100 years and more!
Looking back at 100 years of Gilchrist County history.
Gilchrist County residents past and present are invited to attend the 100 Year Feast which is a county gathering to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Gilchrist County. The event will be held on Saturday, September 20th, at the Gilchrist County Ag Complex (Rodeo Arena) 4050 US 129, Bell, from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $25.00 each and include supper. Tickets can be purchased online at gilchristcountycentennial.com or stop in at the Gilchrist County Property Appraiser Office in the courthouse and see Dale Anderson for a ticket. This fun evening will be reminiscent of the Education Foundation of Gilchrist County’s Beast Feast or a countywide family reunion. There will be lots of great food and some really good old fashioned fellowship. All proceeds from this event will go toward a monument for the county’s 100th Anniversary.
Looking back at Gilchrist County’s history.
1941
The Trenton Town Council repealed their 1939 Sunday Blue Law that made it against the law to open a business on Sunday.
1943
The World War II War Production Board ask county deer hunters to turn in the deer hides taken that hunting season to the government so they could be made into leather gloves and shoes for the military.
1951
When school started in the Fall there were 394 students in Bell School, 413 at Trenton School and 36 at the John Morris School in Trenton.
Trenton got the county’s first traffic light at the intersection of highways 26 and 49 (now 129)
1968
Henry Townsend the manager of the Farmers Mutual Exchange in Trenton invited members and their families to the CPA (agricultural and farm insurance) annual meeting at the Livestock pavilion in Suwannee River (now Fanning Springs).
Central Florida Electric Coop held their annual meeting in the Fall with Gilchrist County members attending. The entertainment was provided by the Florida Boys Gospel Quartet and Congressman Don Fuqua was the guest speaker.
1989
Bell Band received a Superior rating at the Florida Band Festival held at the University of Florida.
Jennifer Moore was crowned Miss Bell at the annual Miss Bell Pageant.
By Cindy Jo Ayers