If you ever get a chance to just meander along some of Florida’s backroads, do it. There is an abundance of treasures to be found. On this particular trip, we set out specifically for McIntosh, a town with a population of 452, according to the 2010 U.S. Census.
Located off U.S. Highway 441, McIntosh is less than 20 miles south of Gainesville. Not that you would get lost, but it is easy to find your way around town. Avenues are named A – J, and streets are numbered 1st – 12th. Those streets and avenues are lined with towering oak trees with branches that seem to be reaching out and inviting you to take “a step back in time.”
This quaint community is home to more than 60 structures that qualify as historic buildings. According to the National Register of Historic Places, the buildings include packing houses, churches, houses and the train depot.
One of the numerous churches in McIntosh | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine
McIntosh History
Its history dates back to 1849 when land that included McIntosh was purchased at a government auction held in Micanopy. Development took off after the Florida Southern Railroad was built in 1881. The route covered 81 miles from Palatka to Gainesville and Ocala and, when the train depot was built around 1895, it became the hub of citrus and vegetable shipping in the area.
McIntosh hasn’t changed in more than 80 years. After the last train passed through in 1974, a local group known as The Friends of McIntosh purchased the depot and restored it. The depot now houses a museum of railroad memorabilia. From the ticket counter to the baggage area, visitors can take that step back in time and experience a slice of life of old Florida railroad history.
McIntosh Train Depot | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine
We visited for the sole purpose of attending the McIntosh 1890s Festival, sponsored by the “Friends” every October. The group works to “preserve and enhance the natural and historic beauty of McIntosh,” and sponsors the festival to assist in those efforts. Live music, craft vendors and food lined the streets for this one day event which drew more than 35,000 people from around the state. (The first festival in 1974 drew 4,000 visitors.) Money from the event is used to fund a variety of projects, including scholarships, park infrastructure, funds to the local school and assistance for other community needs.
McIntosh 1890s Festival | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine
A trip to McIntosh is the perfect way to spend a Saturday, whether you’re attending the October festival or just looking for a relaxing day. Take a detour off the Interstate and enjoy more of the real Florida.
“You can’t travel the back roads very long without discovering a multitude of gentle people doing good for others with no expectation of gain or recognition. The everyday kindness of the back roads more than makes up for the acts of greed in the headlines. Some people out there spend their whole lives selflessly.” Charles Kuralt, Journalist
Great little story. We were vendors at this past years festival for the first time. We will definitely be back this year. Would love to go when I had a chance to really look around and enjoy .
Thank you so much for your comment. This was the first time I had been to the festival and it was a lot of fun. So much to see!
My wife and returned to do ministry in McIntosh aster being away for seven years. It has the best quality of life of any place we have lived.
Pastor Al and Dorothy Bryan
Nice article, if some readers would like to see our town without 40k folks let me invite you to our annual garden club show. Always first Saturday in April. McIntosh is so lovely in the spring.
Nice article, if some readers would like to see our town without 40k folks let me invite you to our annual garden club show. Always first Saturday in April. McIntosh is so lovely in the spring.
I would love to live in a small town like McIntosh I raise German Shepherds , sell p u p s and train them for search and rescue work and service dogs
McIntosh is a great little town!
My Mother & Father are buried in the McIntosh Cemetery . My sisters and I are presently making arrangements to clean the headstone and re-landscape the Family plot. It is a beautiful place.
McIntosh is a lovely place!