Can someone give me any information on this home for disabled children? I am researching an uncle (age 8yrs, Jennings Earl Whaley) that was sent there around 1937 and died there in 1940. I have gotten his death certificate but I was wondering if there was anyway to locate and get records that might have come from there on the patients. Any help would be appreciated.

Dorinda?,
I grew up in Gainesville, Florida. The Florida Farm Colony was later changed to Sunland Training Center. I believe it is now called Tacachale.(It's I think the largest in Florida and oldest being opened in 1921.) It is locared on Waldo Rd. in Gainesville, Florida. I think it now falls under the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD of Florida). You might try the ARC of Alachua County, ARC Florida and/or ARC of the United States.
Good Luck!
Anita Benton Billups jimani7 @ aol . com

Anita, thank you for your help. I will check that out.

When I was a child in the late 40's and early 50's I lived directly accross the highway from the Florida Farm Colony. I don't know how to get the information you seek but there was a name change to the facility. I don't remember the year but it was named The Sunland Training Center. The highway I mentioned is State Route 24 that runs between Gainesville and Waldo. It was also called in Gainesville, the Waldo Road. Most of the patients at that time were Mongoloid.

At one point in its history this institution was called the Sunniland Training Center for the Feeble-Minded. It is now called Tacachale, from a Timucuan Indian word meaning "light a new fire".

Tacachale is an agency of the Florida State Government, administered by the Department of Children and Families. From their website:

"Tacachale is the oldest and largest community for the developmentally disabled in Florida. It is a progressive community dedicated to offering its residents the opportunities and services which respect and encourage their personal choices, enhance their quality of life, and maximize their individual potential."

It has a large and attractive campus with cottages and other buildings scattered around the lawns. I drive by it twice a day on my way to and from work.

Mary

I read your surname list and am curious if you have a Onna M. Faircloth (1908 - 1975) in your database or his parents H.L. & Hattie or his children Margaret Estelle, Jacqueline Faye, and Onna M Faircloth, II, or his wife, Candace (Parrish)?

Thank you,
Ann

Sorry, I'm afraid not.

I work at what is now called Tacachale, it it a division of the APD. It no longer accepts children and many of the residents have lived there since childhood. Many employees have been there 30+ years. If you have any questions let me know :)

Thank you for the post. My mother's little brother Earl Jennings Whaley was placed there around 1937. He died June 18, 1940 at age eleven. I don't suppose that any of the records from that time period have survived. Might I get you to take a photograph of the facility if there are any old buildings standing. I will be happy to pay your for your trouble.

I wouldn't know which building to photograph! Most of the buildings are still in use, a few homes are gone. The administration building is beautiful, there is a lot of history still standing. The old smokestacks are quite a sight as well. Just last week a woman passed away who had been there since the 1920s, it really is an amazing place. I would be happy to take a picture on my phone and email it to you.