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Gainesville, Florida

Located in Alachua County, Florida, Gainesville was established in 1854. Gatorade invented at UF in 1965. Tom Petty born and raised here.
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Founded 1854 | Population 151,942 | Peak 151,942 (2024) | County Alachua County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Gainesville, Florida

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1906University of Florida Established: Grows into one of nation's largest public universities.
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1965Gatorade Invented: Sports drink created at UF.
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1996Football National Title: Spurrier leads Gators to first title.
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2006Double Championship: Football and basketball titles simultaneously.
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2020UF Top-5 Public University: Achieves top-5 ranking.
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Latest News in Gainesville

Feb 20, 2026
Grandpa Opens Fire On Armed Criminals During Home Invasion – His Granddaughter Orchestrated The Whole Heist
Among those arrested was the homeowner’s granddaughter, the orchestrator of the crime.
Feb 20, 2026
Dad And Son Charged With 216 Counts Of Incest, Pay The Price
A father and son in West Virginia has been charged with over 216 counts of incest, sexual assault and sexual abuse that involved t…
Feb 20, 2026
Trump Admin Mocked Over This Small Detail In Venezuela ‘Situation Room’ Photo
In the wake of a bold and controversial U.S. military operation in Venezuela…

Complete Historical Timeline

1906 Culture
University of Florida Established
1965 Science
Gatorade Invented
1996 Sports
Football National Title
2006 Sports
Double Championship
2020 Culture
UF Top-5 Public University

Did You Know?

1
Gatorade invented at UF in 1965.
2
Tom Petty born and raised here.
3
One of five largest U.S. universities.
4
Gainesville is located in Alachua County, Florida.
5
Gainesville was founded in 1854.

Famous People from Gainesville, Florida

TP
Tom Petty
Composer, Singer · Born Oct 20, 1950 · Died Oct 2, 2017 (age 66)
NL
Noah Lyles
Athletics Competitor, Vice President · Born Jul 18, 1997 · Age 28
MR
Maya Rudolph
Singer, Comedian · Born Jul 27, 1972 · Age 53
DM
Dustin Moskovitz
Computer Scientist, Entrepreneur · Born May 22, 1984 · Age 41
PD
Philip H. Dybvig
Economist, University Teacher · Born May 22, 1955 · Age 70
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