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Source
State Library of Florida, WPA - Historical Records Survey, County Histories
Description
Meeting minutes from the Alachua County, Florida County Commissioners transcribed by the Works Progress Administration's Historical Records Survey.
Date
ca. 1939
Format
Coverage
Personal Subjects
Corporate Subjects
Subjects
Geographic Term
Note to Researchers:
Though the WPA field workers included extensive citations for the factual information contained in these county histories, it should be noted that these historical narratives were produced in the 1930s by federal government employees, and might reflect the inherent social biases of the era.
Laid by Gainesville
#41 - F and A. M.
A. L. 5885
M. W. Robt. J. Perry, Grandmaster
Corner stone facing east.
Erected A. D. - 1885
H. J. Campbell, Architect
H. Murphy [contractor]
Corner stone facing north.
Corner stone seems to be made of white marble.
Title
Minutes County Commissioners Alachua County
Subject
Cities and towns--History
Florida--Alachua County
Works Progress Administration, Historical Records Survey
Description
Meeting minutes from the Alachua County, Florida County Commissioners transcribed by the Works Progress Administration's Historical Records Survey.
Creator
Works Progress Administration, Historical Records Survey
Source
State Library of Florida, WPA - Historical Records Survey, County Histories
Date
1939 (circa)
Format
local histories
Language
eng-US
Type
Text
Identifier
wpa_county_history_alachua_02
Coverage
Depression Era Florida (1926-1939)
Thumbnail
/fpc/memory/omeka_images/thumbnails/wpa_county_histories.jpg
Geographic Term
Alachua County (Fla.)
Newnansville (Fla.)
Gainesville (Fla.)
Display Date
ca. 1939
ImageID
wpa_county_history_alachua_02_01
wpa_county_history_alachua_02_02
wpa_county_history_alachua_02_03
wpa_county_history_alachua_02_04
wpa_county_history_alachua_02_05
wpa_county_history_alachua_02_06
wpa_county_history_alachua_02_07
wpa_county_history_alachua_02_08
wpa_county_history_alachua_02_09
Subject - Corporate
Alachua Advocate (newspaper)
Warren Taylor and Company (printing)
A. H. Andrews and Company (furniture)
Subject - Person
Pearson, John W.
Burnett, Samuel W.
Alen, Wyatt C.
Campbell, H. J.
Murphy, H.
Carlisle, J. A.
Johnson, A. W.
Jobson, J. B.
Transcript
Mable Matchett
Gainesville, Fla.
Alachua County
Taken from "Minutes County Commissioners 1846-1874"(1 vol.)
An Account of the Erection of Each Court House that has Served Alachua County.
1st. Court House
Page 6 Feb. 6, 1847 Commissioners' Court, Newnansville, Florida
Be it ordered that John W. Pearson have [an] old house located in the town square of Newnansville in public square repaired suitably for holding Superior Court and building of two jury rooms.
Page 9 Nov. 1, 1847 Commissioners' Court, Newnansville, Florida
H. C Wilson having presented an account against the county for $150.00 for the building of two jury rooms and repairing court house and it appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that such was the contract price between the said claimant and J. W. Pearson who was authorized by a previous order from the court to contract for the same. The said account is hereby allowed and ordered to be paid by the treasurer.
Page 16 December 15, 1847 Commissioners' Court, Newnansville, Fla.
In the matter of an account in favor of John B. Stanley for $7.20.
John B. Stanley having presented an account against the county for lumber furnished for flooring court house and it having been proven to the satisfaction of the court by the President of the Board that said lumber was received and used for the court house. It is hereby ordered that said account of $7.00 be allowed and paid by the treasurer.
Page 32-33 Jan. 14, 1850 Commissioners' Court Newnansville, Fla.
Ordered by the Board of County Commissioners [unanimously] that a 2nd Court House be built on the public square in the town of Newnansville, and the said court house be built on the same plan of the one that was built in Columbia County with a few exceptions, and that notices for the building of said court house shall be given publicly and the proposals shall be closed in twenty days from the date of the publication and the bid to be given to the lowest bidder.
