Ocala, Florida

Ocala, Florida
Ocala is a city in and the county seat of Marion County, Florida, United States. Located in North Florida, the city's population was 63,591 as of the 2020 census, making it the 54th-most populated city in Florida. Ocala is the principal city of the Ocala metropolitan area, which had a population of 375,908 in 2020.
Home to over 400 thoroughbred farms and training centers, Ocala is considered the "Horse Capital of the World". Notable attractions include the Ocala National Forest, Silver Springs State Park, Rainbow Springs State Park, the College of Central Florida, and the World Equestrian Center.
History
Ocala is named after Ocale (also Cale, Etocale, and other variants) a Timucua village and chiefdom recorded in the 16th century, the name of which is believed to mean "Big Hammock" in the Timucua language. Another possible meaning of the name is "song or singer of admiration or glorification". The Spaniard Hernando de Soto's expedition recorded Ocale in 1539 during his exploration through what is today the southeastern United States. The site of Ocale has not been found, but historians believe it was located in southwestern Marion County, near the Withlacoochee River. References to Ocale, Olagale, and Etoquale occur in 16th and early 17th century sources, but do not specify a location. A Spanish mission named San Luis de Eloquale was established by 1630. Milanich believes the mission was near the Withlacoochee River. Eloquale is not named in a 1655 list of missions, and Ocale (and its variants) disappears from history.
In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, Creek people and other Native Americans, and free and fugitive African Americans sought refuge in Florida. The Seminole people formed. After foreign colonial rule shifted between Spain and Great Britain and back again, in 1821 the United States acquired the territory of Florida. After warfare to the north, in 1827 the U.S. Army built Fort King near the present site of Ocala as a buffer between the Seminole, who had long occupied the area, and white settlers moving into the region. The fort was an important base during the Second Seminole War and later served in 1844 as the first courthouse for Marion County.
The modern city of Ocala, which was established in 1849, developed around the fort site. Greater Ocala is known as the "Kingdom of the Sun". Plantations and other agricultural development dependent on slave labor were prevalent in the region. Ocala was an important center of citrus production until the Great Freeze of 1894–1895. During the Reconstruction era Ocala was represented by several African Americans in the Florida House of Representatives and on the local level.
Rail service reached Ocala in June 1881, encouraging economic development with greater access to markets for produce. Two years later, much of the Ocala downtown area was destroyed by fire on Thanksgiving Day, 1883. The city encouraged rebuilding with brick, granite and steel rather than lumber. By 1888, Ocala was known statewide as "The Brick City".
In December 1890, the Farmers' Alliance and Industrial Union, a forerunner of the Populist Party, held its national convention in Ocala. At the convention, the Alliance adopted a platform that would become known as the "Ocala Demands". This platform included abolition of national banks, promoting low-interest government loans, free and unlimited coinage of silver, reclamation of excess railroad lands by the government, a graduated income tax, and direct election of United States senators. Most of the "Ocala Demands" were to become part of the Populist Party platform.
In the last decades of the twentieth century, the greater Ocala area had one of the highest growth rates in the country for a city its size.
Ocala Historic District
Many historic homes are preserved in Ocala's large residential Historic District, designated in 1984. East Fort King Street features many excellent examples of Victorian architecture. Ocala structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places include the Coca-Cola Building, the E. C. Smith House, East Hall, the Marion Hotel, Mount Zion A.M.E. Church, the Ritz Historic Inn, and Union Train Station.
The original Fort King site was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2004.
Geography
Ocala is located at .
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land. The surrounding farms are famous for their thoroughbred horses, in terrain similar to Kentucky bluegrass. Ocala is also known for nearby Silver Springs, site of one of the largest artesian spring formations in the world and Silver Springs Nature Theme Park, one of the earliest tourist attractions in Florida.
The long Ocklawaha River passes east of Ocala, flowing north from Central Florida until it joins the St. Johns River near Palatka.
Marion County is also home to the Ocala National Forest which was established in 1908 and is now the second largest national forest in the state. The Florida Trail, also known as the Florida National Scenic Trail, cuts through Ocala National Forest. Silver Springs State Park was formed as Silver River State Park in 1987, out of land the state purchased around the Silver Springs attraction to spare it from development. The state took over Silver Springs itself in 1993 and incorporated it into the park in 2013.
Climate
Ocala has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa), with hot, humid summers and mild winters.
Demographics
Ocala first appeared in the 1850 U.S. Census, with a total recorded population of 243. Ocala did not report separately in 1860.
2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 63,591 people, 23,893 households, and 13,239 families residing in the city.
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 56,315 people, 21,722 households, and 12,945 families residing in the city.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 45,943 people, 18,646 households, and 11,280 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 20,501 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 72.9% White, 22.1% African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.2% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.8% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.7% of the population.
In 2000, there were 18,646 households. 40.9% were married couples living together, 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.5% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.91.
In 2000, in the city the population was spread out, with 23.2% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 20.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.
