Your guide to the people, places and events that made Gainesville the thriving city and educational center it is today. Gainesville, Florida, was established in the early 1850s in an area of Alachua County known for cotton farming, cattle and citrus. It s

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Steve Rajtar came to Florida for college and decided to stay. The combination of a love of the outdoors and local history led him to establish of over 150 historical tour routes through the communities of Central Florida, which can be used by anyone to get "up close and personal" with the region's historic sites. He has written several books on various aspects of hiking and history and loves to guide tours by foot, bicycle and kayak.