Page 34 Feb. 4, 1850 Commissioners' Court Newnansville, Florida
Order 1. On receiving the bids for building a court house for the county of Alachua, Samuel W. Burnett's and J. S. Baber's proposals were opened with a plan accompanying, and on examining the bids it was found that Samuel W. Burnett's bid was the lowest. In consideration of the plan size and work, it is agreed that Samuel W. Burnett's bid be and it is accepted by the Board of County Commissioners; and that he enter into bond with the Commissioners for his faithful performance
Page 2
of building the said court house in double the amount of his bid to be completed in nine months from this date.
Page 35 April 1, 1850 Commissioners' Court Newnansville, Fla.
In the matter of Samuel W. Burnett contractor for the building of the court house for Alachua County, appeared before the Commissioners and entered into an agreement for the building of said building and applied for funds to commence the same. It is therefore ordered that the County Treasurer pay to said Burnett five-hundred dollars out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Page 43 Aug. 9, 1851 Commissioners' Court Special Term
It is hereby ordered that the County Treasurer pay Samuel W. Burnett five-hundred dollars for building the court house out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Page 49 Jan. 12, 1852 Commissioners' Court Newnansville, Florida
Order 5. We the said Board further order that a sufficient amount of money to finish the court house be appropriated from the taxes of the present year.
Page 50 Feb. 2, 1852 Commissioners' Court Newnansville, Florida
Order 6. We the said Board order that the contract for finishing the court house be given to the lowest bidder after advertising the same for thirty days.
Page 63-64 September 6, 1854 Commissioners' Court Newnansville, Flr.
3rd. Court House
Order No. 1. In pursuance of the Act of the General Assembly entitled, "A Act to Provide for the Election of the County Site of Alachua County", approved Dec. 28, 1852. We the County Commissioners of Alachua County have purchased a suitable County Site at the place selected by vote. Ordered that the Judge of Probate be and he is hereby authorized to employ a suitable person to lay off the land so purchased into lots, in conformity with said Act. Said survey to be commenced by the 15th instant. The following to be the basis of said survey; a square to be reserved in the center as near as may be; containing four acres; four main streets entering the square to be 40 feet wide. The entire town to be surrounded by a street not less than 30 feet. The place to be named Gainesville.
It is further ordered that the sale of the lots at said county site take place on the 1st day of Oct. 1854 and that the Judge of Probate advertise by notices of said sale in as many newspapers as he may think necessary and also by the circulation of hand bills. Terms of the sale to be one half cash, the other half on a credit of six and twelve months with interest from date. Purchaser to give notes with approved security.
Page 3
Ordered that the Judge of Probate and the Board of County Commissioners attend at said sale and that the Commissioners present are hereby notified to attend, and that the Judge of Probate notify Wyatt C. Allen of the Order.
Ordered that the Judge of Probate be instructed to advertise immediately for proposals for the building of a court house at said county site. Said court house to be on the plan and of the same material as the court house in Ocala, Marion County as nearly as possible said proposals to be received on the 10th day of October 1854 on which the Commissioners present are hereby notified to attend at the place, and the Judge of Probate is to notify Wyatt C. Allen to attend on that day.
Laid by Gainesville
#41 - F and A. M.
A. L. 5885
M. W. Robt. J. Perry, Grandmaster
Corner stone facing east.
Erected A. D. - 1885
H. J. Campbell, Architect
H. Murphy [contractor]
Corner stone facing north.
Corner stone seems to be made of white marble.
Page 4
Virginia Brice
Gainesville, Fla.
Alachua County
Taken from "County Commissioners Minutes" Book "A"
4th Court House
Page 381 Aug 7, 1883 Order
That the notice of 30 days as required by Sec. 1 Chap. 3421 No. 9 laws of Florida be made and that the Board of County Commissioners will on the day of their next regular meeting consider the question of building a new court house.
Page 384 Sept. 4, 1883
It was ordered that under and by virtue of Sect. 1 Chap. 3121 (#9) laws of Florida that this Board of County Commissioners build a court house on the present site, due and legal notice of the intention of this Board having been given for thirty days by publication in the Alachua Advocate, a newspaper published in Gainesville, Florida of their intention to act on the question of building a new court house.
