Trenton, Florida

Trenton, Florida
City
City of Trenton
Trenton City Hall
Motto(s):  "A Community of Friends" "Building Upon a Foundation of Integrity" [1]
Location in Gilchrist County and the state of Florida
Coordinates: 29°36′54″N82°49′4″W / 29.61500°N 82.81778°W / 29.61500; -82.81778
Country	United States
State	Florida
County	Gilchrist
Settled	1883 [2]
Incorporated	1911 [3]
Named for	Trenton, Tennessee [2]
Government
• Type	Commission-Manager
•  Mayor	Robbi Coarsey Avery
•  Commissioners	Randy Rutter, Mary Davis, Russel Williams, and Craig Ruede
•  City Manager	Lyle Wilkerson
•  City Clerk	Brittany Mills
•  City Attorney	David Lang
Area [4]
• Total	3.39 sq mi (8.79 km2)
• Land	3.39 sq mi (8.79 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	52 ft (16 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,015
• Density	593.87/sq mi (229.32/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	32693
Area code	352
FIPS code	12-72350 [5]
GNIS feature ID	0292420 [6]
Website	www.trentonflorida.org

Trenton is a city in and the county seat of Gilchrist County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,015 as of the 2020 census, up from 1,999 at the 2010 census. ^[7] It is part of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Prehistory

The first Paleo-Indians reached the north-central Florida area near the end of the last ice age, as they followed big game south. ^{[8] [9]} As the ice melted and sea levels rose, these Native Americans ended up staying and thrived on the peninsula for thousands of years. By the time the first Spanish conquistadors arrived, there were over 250,000 Native Americans living on the peninsula. The Timucua were a historic tribe across the north central area of Florida, where Trenton later developed.

Within 150 years, the majority of the pre-Columbian Native American peoples of Florida died of new infectious diseases or warfare, with their societies disrupted. Some were enslaved by the Spaniards, and died because of harsh treatment. ^{[8] [10] [11]} Little is left of these first Native American cultures in Trenton except for scant archaeological records, including a few personal artifacts. By the early 19th century, the remnants of these tribes merged with the Muscogee (also known as Creek) who migrated from Georgia and Alabama. They created a new culture through ethnogenesis and became known as the Seminole people. ^{[9] [11]} Most of the Seminole were removed from north-central Florida by the United States after wars from the 1830s to 1842, while some resisted by moving south into the Everglades and survived.

Post-Reconstruction to present

When the area was being settled in 1883, it was very briefly called "Joppa" before being named "Trenton" by a former Confederate soldier who resided in the community but was originally from Trenton, Tennessee (which in turn took their city's name from Trenton, New Jersey, after William Trent). ^[2] The municipality was officially incorporated as the City of Trenton in 1911. ^[3]

Western Alachua County was developed largely for farms and timber, which sometimes attracted itinerant workers. Trenton developed as a trading and market town for this area, with some professionals who worked here in the early 20th century.

On July 21, 1915, Dr. H.M. Owens was lynched by a mob in Trenton after being told to leave town. He was at the house of Mrs. McGuire, which the mob set on fire after the doctor exchanged fire with the crowd. The doctor was shot to death as he fled the burning house. Dr. Owens's local Masonic Lodge was disbanded in the ensuing scandal and only reopened in the 1950s. ^{[12] [13]}

At the time, the city of Trenton was still located in Alachua County, which had the sixth highest number of lynchings of counties in Florida. ^[14]

Trenton is in a rural area, and is the hometown of country music singer Easton Corbin and MLB player, Wyatt Langford of the Texas Rangers.

2018 Shooting

On Thursday, April 19, 2018, two Gilchrist County Sheriff's deputies were attacked and slain by a lone gunman while on duty, eating lunch at a local restaurant. The two deputies were identified by Sheriff Bobby Schultz as Sergeant Noel Ramirez and Deputy Taylor Lindsey. The killer, identified as Gilchrist County resident John Hubert Highnote, was found outside the restaurant in his vehicle, where he had committed suicide. The investigation into any possible motive was inconclusive. ^[15]

Geography

The approximate coordinates for the City of Trenton is located near the southern border of Gilchrist County at 29°36′54″N82°49′4″W / 29.61500°N 82.81778°W / 29.61500; -82.81778 (29.615081, –82.817732). ^[16]

U.S. Route 129 is the city's Main Street; it leads north 28 miles (45 km) to Branford and south 11 miles (18 km) to Chiefland. Florida State Road 26 (Wade Street) leads east 13 miles (21 km) to Newberry and 30 miles (48 km) to Gainesville, while to the west it leads 8 miles (13 km) to Fanning Springs. Florida State Road 47 (Trenton Boulevard) intersects US 129 in the northern part of Trenton and leads northeast 42 miles (68 km) to Lake City.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Trenton has a total area of 3.4 square miles (8.8 km²), all land.

