100 years!
Looking back at 100 years of Gilchrist County History.
You are invited to the Gilchrist County Centennial Birthday Bash on Thursday, December 4th, from 5 to 7 p.m. The free event will include lots of fun activities including the cutting of the county’s 100th Birthday cake, opening of the time capsule, story telling, 4-H Coin Challenge and much more. So come on out to the Gilchrist County Courthouse lawn and celebrate the county’s 100th with friends and neighbors.
1935
In mid May Gilchrist, Levy and Dixie County Commissioners met in the lobby of the Suwannee River Hotel in Old Fort Fannin to Discuss adding markers or bronze tablets to the new bridge crossing the Suwannee River. It was decided to develope a park between the old and new roads leading to the river bank. The new park was to have a historic tablet which contained the history of Old Fort Fannin.
The merchants and business men of Gilchrist County sponsored the first contest for growers of Sea Island Cotton in the county. General Bass of Bell was awarded first prize for the cotton stalk he entered which had 197 bolls. More than 30 local farmers competed in the contest that year. Around 150 people gathered for the contest and shared memories of Trenton before the World War when main street would be lined with one horse wagons loaded with cotton waiting their turn at the Cotton Gin.
1979
Shady Grove Primitive Baptist Church opened their recently completed new church building. The church was founded in 1882 and the original building was built that year.
The Census Bureau reported that Gilchrist County had a 45 percent population increase in the past 5 years. The population was 3,551 in 1970 and in 1976 it was 5,000. One of the highest increases for any county in the state.
Center Hill Church of Christ moved into their new church building. The new building would seat 175 people.
1999
Trenton Medical Center, CEO Scott Guthrie went before the Board of County Commissioners to discuss building a new medical facility in Bell. (Now Palms Medical Group)
The Suwannee River Shrine Club held their 12th Annual Gold Hook Awards Kids Fishing Tournament in June. Children from 5-16 participated in the tournament which was held at Hart Springs Public Boat Ramp.
Red Belly Day was held at the Fanning Springs State Park in May of that year.
Laura Antoni (now Laura Beard) was a University of Florida Drum Major in 1999. Laura graduated from Trenton High School in 1996.
The Gilchrist County 4-H Poultry Judging Team was the number one poultry team in the nation in 1999. The team members were Kevin Bension, Rachel Brecken, Bessie Destin and Jamie Smith.