It was also ordered that J. A. Carlisle, County Auditor be required to advertise in a New York weekly paper for two insertions for competitive bids for designs for a court house. The court house not to exceed in the cost the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars to be paid for the design which is accepted. The Board reserving the right to reject any and all designs.
Page 404 March 10, 1884
It was ordered that the plan be adopted for a court house as presented by H. J. Campbell of Palatka, Florida, and that Mr. H. J. Campbell be notified at once of this adoption of his plans with the alterations and additions to be made thereto ans specified in his letter to this Board, and to request him at once to file plans and specifications of the same.
It was also ordered that the key stones and bases of all the arches in the building be required to be of white marble. There was also an order that the Clerk of the Board write to H. J. Campbell and ascertain what he will charge for supervision of the building of the court house. The clerk was required to advertise for sealed bids and proposals for building a court house, according to the plans and specifications on file with him, this board reserving the right to reject any and all bids.
May 20, 1884
It was ordered that a publication of a notice for sealed bids for building a court house be made in the Alachua County Advocate, the Savannah Morning News, and the New York Times, and that $2000 be required to be deposited with each bid to insure good faith. It was also required that 10 days notice be given for bids to move the court house to the northeast corner of court house yard.
Page 5
Page 411 June 3, 1884
It was ordered that the bid of A. W. Johnson for the removal of the court house to the northeast corner of the court house yard in the sum of $400.00 be accepted, the same being the lowest bid filed, and that the said A. W. Johnson to be paid when the work is completed, and the house removed. The said A. W. Johnson to execute a bond in the sum of $2000 to faithfully and properly remove the said Court House.
Page 414 Aug. 5, 1884
It was ordered that Warren Thayer and Co. be paid $27.00 for printing specifications for court house.
Ordered that all the bids for building a new court house be rejected.
Order that advertisement be made for proposals to build a new court house in the Boston Architect and Builders, Savannah News and Alachua County Advocate to Aug. 20, and that the time for bids be extended to Sept. 2, 1884.
Page 455 Feb. 3, 1885
It was ordered that H. Murphy be paid $4300.00 as the first payment on the new court house provided the said H. Murphy files a good and sufficient bond in the sum of $8000 conditioned to faithfully build the said court house according to contract.
Page 462 - 463 April 1885
It is ordered that H. Murphy be paid $5000 on his contract to build the court house under recommendation of the grand jury also $1282.00 for difference in the cost of brick. Another order was made to pay H. J. Campbell $100.00 as architect for the court house.
Page 466 June 2, 1885
It was ordered that the bid of J. B. Jobson to place a clock in the tower of the court house for the sum of $1795.00 be accepted, the said clock to be put in with all dispatch, the said J. B. Jobson to keep said clock in the best condition for five years. It was also ordered that a gallery be built in the court room on the south side of the same, the whole length of the building with a jury room in each corner under the gallery. The cost of the same not to exceed $3500.00
Page 473 Aug. 13, 1885
It was ordered that H. Murphy, contractor, be paid $2000 on gallery and stair case in the court house.
Page 481 Oct. 6, 1885
It was ordered that the bid of A. H. Anderson and Co. of Chicago for furnishing the furniture for the court house for the sum of $3775 be accepted and that they be awarded the contract for the same they being the lowest bidder, provided the said furniture
Page 6
be set up for use in said court house by December 1, 1885.
Nov. 3, 1885
It was ordered that $135.00 be appropriated for flooring the vault in the Clerk's office and that a warrant for said sum be issued and the same be paid for when completed.
Page 489 Jan. 5, 1886
It was ordered that H. Murphy be paid $6296.62 in full payment and settlement as contractor for building the court house, and that H. J. Campbell be paid $388.02 on account of commission as architect.
Feb. 3, 1885
That H. Murphy be paid $4300.00 as the first payment on the New Court House provided the said H. Murphy files a good and sufficient bond in the sum of $8000 conditioned to faithfully build the said Court House according to contract.