The Florida Department of Corrections' nearby Lancaster Correctional Institution is 3 miles (5 km) from Trenton.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the City of Trenton has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1910	304		—
1920	400		31.6%
1930	706		76.5%
1940	773		9.5%
1950	904		16.9%
1960	941		4.1%
1970	1,074		14.1%
1980	1,131		5.3%
1990	1,287		13.8%
2000	1,617		25.6%
2010	1,999		23.6%
2020	2,015		0.8%
U.S. Decennial Census [17]

2010 and 2020 census

Trenton racial composition
(Hispanics excluded from racial categories)
(NH = Non-Hispanic)

Race	Pop 2010 [18]	Pop 2020 [19]	% 2010	% 2020
White (NH)	1,424	1,313	71.24%	65.16%
Black or African American (NH)	350	302	17.51%	14.99%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	7	10	0.35%	0.50%
Asian (NH)	11	9	0.55%	0.45%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH)	0	0	0.00%	0.00%
Some other race (NH)	1	5	0.05%	0.25%
Two or more races/Multiracial (NH)	49	92	2.45%	4.57%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	157	284	7.85%	14.09%
Total	1,999	2,015

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,015 people, 656 households, and 445 families residing in the city. ^[20]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 1,999 people, 755 households, and 430 families residing in the city. ^[21]

2000 census

As of 2000 U.S. Census, there were 1,617 people, 608 households, and 390 families residing in the city. The population density was 623.4 inhabitants per square mile (240.7/km²). There were 690 housing units at an average density of 266.0 per square mile (102.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 77.67% White, 20.16% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.67% of the population.

In 2000, there were 608 households, out of which 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were married couples living together, 19.4% had a female widow with no husband present, and 35.7% were non-white. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.10.

In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.7 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $25,259, and the median income for a family was $29,773. Males had a median income of $24,000 versus $21,302 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,054. About 18.9% of families and 20.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.2% of those under age 18 and 15.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Trenton Elementary School serves Trenton area students in grades PreK–5. The Principal is Ronda Adkins and the Assistant Principal is Scott Allen. ^[22] Students in grades 6–12 attend Trenton Middle High School. The Principal is Cheri Langford and the Assistant Principals are Scott Hall and Devin Colley. ^[23]

Schools

Trenton, Florida, is home to two schools - Trenton Elementary School and Trenton Middle High School .

Historic buildings

Historic buildings in Trenton include:

• Gilchrist County Courthouse
• Trenton Depot
• The Trenton Church of Christ on South Main Street

Notable people

• Easton Corbin, country music singer
• Wyatt Langford, professional MLB baseball player

References

1. "City of Trenton Florida". www.trentonflorida.org. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
2. "Our History". www.trentonflorida.org.
3. "FLORIDA CITIES BY INCORPORATION YEAR" (PDF). Florida League of Cities.
4. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
5. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
6. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
7. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
8. "Ancient Native". HOTOA. Archived from the original on October 17, 2010. Retrieved September 9, 2010.
9. "Polk County History". Polk County Historical Association. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved September 11, 2010.
10. "The Ancient Ones". HOTOA. Archived from the original on October 17, 2010. Retrieved September 9, 2010.
11. Weibel, B. "Trail of Florida's Ancient Heritage". active.com. Archived from the original on November 23, 2009. Retrieved September 9, 2010.
12. Dan, Nicole (September 27, 2017). "At Least 21 Lynched In Alachua County, Historical Commission Confirms". WUFT-TV. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
13. "Small Florida Town Scene Big Doings Recently". Genealogy Trails History Group: Pensacola Journal. July 23, 1915. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
14. Lynching in America/ Supplement: Lynchings by County, 3rd Edition, 2015, p.2 ^{[ permanent dead link ]}
15. "CBS News", April 20, 2018
16. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
17. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
18. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Trenton city, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
19. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Trenton city, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
20. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Trenton city, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
21. "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Trenton city, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
22. "Trenton Elementary School". www.gilchristschools.org. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
23. "Trenton Middle / High School". www.gilchristschools.org. Retrieved May 13, 2020.

External links

• City of Trenton official website
• Trenton/Gilchrist County Chamber of Commerce Archived 2004-12-12 at the Wayback Machine