This post is LONG overdue, since I took these photos back at the beginning of the summer. It’s been fun having Jimena as a new friend, because she’s new to Gainesville…which means I get to see it through a newbie’s eyes! She had friends visiting, and they Googled “top 10 things to do in Gainesville” to find some local attractions. And lo and behold, they stumbled upon a place I didn’t even know existed! The Historic Haile Homestead at Kanapaha Plantation has been there all along, and I never even heard of it! And what a weird, random, interesting little place it was. Apparently paper was scarce way back when, so the family WROTE ON THE WALLS. Yep, all over the house! They had guests sign the walls during parties, people drew pictures, they made grocery lists, and they even kept a tally of all their pieces of silverware. Totally bizarre and fascinating!

There is a guest list from a part on the right side photo…

See if you can spot the words on the right…”The house was briefly alive.” Umm…eerie!

1909!!