History
1853-1905 » UF's Beginnings
On January 6, 1853, Florida Governor Thomas Brown signs the bill that provided public support to higher education. East Florida Seminary in Ocala is one of the first schools to use this funding, but it soon closes due the Civil War. In 1866, EFS reopens in Gainesville, beginning a 150-year journey to become one of the largest, most prestigious schools in the world.
1853
» East Florida Seminary Created » East Florida Seminary
in Ocala is created in response to public funds being used to support higher
education. EFS will later combine with Florida Agricultural College, St.
Petersburg Normal and Industrial School and South Florida Military College
to become the University of the State of Florida, one of four state universities.
1861-1865
» Civil War Closes East Florida Seminary »
Legend has it that all of the faculty and male students of military age
serve in some capacity in the service of the Confederacy.
1866
» East Florida Seminary Moves To Gainesville » EFS
is housed in what later will become the Methodist Church on Northeast First
Street in Gainesville. One of the original buildings, Epworth Hall, is still
in use today and displays a marker signifying its importance to the Gainesville
community.
1884
» Florida Agricultural College Opens » Florida's first
land grant college opens in Lake City. Gainesville was originally selected
as the site for the new school but could not fulfill its financial obligations.
The college site is then moved to Eau Gallie but politics play a part in
moving the site once more — to Lake City.
1903
» College Named University Of Florida » Florida Agricultural
College changes its name to University of Florida for a short time. The
Buckman Act of 1905 abolishes all state-supported schools to consolidate
them. UF becomes the University of the State of Florida until 1909 when
the name is shortened to University of Florida.
1904
» Sledd Appointed First UF President »
Andrew Sledd is selected as the president of the University of Florida at
Lake City. In 1905, Sledd is chosen to be the first president of the new
Univesity of the State of Florida. Sledd's appointment as president is entwined
in state politics, however. Many believe his standards for the school are
too high and that he overlooks the benefits of athletics. He is forced to
resign after Governor Albert Gilchrist's inauguration in 1909.
1905
» Buckman Act » With the public support of higher education,
seven co-educational schools have opened. The Buckman Act consolidates these
schools to one for white males (UF), one for white females (FSU), one for
African-Americans (FAMU) and one school for the deaf and blind.