Instructions:
1....Print this file.
2....At its end, click on "rules" to see a copy of the trail rules, print it, and then click where indicated at the end of the 3-page rules and patch order form to get back to the list of Florida trails.
3....If you want a hand-drawn map showing the locations of all of the sites, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Steve Rajtar, 1614 Bimini Dr., Orlando, FL 32806.
4....Hike the trail and order whatever patches you like (optional).
WARNING - This trail may pass through one or more neighborhoods which, although full of history, may now be unsafe for individuals on foot, or which may make you feel unsafe there. Hikers have been approached by individuals who have asked for handouts or who have inquired (not always in a friendly manner) why the hikers are in their neighborhood. Drugs and other inappropriate items have been found by hikers in some neighborhoods. It is suggested that you drive the hike routes first to see if you will feel comfortable walking them and, if you don't think it's a good place for you walk, you might want to consider (1) traveling with a large group, (2) doing the route on bicycles, or (3) choosing another hike route. The degree of comfort will vary with the individual and with the time and season of the hike, so you need to make the determination using your best judgment. If you hike the trail, you accept all risks involved.
This body of water has had several names. Before the Civil War, it was called Nine Mile Pond because it was nine miles from Fort King (now Ocala). It was also called Butler Pond. When the Florida Railroad & Navigation Company laid its tracks here in 1882, it was called Roach Pond.
The land around the lake was begun to be developed in 1884 by the company, led by president C.L. Robinson of Jacksonville, vice president E.W. Agnew of Ocala, treasurer Col. John F. Dunn and Rev. H. Woodward from Keene, New Hampshire. Their development evolved into today's Belleview.
This building was erected in 1964 as the home of Belleview Post 284.
Two of the earlier names this town has had were Roach Pond and Long Swamp. One story of how it got its present name claims that it is named after John F. Pelot's daughter, Belle.
This building was erected in 1928 as the Belleview School. It was designed with a Spanish style by E.C. Hosford and built by Alfred W. Smith. It became the city hall in December of 1995.
This road got its early name because it followed the telegraph wire of the International Ocean Telegraph Company. It later became Western Union.
It was also a stage coach route with a rest stop at Roach Pond. There was a stable with fresh horses, used as a relay station.
This street was later renamed Abshier Boulvard after the Abshier family, who came to Belleview in about 1884 from Missouri and Indiana. The first family member here was Dr. Alfred Abshier, who served as postmaster, school teacher, and practiced medicine. His wife was Nancy Ray Abshier.
A real estate business was started here by Roy Abshier, the son of Alfred Abshier, who was named for his grandfather, Dr. Alfred Abshier, who moved here in the 1880s to set up a medical practice. Later, this building became the home of Allstate Insurance.
The lot for construction of this church was donated by Marion Land & Improvement Company.
This church building was dedicated in 1952. It was designed by Donovan Dean of Lakeland and built by John Knope of Ocala. Earlier masses were conducted by Father William O'Farrell in the home of Belle Davis and in the city hall. This was a mission for Ocala priests until it became a full parish in 1966.
In 1910, before the construction of the overpass which now carries US 441/27 over the railroad tracks, located here was the Hotel Marion, operated by Alton Mason.
Belleview's ice house was built in 1919 and was located at this intersection.
This street was named after E.W. Agnew, a leading local merchant and vice president of the Marion Land and Improvement Company.
Oscar Mason Gale moved here from Canada in 1886 and built a small one-story house on the land directly behind this market. In 1890, he built another one block north of Lake Lillian.
The Belleview Lodge received its charter in 1892, but it dates back to earlier years. In 1887, the same members constituted the South Lake Wier Lodge and in 1890 they were the Pedro Masonic Lodge. The first Masonic Hall in Belleview was built here of wood, and burned in 1904. It was replaced by the present building.
This congregation organized in 1892 and erected a church building, which was rebuilt in 1946 by then-pastor Rev. O.V. Pinkston. The church has its own cemetery 700 feet north of here on the west side of the road.
When this house was built in 1912, it was considerably smaller. Walter and Jean Pierce remodeled it in 1982 to add an overhanging front porch and the wings at each end topped with the decorative fence.
This street is named after Alfred Stetson, who was the first mayor of Belleview when it incorporated on May 5, 1885.
This street is named after the Hames family, starting with J.T. and Clara Hames who moved here in 1904 from Gaffney, South Carolina. He served on the city commission and was elected mayor.
Located here was the first commercial ice cream parlor in Florida. It was operated by O.B. Silas, and later O.M. and Frank Gale ran it as the Gale and Son Store. It burned down in about 1929.
This rock building was formerly Belleview's third city hall, following the first school building and a wooden building on Robinson Rd. This structure later became the Belleview Funeral Home.
This library, the sixth oldest in Florida, was founded on November 26, 1886, at a meeting held in the schoolhouse. It was first located in the home of retired college professor George G. Bush. In that same home, he started a small college. The library later moved to the newspaper office of The Belleview Blade and the lobby of the Belleview Hotel.
In 1904, it moved into a new location, but the building and its contents burned down the next day. To prevent that from happening again, it was decided to build the library of stone.
The cornerstone was laid at this site, donated by the Marion Land and Development Company, on January 16, 1908, the same year that Ellen F. Bush donated 500 books. The completed building was dedicated on March 19, 1908. The masonry work was performed by W.W. Cole for $25.
In 1952, electric lights were added. In 1969, two large wings were added, leaving the stone building as the central room.
Marion Land & Improvement Company donated the land for this church site. The congregation used Lake Lillian for its early baptisms.
In 1909, the Belleview city jail was located here.
John F. Pelot moved to this area in 1854 from South Carolina. During the 1870s, he built this house. It is the oldest house standing in Belleview.
In 1942, it was acquired by Dr. Hanson, who treated patients on the first floor. Later owners include Martin and Shirley Ansbaugh and the Bairstow family.
This hotel was built in 1885. Later owners include Don Dane, and in later years has been operated as an apartment complex.
The Best Small Towns Under the Sun, by Robert J. Howard (EPM Publications, Inc. 1989)
Catholics of Marion County: A Record of the Growth of the Oldest Catholic Community in Central Florida, by Jane Quinn (Mission Press 1978)
Marion County Remembers: "Salty Crackers" Number Eight, by Sybil Browne Bray (1990)
Wish You Were Here: A Grand Tour of Early Florida Via Old Post Cards, by Hampton Dunn (Byron Kennedy and Company 1981)
Click here to see a copy of the trail rules.