Trenton

Nestled in the heart of North Florida, Trenton is a town of just under 2,000 people and is the Cty Seat of Gilchrist County

A Home Speaks I stand here now out in the field, Was here when times were hard, The livestock then were all fenced out And trees were in the yard. I used to be all painted white, Before collapse, debris, There used to be an old rope swing Out underneath the tree. I watched as men out in the field Would farm in heat and cold, I watched as families came and left, I watched as men grew old. I sat here winters and thru springs, I tried to keep my pride, For I have stood here many years Without a soul inside. I cringed as they came for my trees, To me it made no sence, Azaleas, myrtles, all came out, They pulled down my old fence. No one has come for many years, At least not thru my door. I’m slowly having to let go Of walls, of roof and floor. Though wild flowers come each year, They blossom, then they fade, It makes me think of old rope swing, Way back when I had shade. New bushes sprouted at my side, I watched them start, begin, But now the trailing vines have grown Up walls and entered in. I think back now thru all the years, To when I had my pride, I had some trees, I had some souls And had a swing outside.

Linda Lee 2018

Bell

Bell was incorporated in 1903 and the name was selected by means of a beauty contest in which the winner's name was to be given to the new station and post office. The one who received the most votes for Queen was Bell Fletcher, the daughter of Daniel E. Fletcher, a native of Florida and a successful farmer from Alachua County. Bell Fletcher later married G.W. Everett and lived in the community until her death in 1919. 

In 1903, a railroad was built through Bell and would serve as the primary transportation for shipping timber, lime rock, farm products, and other commodities to market. The train was called "Peggy" and ran every day leaving Starke, Florida, early in the morning, passing through Brooker, La Crosse, Alachua, and Bell, on its route to Wannee at the Suwannee River. It would turn around and return to Starke the same day. The train depot was built around 1905, and William C. Cocke was it's first telegraph agent in 1907. The restored historic depot now serves as the Bell Town Hall.

The population was 456 at the 2010 census, up from 349 in 2000. The population of the Town of Bell is 537 as of 2016. 

Old house between Trenton and Bell

William and Almira Cocke of Bell, he was the first telegraph agent in 1907.

1~William H. Cocke B: 09/01/1919  D: 02/15/2018 M: Winifred C. Cocke. He served with the United States Army Air Corps during WWII. He was employed as a furniture refinisher and furniture artisan with Perdue Furniture Co. for 17 years and Pierce-Wall Furniture Co for 20 years. His memberships include the Veterans of Foreign War, Lifetime Member of Arlington United Methodist Church, Arlington United Methodist Men, and the AUMC Friendship Class.

1~Larry D. Cocke M: Tiffany

2~Kimberly Cocke M: Ricky L. Doucette

2~Joseph B. Cocke