Looking back at 100 years of Gilchrist County history.

1930’s

The night spot in Trenton was the Bowling  Alley on Main Street (the bowling alley foundation is located where the American Grace Coffee Shop is today). Ladies and gentlemen would form teams for spirted competition back in the 1930’s.

1937

Mrs. Anita Groff Hall became the new postmaster in Wilcox. Mrs. Hall replaced Mr. N.G. Matthews as postmaster.

Mr. E.D. Chessman of Macclenny remodeled the building known as the Red Barn next to the Coca-Cola plant in Trenton and opened the Trenton Theater. Ticket prices for the theater ranged from 10 to 25 cent.

1949

Deen and Holder Ice House and Cold Storage owned by Edd Deen and Faye Holder advertised that they cure meat and restore meat and they sell refrigerators as well as ice cream freezers. Their business was formerly Atlantic Ice Company owned by J. F. Haigler and located next to the Coca-Cola plant in Trenton (now Off the Beet Restaurant)  Later the business was known as the Crystal Ice House.

A total of 641 train cars of watermelons were shipped from Bell during melon season. According to A.M. Kelly agent for S.A.L.  417 box cars were loaded in Bell, 139 were loaded at Curtis and 85 at Craggs.

Over 100 family members of the late John C. (Johnnie) and Lila Gay Townsend attended a family Reunion at the Wayside Park in Fannin Springs (Fanning Springs).

1979

Bell High School Band marched in the Inaugural Parade in Tallahassee. The parade was part of the inauguration ceremony for Governor Robert “Bob” Graham. The band wore their new uniforms as they represented Gilchrist County well at the 200 unit parade

By Cindy Jo Ayers