Traxler, Florida

Back in August, JOM of Gravel Cyclist mentioned to me that he'd ridden past the sign for Traxler many times, but that he'd never actually explored Traxler itself.

My response was, "What's Traxler?"

Well, as it turns out, not all that much.

Traxler was a small community founded by William H. Traxler in the late 1800s in northern Alachua county along the Bellamy Road. It was a cotton farming community, and life there revolved around the Traxler farm. In addition to the farm buildings and homes, there was also a general store, a US post office (which operated from 1891 to 1906), and a church. These days, there's little there other than the church and a few homes, mostly of modern vintage. The construction of I-75 may have obliterated outlying parts of the former community, but at this point in time, it's hard to tell.

Note Traxler's location along the Old Bellamy Road
(and, less fortunately, its current proximity to I-75)
The turn-off for Traxler from 253A; this section of road was once part of the Bellamy Road.
Old Bellamy Road leading into Traxler
Spring Hill United Methodist Church

The inscription reads: "TRAXLER, FLA This community was named Traxler in the late 1800s when William H. Traxler and Mary Dell Traxler operated a large trading center and US Post Office here. This memorial given in memory of their daughter, EVA TRAXLER"

Many Traxlers reside in the cemetery of the Spring Hill United Methodist Church
There really wasn't much to see in Traxler aside from the church. There were a handful of modern houses, and one older home, quite likely dating from the founding of the community. I didn't photograph it, as there were people out in its yard and that would have been a tad awkward. Ghosttowns.com does, however, have a picture of the house, which they've labeled as the Traxler plantation home. They've also got a shot of the old Traxler General Store, which I was unable to locate.

From CR 236 up by the interstate, one can peer over a locked gate at this, which looks to me to be more of the Old Bellamy Road, headed straight from CR236 just east of the interstate towards Traxler. Or it could be an old driveway headed towards the Traxler farm.
There's very little online about Traxler, but what little I could locate is here: Wikipedia: Traxler, FL GhostTowns.com: Traxler, FL Waymarking.com: Traxler, FL
There are a plethora of resources out there on the Old Bellamy Road, but here are a few: Wikipedia: Bellamy Road ExploreSouthernHistory.com: Old Bellamy Road FarEnoughPhoto: Old Bellamy Road