers and freight
across the lakes between Melrose Bay and the railroad in
Waldo, the town prospered. Melrose attracted not only
settlers but also winter visitors from the north, many
of whom built fine homes. The local economy went from
cotton farms to orange groves, hotels and hospitality.
Melrose’s “golden age” occurred during the 1890”s when
many of its historic homes were built and largely ended
about the turn of the century.
Melrose Website
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to Top~ Waldo
The railroad created Waldo, the first English-speaking
town on northeastern Alachua County, in the 1870's. Expanding on the benefits of rail
transportation after the Civil War, a canal was dredged
between Lake Alto and Lake Santa Fe, opening up even
more opportunity for visitors and commerce. Steamboats
made the journey back and forth. By 1932, the boom was
over, however. Freezes had decimated crops in the
region, causing many of the large farms to disappear.
Waldo celebrates its railroad heritage every April with
a festival, Waldo Railroad Day. Additionally, the Waldo
farmers and Flea Market is North Central Florida’s
largest, and is a popular weekend destination for
bargain hunters.
Waldo
Website
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to Top~ Hawthorne
Hawthorne started out in the 1840’s as a tiny settlement
around a grist mill owned by Daniel Morrison. In 1880
the town was named “Hawthorn” in honor of James M.
Hawthorn, an Indian fighter who encouraged the growth of
the town by giving the railroad land to run its line
west to Johnson Lake. There are approximately 400 bodies
of water within 10 miles making the area a hub of
recreation. This quaint city of 1,500 supports a
business population base of over 20,000.
Hawthorn Website
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to Top~ Cross
Creek
First made famous by the books of Pulitzer Prize winning
author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Cross Creek is a
picturesque community in southwestern Alachua County.
The Rawlings’ farmhouse and orange grove is now a state
historic site. Little has changed in Cross Creek since
Rawlings’ day. There are still tall pines and palmetto
lining the road. Even a few of the original families
still live in the area, which is a favorite among
visitors who want to see the lush Florida of Rawlings’
novella and stories, and meet the local characters.
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Micanopy
Named after a Seminole chief, Micanopy was initially a
Native American community. Many settlers moved here
after reading of the region in the popular book,
“Travels of William Bartram,” who explored the Micanopy
area and nearby Payne’s Prairie. It was the filming
location for the 1983 movie, “Cross Creek” and 1991
movie, “Doc Hollywood.” Today, it is home to a number of
antique stores, bed and breakfast and the Micanopy
Historical Society Museum, which was built around 1890
as a warehouse and is now on the National register of
Historic Places.
Micanopy Website
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to Top~ Hague
Developed by the railroad in the 1800s, little is left
of Hague as a reminder of the past glory of the railroad
towns. The railroad still runs and the old station still
stands where it has been operating since 1883. Visitors
interested in historical architecture will particularly
enjoy the old School House-Methodist Church that was
built in the 1880”s, restored in 1982.
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to Top~ La Crosse
Known as the “potato district” of Alachua County, this
farming community has always been low profile because it
has always been directly served by the
railroad. In spite of La Crosse’s relative obscurity,
the area farms have thrived for nearly two centuries.
Farmers produce potatoes, vegetables and tobacco, and
raise cattle. No one knows where the town of La Crosse
got its name. Some say it was named for La Crosse,
Wisconsin, and others claim the town was named for the
Indian game played with baskets and balls.
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to Top~ Windsor
In 1819 the U.S. Congress bought Florida from Spain, and
in 1821 the Territory of Florida was organized. A
4,000-acre tract from the Spanish king’s grant to the
Arredondo family of Cuba was carved out and named
Windsor. In the late 1800’s, Windsor attracted many
residents. It was considered a sister city of
Gainesville, and it was thought that when the railroad
would come through, the Eastern Florida Seminary would
be built in Windsor, and a bridge across Newnan’s Lake
would be constructed to link it with Gainesville.
Gainesville, however, got the railroad and the seminary,
and the bridge disappeared, as did the dreams of the
community. Today, Windsor is enjoying a renewal. Many of
the beautiful historical homes and buildings have been
restored. Farming continues to play an important role in
the economy of the community particularly the farming of
zucchini squash.
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