Name: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (and Steamboats, Too!)
Start: 2025-09-17T19:00:00-04:00
Location: 513 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL, United States, Florida 32601

In-person registration: https://mathesonmuseum.networkforgood.com/events/88503-planes-trains-and-automobiles-and-steamboats-too
Until the nineteenth century, steamboats provided the major means of transportation in Florida and its connection to the wider world. Alachua County was home to multiple steamboat lines, which operated on Lake Alto, Lake Santa Fe, and Alachua Lake/Paynes Prairie. The railroad also had a major impact on Alachua County. 19th century Florida roads were swampy and sandy, so when the Florida Railroad arrived in Gainesville on February 1, 1859, the county’s history was changed forever.
Dr. Noll’s presentation covers the decades of development and infrastructure of Florida’s transportation industry and intersections with contemporary issues of the state.
This program is sponsored in part by the Florida Humanities, Visit Gainesville/Alachua County, FL and The City of Gainesville.
Funding for this Florida Talks program was provided through a grant from Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.