Alachua County was formed in 1824 from the Timucan word meaning "sinkhole." Gainesville has been…read morethe county seat since 1854. This courthouse is located on a prime city block in downtown Gainesville, surrounded by retail and restaurants and an open square that seems to be used occasionally for music festivals or farmers markets. The structure is an Art Deco / Modern style that is four stories of concrete and glass. Because of the nearby buildings and massive trees next to it, it's challenging to get far enough away to get a proper photograph. But it's in mostly good condition considering the Florida weather. It could use a good pressure cleaning of the exterior. The marker nearby reads, "The Alachua County Commission, by authority of the Florida Legislature, selected this site for a courthouse in 1854, moving the county seat from Newnansville. The first courthouse was a frame building completed in 1856. It was demolished on the completion of a red brick courthouse in 1886. The current building, completed in 1958, and its 1962 addition, were erected in response to the continuing expansion of governmental needs in Alachua County." [Review 357 of 2025 - 2009 in Florida - 23919 overall]

This courthouse is quite dated and looks pretty much straight out of the 70s or something like that…read morebut it gets the job done The inside and the outside architecture are both in need of some renovation however they keep it very clean inside All the employees I encountered were very friendly and helpful, it seems like mostly everybody except the litigants had a smile on their face. The location in downtown Gainesville is nice, it's close to the park and parking is pretty decent, there is parking all the way around the block for two hours or less for free and if you need more Parking than that you can park across the street in the pay lot. There is free Wi-Fi sponsored by the city in the area. I would not suggest filing a lawsuit to go experience this courthouse, however if you got to come here it's a decent place to go.

We have been waiting since September for the Court to release the funds for our friend's burial,…read morewhich took place in Arlington National Cemetery at the beginning of April 2025. I have been in touch several times with Jaydin Farrenkopf, Probate Case Manager at Alachua County Family & Civil Justice Center located at 201 E. University Avenue. I have called many times and emailed Ms. Farrenkopf at farrenkopfj@circuit8.org. Ms. Farrenkopf has informed me 3 weeks ago that "our request has been approved and she is awaiting the magistrate's signature." Really? It has been over a month since we have been kept waiting for the signature and 4 months since we applied, and the paperwork was approved. Surely, the wheels of justice do not turn this slowwwwwlllly. Oh, and by the way, I paid $350 in court fees just to file this claim...

This courthouse is an older building, with a large courtyard that is open to the public. Many…read morehomeless hang out in the amphitheater during the day, so sometimes it feels a little uncomfortable walking through to the main entrance. The staff has always been friendly and helpful, so I have no complaints, I just don't give courthouses 5 stars!

I hired Chris Jones to guide me through a parental sharing case last fall. He exceeded all of my…read moreexpectations of what a lawyer is and does. He was extremely knowledgeable. He guided me from day one, explaining the process to me and assuring me everything would be okay. He is very respectful, welcoming, and kind. He communicated very well and always kept me up to date with the case details. He was punctual and well prepared for all meetings at the courthouse. Chris would contact me often to make sure he had all the details of my case correct and to gather any new information. He spent countless hours researching and preparing for my trial and ultimately worked out exactly what I wanted. I would never have made it through this case on my own and I'm so thankful I had Chris fighting by my side. I would highly recommend him!

Mr. Jones provided excellent service for me and always had my best interest in mind. He was able…read moreto resolve my issues in a speedy yet extremely professional and knowledgeable manner. I would highly recommend him.

Great local history museum! Free entry and downtown in a very convenient location. Definitely worth…read morestopping by.

We frequently attend the free lectures sponsored by Florida Humanities at the MATHESON. Always…read moreinteresting and sometimes outstanding. Great way to learn about little known aspects of Florida. Parking is limited (my guess is because people park here for other purposes than attending the museum) so I recommend getting there early.

I jut wish that someone would come and put some money back into this place. The spring has been…read morecompletely neglected, and the building is in disrepair. It's pretty disgraceful that UF or the state doesn't put more pride and love into this spring. It has such an incredible history, and is a state landmark.

Excellent little park and historic site in Gainesville. Perfect for hiking, biking or a just an…read moreeasy stroll. There is also a horse trail. The waterworks building is very cool and a few tables and grills allow for picnics and snacks in a shaded setting.

Based on multiple recommendations, we retained the Law Offices of Gilbert A. Schaffnit…read morepost-conviction to represent a family member. I had the opportunity to observe their work closely, and their experience with post-conviction matters was evident. From the beginning, Mr. Schaffnit and his staff were responsive, knowledgeable, and clear about the process. Mr. Schaffnit provided thoughtful guidance by clearly outlining the available options, including the potential upside, downside, and risks of each path. That level of clarity made a difficult situation much easier to understand and navigate. What also stood out was the strength of Mr. Schaffnit's team. His staff is extremely knowledgeable, professional, and effective. He is also very mindful that many people cannot afford high legal fees, and he takes a thoughtful approach to managing costs--delegating appropriate work to his capable staff at lower hourly rates, while personally overseeing the case and handling the aspects that require his direct expertise. The firm has provided valuable guidance to our family on navigating reentry and probation. Even after our family member was released from custody, the firm remains available to answer questions, provide guidance, and offer continued support. It's also worth noting that Mr. Schaffnit is admitted to practice in federal courts and across multiple jurisdictions, which reflects a broader depth of experience. Our only regret is that we did not know in time to retain his services for the original federal case. I believe if Mr. Schaffnit had represented our family member, the original outcome would have been much different. I would highly recommend the Law Offices of Gilbert A. Schaffnit to anyone in need of a highly skilled defense attorney. Mr. Schaffnit is a remarkable defense attorney.

Gilbert Schaffnit was not an effective laywer for my father. He was paid quit a significant amount…read moreof money and got us nowhere. Furthermore his character and professionalism are lacking. My uncle and I drove three and a half hours to demonstrate support for my father in court. Mr Schaffnit met us in the court house and yelled at us to leave, this was an unlawfull order and was done without my fathers permission. He was angry and red faced because he was not prepared for court that day, by his own admission. My family was denied the right to witness court proceedings and show support. I would not recommend him to any one.