GREENVILLE, FLORIDA

Greenville, Florida is 44 miles east of Tallahassee on US-90 and Interstate 10. It has a population of about 793 and is 14 miles west of Madison.

Ray Charles

The iconic musician Ray Charles spent some of his boyhood years in Greenville.

Sandy Ford was the name given the community first established here in 1850. 

The name was changed to Station Five during the Civil War.  This was in reference to its location as the fifth station east of the state capital, Tallahassee, on the Pensacola and Georgia Railroad.

Greenville City Hall

The railroad reached Station Five in 1858, a few years before the Civil War, and continued east to Lake City.

During the Civil War the women of this community formed a sewing society and sewed uniforms and other cloth supplies for Confederate Soldiers. 

The first box of supplies mailed to the Confederate capital of Richmond was marked as coming from Station Five.  

The quartermaster of the Confederate Army wrote the women and said the packages in the future would have to be given in the name of a town.

The women decided to name the town Greenville in honor of the hometown in South Carolina of the sewing society president, Mrs. U. M. Roberts.

The Town of Greenville was incorporated in 1907.

Greenville is a typical small Florida country town with one big difference:  it honors the memory of one of its own, the great Ray Charles.

Ray Charles Statue in Greenville Park

Ray Charles Robinson was born in 1930 in Albany, Georgia. His mother, Aretha, was only 15 years old when he was born.

After Ray's birth, she left Georgia with her son to be with her family in Greenville.  Charles was deeply devoted to his mother.

There was a restaurant in Greenville when Ray was a child known as Wylie Pitman's Red Wing Cafe.  When Ray was three years old he heard Pitman playing boogie woogie on a piano and loved the music.

Wylie Pitman taught Ray how to play the piano, and he and his mother spent a lot of time at the cafe.

Ray began losing his sight when he was four or five years old, and by the age of seven he was completely blind.  His mother searched for a school that would accept a blind black student.

The school that accepted him was the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine.  Ray attended the school from 1937 to 1945.

While at the school he learned how to play classical piano including the music of Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven.

Entrance to Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, St. Augustine

A bronze statue of Ray Charles is displayed in Greenville's Haffye Hayes Park.  The statue was carved and donated by local residents Bradley Cooley and Brad Cooper Jr.

Ray Charles Boyhood Home

The restored boyhood home of Ray Charles has been converted into a museum honoring the famous musician who won 17 Grammy awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Grace Manor Bed and Breakfast

The Grace Manor Bed and Breakfast is located in the historic Bishop-Andrews Hotel, a charming Queen Anne Victorian building that is the centerpiece of downtown Greenville.

The inn has several nicely furnished rooms and suites as well as a fully furnished two bedroom guest cottage.

Learn more at Grace Manor Inn.

Downtown Greenville by the Railroad Tracks

Greenville has an assortment of businesses typical of a small North Florida town of less than a thousand people.

The main road through town is US-90 that stretches across the entire state of Florida.  There is a Dollar General store on this highway, two or three gas stations with convenience stores, and two churches.

A well regarded local restaurant, Charlie's Kitchen, is also located on the main highway.

THINGS TO DO IN GREENVILLE, FLORIDA

Ray Charles Plaza 
Haffye Hays Park,140 Broad St, Greenville, FL 32331 
 
As discussed earlier on this page, a visit to Greenville wouldn't be complete without paying homage to its most famous son, Ray Charles, at the Ray Charles Plaza located in Haffye Hays Park. This memorial celebrates the life and music of the legendary musician with a life-sized bronze statue of Charles playing a piano. It's our favorite spot for music lovers and those inspired by Charles's incredible journey from humble beginnings in Greenville to international stardom. 
 
Greenville Heritage Walking Trail 
Starts at Haffye Hays Park, 140 Broad St, Greenville, FL 32331 
 
Explore the rich history of Greenville by taking a leisurely stroll along the Heritage Walking Trail. This self-guided tour takes you through the town's historic district, where you'll encounter charming century-old homes, the Greenville Train Depot, and several other landmarks that tell the story of this community's past. It’s a perfect activity for those who enjoy taking a step back in time and appreciating the architecture and stories that shaped Greenville. 
 
Monticello Opera House 
185 W Washington St, Monticello, FL 32344 | (850) 997-4242 
 
Just around 16 miles from Greenville, the Monticello Opera House is a cultural gem where visitors can enjoy live theater, music, and community events in a beautifully restored historic building. The Opera House's calendar is packed with performances that cater to a wide range of tastes, making it a great evening out for those looking to experience local arts and entertainment. It is listed on the National Register. 
 
Charlie's Kitchen
13757 US-90, Greenville, FL 32331 | (850) 948-2101

As mentioned earlier on this page.