This little town, population 784, is best known nowadays as an officially recognized speed trap, but Waldo, one of Alachua County’s oldest towns founded in 1820 was once a thriving railroad center, Waldo was named for Dr. Benjamin Waldo of Ocala, a physician and friend of the railroad’s founder. The town’s train depot throughout history saw civil war troops, new settlers looking for good soil and a mild climate, as well as tourists looking for “a winter playground”, all which could be found in beautiful Waldo.
We drive through Waldo on our trip to and from Gainesville, and I have always wanted to stop to take pictures of its downtown. There is something so forgotten about it, and yet when I examined the pictures, I found such loveliness. I'm glad we made the time to stop in this corner of America.
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So many of these little towns have such character. Some of Waldo looks like it needs a little TLC. But #14650 really does look like the star of the day. Love the old red bricks and blue stars and doors! Great collage Allison and nice history lesson!
