National Register Listing

Cox Furniture Warehouse

602 S. Main St., Gainesville, FL
The Cox Furniture Store is significant at the local level in the areas of Commerce and Architecture. The style and scale of the building reflect the early development of the Gainesville commercial district. The structure was built in 1887 as the Simonson Opera House and an entertainment center in downtown Gainesville until the 1920s. From 1939 to 1991 the building housed the largest and most successful furniture store in Gainesville. It is an excellent example of a masonry vernacular commercial building of the type constructed in the United States during the period from the late nineteenth to the early twentieth centuries.
Local significance of the building:
Commerce; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1994.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

commerce architecture
Florida has been the site of many space launches and is home to the Kennedy Space Center, where NASA launched the Apollo missions to the moon in the 1960s and 1970s.
Florida random facts
Alachua County, located in northern Florida, has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Timucua and Seminole people. They relied on the fertile soil and abundant water sources for their sustenance and developed intricate cultural practices.

In the 16th century, Spanish explorers ventured into the region, establishing missions and attempting to colonize the area. However, conflicts with the Native Americans and the lack of resources hindered their efforts. The territory eventually came under British control in the late 18th century, followed by transfer to the United States after the Revolutionary War.

During the mid-19th century, Alachua County experienced a boom as many settlers arrived, drawn by the promise of fertile lands for farming and the expanding railroad system. The city of Gainesville, Alachua County's seat, was established in 1854 and became an economic and cultural hub in the region.

However, the county also faced turbulent times during the Civil War, with significant impact and casualties endured. The University of Florida was founded in Gainesville in 1905, marking a turning point for education and intellectual growth in the region. Today, Alachua County continues to thrive as a diverse and dynamic community, preserving its history while embracing progress and growth.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Alachua County, Florida.

  • 1824 - Alachua County is established on December 29, 1824, as Florida's first inland county.
  • 1832 - The first courthouse in the county is constructed in Newnansville.
  • 1837 - Newnansville becomes the county seat.
  • 1853 - Gainesville is established as a railroad depot, leading to the decline of Newnansville.
  • 1868 - Gainesville becomes the county seat.
  • 1905 - The University of Florida is established in Gainesville.
  • 1915 - The Seagle Building, the first skyscraper in Gainesville, is completed.
  • 1930s - The Great Depression impacts the county, leading to economic struggles.
  • 1950s - Growth of the University of Florida and postwar development fuel population growth.
  • 1969 - Santa Fe Community College is established.
  • 1990s - A period of rapid growth and urbanization begins.
  • 2001 - Celebration Pointe, a major mixed-use development, breaks ground.