florida park
The first plats in Florida Park were recorded in the 1930s by former Alachua County Property Appraiser Barney Colson, and were found on its east side along what is now NW 13th Street. Its other boundaries are NW 8th Avenue on the south, NW 16th Avenue on the north, and Hogtown Creek and NW 22nd Street on west. Rattlesnake Creek, a tributary of Hogtown Creek, flows through the neighborhood’s rich hardwood hammock creating significant topographic relief. Florida Park is included in the boundaries of the University Park Neighborhood Association (a voluntary 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established to protect and improve its neighborhoods www.upnagnv.org).
This single-family neighborhood includes two log homes that are on the National Register of Historic Places, but the majority of houses are of the ranch style, built post World War II. The University of Florida’s Historic Preservation Program conducted a mid-century modern architectural study of Florida Park that includes the following description, “The neighborhood has many architect-designed residences set into the landscape, steep grades at lots near creek drainage basins, and a heavy tree canopy cover.” At least two noted Gainesville architects designed, built and lived in the neighborhood, Jack Moore and John Grand. Moore graduated with a BS in Architecture from UF and in 1947 joined the firm of Moore, May and Harrington. Grand was educated at the Catholic University of America and after practice with various units of the Armed Services he joined the faculty of the University of Florida in 1948.
Other early residents of Florida Park included Percy Beard, for whom the UF Track Complex is named, James Richardson, a professor of Business Administration and Gainesville mayor, Courtland Collier, another professor of Business Administration and Alachua County Commissioner, and O’Neal Cox, who owned Cox Furniture with its retail outlet located downtown on the Courthouse Square. His log home on NW 11th Road was constructed in 1936-37 as the first house built in Florida Park. It was enlarged and improved during the 1970s and 80’s by former Mayor-Commissioner Gary Junior and his family.
A landmark in Florida Park is the clock that stands on NW 10th Avenue. It sits in front of the former home of Theodore Crom, founder of the Crom Corporation. Horology (the study of time) was his favorite hobby and he became a world-renowned expert in watch and clock tools, authoring many books and articles on the subject. The saving from destruction of the historic Alachua County Courthouse Clock Tower clock and its restoration in the Downtown Clock Tower was one of his many public services and donations to our community.
To propose changes to your neighborhood’s page please contact neighbor@gainesvilleneighborhoodsunited.org