Page 195 - a-history-of-columbia-county-florida-(1996)-edward-f-keuchel

A History of Columbia County Florida (1996) Edward F. Keuchel 184/340

A History of Columbia County, Florida
vote of 16 to 5. The governor signed it into law on June 5,1905. The
first board of control appointed by Broward under the act con­
sisted of his cousin Nathan P. Bryan (chairman), P. K. Yonge of
Pensacola, Nathaniel Adams of White Springs, A. L. Brown of
Eustis, and T. B. King of Arcadia.7
The board of control and the state board of education met in
Tallahassee on July 6, and quickly agreed that the women’s college
and the normal school for blacks should be left in Tallahassee. An
intense controversy developed over the site of the college for men.
There was considerable sentiment that Lake City should be the site
since the university was already there. Gainesville, the leading
challenger, was promoted by state school superintendent Holl­
oway. Delegates from both communities made concrete proposals
to advance their cause. Gainesville initially made two offers. One
proposal promised 500 acres of land and $40,000. The other
proposal promised 320 acres of land and the use of all public school
buildings. Free water to the university was included in both offers.
Before the boards had the opportunity to discuss the proposals the
Gainesville delegation came back with an offer of 517 acres of land,
$40,000, the use of the Gainesville High School building, and free
water.8
The Lake City delegation pointed out to the boards that the
state currently had a considerable investment in the facilities in
Lake City. Special mention was made of the recent gymnasium
provided by the Flagler gift. In addition, the group promised 871
acres of land and presented a certified check for $40,000.9

The public hearing ended around midnight when the mem­
bers of the board of control and the state board of education started

7lbid., p. 228.
8Ibid., pp. 235-236; Florida Times-Union, July 7, 1905.
9Lake City Committee of Citizens, pamphlet, “The University at Lake City:
Petitions and Arguments Presented to the Governor and the Board of Control
Against the Removal of the University to Gainesville,” P. K. Yonge Lihrary.
162

www.LakeCityHistory.com LCH-UUID: 02905885-C4E0-4A35-9DAE-804ED8349EC9