Welcome to the Boomtown of the 1890s

Founded in 1887, Dunnellon became a wild boomtown in 1889, when the first hard-rock phosphate in the state of Florida was discovered here. As the phosphate mining industry “boomed” and more people settled here, residents sought a more structured form of government. The town of Dunnellon, named for a local lawyer-turned-banker John F. Dunn, was incorporated in 1891 in the southwest corner of Marion County.

2023 Board of Directors

Judy - Executive Director

Judy Terwilliger

Executive Director
Wanda Nagovich

Wanda Nagovich

Treasurer
Dave Fowler

Dave Fowler

Board Member
Joanne Black

Joanne Black

President
Joe Faino

Joe Faino

Financial Manager
Geoff Gascay

Geff Gascay

Board Member
Michelle Wooten

Michelle Wooten

Vice President
Eric Sokolsky

Eric Sokolsky

Board Member

Cindy Canter

Board Member
David Rojas

David Rojas

Secretary
Ruff Pennington

Ruff Pennington

Board Member

Julie Mancini

Board Member

2023 Board of Directors

Judy - Executive Director

Judy Terwilliger

Executive Director
Joanne Black

Joanne Black

President
Michelle Wooten

Michelle Wooten

Vice President
David Rojas

David Rojas

Secretary
Wanda Nagovich

Wanda Nagovich

Treasurer
Joe Faino

Joe Faino

Financial Manager
Eric Sokolsky

Eric Sokolsky

Board Member
Dave Fowler

Dave Fowler

Board Member
Geoff Gascay

Geff Gascay

Board Member
Ruff Pennington

Ruff Pennington

Board Member

Julie Mancini

Board Member

Cindy Canter

Board Member

Dunnellon’s Historic Train Depot

Dunnellon was platted as a railroad town in 1890. The train depot you see today was built along South Williams Street by the Atlantic Coast Line in 1908. Dunnellon became a hub for the railroad used to transport phosphate to processing plants in other parts of the state. The railroad’s emergence also led the local timber industry to thrive.

Two Atlantic Coast Line Railroad lines and one Seaboard Air Line Railroad used to pass through Dunnellon, carrying passengers, phosphate, timber, produce and cargo. Decades of stories exist of youngsters crowding the station to get a glimpse of what the trains were carrying. Today only one ACL line exists, used by the Florida Northern Railroad, carrying freight to the power plant in Red Level in Citrus County.

There are approximately 70 restored buildings in Dunnellon’s Boomtown Historic District today.

Visit: http://www.dunnellondepot.com/ for more information.

Dunnellon Today

Dunnellon’s two rivers, the Rainbow and the Withlacoochee, and its extensive trail system provide the backbone for ecotourism, which brings tourists here to enjoy activities such as fishing, kayaking, tubing, diving, hiking, biking, horseback riding and bird watching. The historic downtown is host to opportunities for shopping for antiques and art, and eating out at many of the town’s quaint family owned restaurants. Whether you enjoy fun in the sun, history and heritage, or shopping and eating, Dunnellon is the perfect place for your next adventure.

Chamber Membership

According to Jeri Vespoli, chamber and business development consultant at Collaborative Marketing Services, “Local chambers of commerce are businesses joined together to improve their value, visibility, and credibility; share news, ideas, and best practices; [. . .] and become better connected with the markets they serve and the resources they need to serve them.”

Being a member of the Dunnellon Chamber and Business Association has many benefits that can boost your business.

Visit our Blog for more information