April 7, 1885
That H. Murphy be paid $5000. on [sic] his contract to build the Court House under recommendation of the Grand Jury, also $1282. for [sic] difference in the cost of brick. That A. J. Campbell be paid $100.00 as architect for the Court House.
June 2, 1885.
That the bid of J. B. Jobson to place a clock in the tower of the Court House for the sum of $1795.00 be accepted, the said clock to be put in with all despatch, the said J. B. Jobson to keep said clock moving for one year, and to keep same in the best condition for five years.
June 2, 1885
That a gallery be built in the court room on the South side of the same, the whole length of the building with a jury room in each corner under the gallery. the [sic] cost of the same not to exceed $3500.
Oct. 6, 1885
That the bid of A. H. Andrews and Co. of Chicago for furnishing the furniture for the Court House for the sum of three thousand seven hundred and seventy five dollars be accepted and that they be awarded the contract for the same, they being the lowest bidder, provided the furniture be set up for use in said Court House by Dec. 1, 1885.
That $135.00 be appropriated for flooring the vault in the Clerk's office and that a warrant for said sum be issued and the same be paid for when completed.
November 3, 1885.
That $332.50 for lightning rods on Court House be paid to Peyburn Hunter and Co.
Jan. 5, 1886
That H. Murphy be paid $6296.62 in full payment and settlement as contractor for building the Court House.
Paid Andrews and Co. $4043.80 for furniture.
Gainesville, Florida Sept. 4, 1883
It was ordered by virtue of Sect. 1, Ch. 3121 (No. 9) laws of Florida that this Board of County Commissioners build a Court House on the present site, due and legal notice of the intention of this Board having been given for 30 days by publication in the Alachua Advocate, a newspaper published in Gainesville of their intention to act on the question of building a new Court House.
At the next meeting it was ordered that J. A. Carlisle, County Auditor be requested to advertise in a New York weekly paper for two insertions for competitive bids for designs for a Court House. The Court House not to exceed in the cost the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars. One hundred dollars to be paid for the design which is accepted. The Board reserving the right to reject any and all designs.
March 10, 1884
The Board met, and ordered that the Board adopt the plan of a Court House as presented by H. J. Campbell of Palatka, Florida. Ordered that the Clerk of this Board at once notify H. J. Campbell of the adoption of his plan with the alterations and additions to be made thereto as specified in his letters to this Board and to request him at once to file plans and specifications of the same.
Ordered that the key stones and bases of all the arches in the building be required to be of white marble.
Ordered that the Clerk of this Board write to H. J. Campbell and ascertain what he will charge for supervision of the building of the Court House, that the Clerk of this Board be required to advertise for sealed bids and proposals for building a Court House, according to the plans and specifications on file. This Board reserving the right to reject any and all bids the said Court House to be paid for as by law required and directed.
May 20, 1884
That the plans and specifications for the Court House be those of H. J. Campbell.
That a publication of a notice for sealed bids for building a Court House be made in the Alachua County Advocate, the Savannah Morning News, and the New York paper papers. That $2000 be required to be deposited with each bid to insure good faith. The 10 days notice be given for bids to move the Court House to the North East Corner of Court House yard.
June 3, 1884
That the bid of A. W. Johnson for the removal of the Court House to the NE corner of the Court House yard in the sum of $400.00 be accepted, the same being the lowest bid filed, and that the said A. W. Johnson to be paid when the work is completed and the house removed. The said A. W. Johnson to execute a bond in the sum of $200.00 to faithfully and properly remove said house.
Aug. 5, 1884
That Warren Thayer and Co. be paid $27.00 for printing specifications for Court House.
Chicago Manual of Style
Works Progress Administration, Historical Records Survey. Minutes County Commissioners Alachua County. 1939 (circa). State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. <https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/321074>, accessed 22 April 2025.
MLA
Works Progress Administration, Historical Records Survey. Minutes County Commissioners Alachua County. 1939 (circa). State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.<https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/321074>
AP Style Photo Citation
(State Archives of Florida/Works Progress Administration)