North Gilchrist County, Florida

Gilchrist County is a place for everyone (Progressive Farmer Magazine ranked Gilchrist County, FL #9 in the 2008 top list of "Places to Live in Rural America" -- click here for HTML or PDF), with acres upon acres of pristine land. Here nature endures, harmonizing with mankind. Miles of banks along the Santa Fe and Suwannee Rivers provide beautiful riverfront property abundant with cypress and old oaks. In the heart of Gilchrist County are the Waccasassa Flats, wetland preserves full of wildlife; the old Florida protected for many lifetimes.

Bordering Gilchrist County are Two of Florida's purest Rivers -- the Suwannee and the Santa Fe. Noted for their calm, clean waters, these rivers are a real sporting paradise. Contributing to this quality of water are nature's treasures -- the Florida springs. These freshwater crystal clear springs dot the county and bubble forth millions of gallons of water daily.

Gilchrist County is still an unspoiled glimpse at old-time Florida, with a slower pace and old-fashioned values. The environment is clean, the churches are full on Sunday and the many cottage industry businesses thrive and are supported by the local residents.

Natural attractions abound, with many recreational opportunities, including boating, fishing, camping, hiking, wildlife watching, and more. Gilchrist County, located 25 miles west of Gainesville and 30 miles northeast of the Gulf Coast, is the ideal location for family recreation and a place to establish roots in the core of unspoiled Florida.

Text Credit to:

Gilchrist Guide, Gilchrist County Chamber of Commerce 

The Town of Bell, Florida

When people come to the Town of Bell, they can experience a small town atmosphere with friendly home folks reaching out to welcome them. The town has seen over one hundred years, and the growth has been as a canvas being painted, with each new brush stroke adding a unique character to our community. Driving through this quaint town, people will see the church steeple, the crossing guard directing students to class, fresh-cut hay on the back of a trailer, or smell the meat being barbecued.

Bell was incorporated in the early 1900s and is now the second-largest town in Gilchrist County. It was named for Bell Fletcher in 1903, the daughter of Daniel E. Fletcher, a native Floridian and successful farmer in the area.

The railroad line was built through Bell in 1903. The Bell Depot was built around 1905. The steam engine train, known to locals as "Peggy," was the main way to move timber, farm products, and limerock to market. Today Bell is growing as quickly as the rest of Gilchrist County, and welcomes new businesses and residents.

Text Credit to:

Gilchrist Guide, Gilchrist County Chamber of Commerce