Micanopy is a town in Alachua County, in the U.S. state of Florida. It is in north-central Florida, between Gainesville and Ocala. The 2020 United States census counted 648 people living in the town.
Micanopy is a town in Alachua County, in the U.S. state of Florida. It is in north-central Florida, between Gainesville and Ocala. The 2020 United States census counted 648 people living in the town.
People lived in the area before the modern town was built. The National Park Service says that Creek people from Georgia, later known as Seminoles, founded a town at the site, probably in the 1740s. American settlers moved into the area in the early 1800s. The town became known as Micanopy and was named for Micanopy, a Seminole chief.
An American settlement at the site was started in 1821. A post office called Wanton opened in 1826. Its name was changed to Micanopy in 1834. Micanopy was the first place where the Alachua County government was based. Fort Micanopy was also there during the Second Seminole War.
During the second half of the 1800s, Micanopy became a busy market town and a center for growing oranges. Very cold weather in 1894 and 1895 destroyed many of the orange groves. The Micanopy Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Micanopy covers about 1.03 square miles. It is near the border between Alachua County and Marion County. U.S. Highway 441 is east of the town, while Interstate 75 is west of it.
Micanopy Area Cooperative School is a charter school for children from pre-kindergarten through grade 7. Micanopy Academy is a public charter school for grades 6 through 12.