Looking back through 100 years of our county’s history.

1924

In 1924 just one year before Gilchrist County became a county in 1925, Trenton saw the completion of the new brick school. The consolidation of Cherry Sink School, Jennings Lake School and  Cleveland School was the reason for a larger school in Trenton.

In 1926 the county rented the old wooden school building in Trenton and it served as the Gilchrist County Courthouse until it burned in 1932. Mitchell Green Akins served as County Judge. Judges Akins was known for his fairness to the citizens of the county.

1928

The Bell School building was built in 1928 at a cost of $45,000 for the school and all equipment. The Junior and Senior Classes produced a play to raise money each year.

 The 1928-29 Bell Girls Basketball Team’s first string members were Geneva Roberts (Palmer), Edwina Roberts (Williams), Metholee Williams (Norfleet), Amma Lee Walker (Roberts), Iris Jones (Roberts) and Irene Jones (Sauls). The team played on a rock court because there wasn’t a gym in the county at that time.

1968

Miss Nellie Langston announced that she would not seek reelection as the Gilchrist County Supervisor of Elections. She had served as the Supervisor of Elections for 20 years. She succeeded W. J. Lord as the Supervisor of Elections and never had any opposition while she was in office. Nellie worked all her life even though she was handicapped after having Polio when she was 4 or 5 years old. Before becoming the Supervisor of Elections she worked in Judge Akins office.

2012

The Gilchrist County Commission voted to accept a donation by the Gilchrist County FFA Alumni Association of the Rodeo Arena now known as the Gilchrist County Ag Complex.

The Wild Beast Feast featured swamp cabbage and mountain oysters in 2012. The Education Foundation of Gilchrist County raised $22,000 at the event.

• By Cindy Jo Ayers