Economy
The median income for a household in the city was $30,888, and the median income for a family was $38,190. Males had a median income of $29,739 versus $24,367 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,021. About 13.2% of families and 18.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.6% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.
Ocala is the headquarters of Emergency One, a worldwide designer and manufacturer of fire rescue vehicles.
Top employers
According to Ocala's 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:
Culture
Horses have a prominent role in Ocala's cultural makeup. The first thoroughbred horse farm in Florida was developed in Marion County in 1943 by Carl G. Rose. Other farms were developed, making Ocala the center of a horse-breeding area. Local horses have won individual races of the Triple Crown series; in 1978, Affirmed, who was bred and trained in Marion County, won all three races, boosting interest in the industry there.
Ocala is one of only five cities (four in the US and one in France) permitted under Chamber of Commerce guidelines to use the title, "Horse Capital of the World", based on annual revenue produced by the horse industry. 44,000 jobs are sustained by breeding, training, and related support of the equine industry, which generates over $2.2 billion in annual revenue. Postime Farms and Ocala serve as host to one of the largest horse shows in the country: H.I.T.S or "Horses in the Sun", a Dressage/Jumper event lasting about two months. It generates some 6 to 7 million dollars for the local Marion County economy each year. The show features classes for over 100 different breeds, including Tennessee Walker, Paso Fino, Morgan horse, Saddlebred, Draft horse and the American Quarter Horse. Other equine events in the area include mounted shooting by the Florida Outlaws, as well as endurance rides, barrel races, extreme cowboy events, jumper shows, trick shows, parades, draft pulls, rodeo events and more. In 2022, Ocala was the site of the inaugural point-to-point Florida Steeplechase at the Florida Horse Park.
Government and politics
Ocala is governed by a five-member board of councillors and a mayor, all of which are elected on a nonpartisan basis. It has a council-manager form of government, relying on a manager hired by the city. The mayor sets policy but has few powers other than vetoing legislation passed by the council and tending to some duties involving the police department. The current mayor is Kent Guinn. The city manager handles most administrative and financial matters.
A number of county offices are housed at the McPherson Governmental Complex.
As of 2020, Republicans outnumber Democrats in Marion County, 112,000 to 80,000. In the 2008 presidential election, John McCain carried both the city and the county, the latter by a landslide, although Florida as a whole voted for Democrat Barack Obama by a narrow margin.
Education
The public schools in Ocala are run by the Marion County School Board. There are 30 elementary, ten middle and ten public high schools in Marion County, which include the following schools in Ocala:
Elementary schools
Anthony Elementary School
College Park Elementary School
Dr. N. H. Jones Elementary School
Eighth Street Elementary School
Evergreen Elementary School (closed in May 2021)
Greenway Elementary School
Ward-Highlands Elementary School
Wyomina Park Elementary School
Emerald Shores Elementary School
Fessenden Elementary School
Fort McCoy School (K–8)
Hammett Bowen Jr. Elementary School
Madison Street Academy of Visual and Performing Arts (Magnet)
Maplewood Elementary School
Marion Oaks Elementary School
Oakcrest Elementary School
Ocala Springs Elementary School
Reddick-Collier Elementary School
Saddlewood Elementary School
Shady Hill Elementary School
South Ocala Elementary School
Sparr Elementary School
Sunrise Elementary School
Middle schools
Fort King
Howard
Liberty Middle School
Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks (5–8)
Osceola Middle School
North Marion Middle School
High schools
Forest High School
Marion Technical Institute
Vanguard High School
West Port High School
Francis Marion Military Academy (now closed)
North Marion High School
Lake Weir High School
Private schools
Ambleside School Of Ocala grades K–8
Blessed Trinity School grades K–9
Children's Palace East & Academy grades K–2
The Cornerstone School grades PK–8
Crossroads Academy grades 3–12
Grace Academy Grades K–2
Grace Christian School grades PK–8
Meadowbrook Academy grades K–12
Montessori Preparatory School grades K–5
New Generation School grades K–12
Ocala Christian Academy grades PK–12
Ocean's High School grades PK–12
Promiseland Academy grades K–7
First Assembly Christian School grades K–12
The Reading Clinic grades 2–6
Redeemer Christian School grades K3–12
The Rock Academy grades PK–9
The School of the Kingdom grades 1–12
Shiloh SDA Church School
Belleview Christian Academy grades PK–12
St John Lutheran School grades PK–12
Trinity Catholic grades 9–12
Colleges and universities
Ocala is home to the College of Central Florida, a member of the Florida College System, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. CF offers bachelor's degrees in Business and Organizational Management, Early Childhood Education, and Nursing, as well as associate degrees and certificates. The college offers specialty programs in equine studies, agribusiness, and logistics and supply chain management. It also has one of 21 campuses of Rasmussen College, a Higher Learning Commission regionally accredited post secondary institution. Webster University offers on-site, regionally accredited graduate degree programs in business and counseling at their Ocala Metropolitan Campus.
Libraries
Three of the eight libraries in the Marion County Public Library System are located in Ocala. Those three libraries are:
Freedom Public Library
Marion Oaks Public Library
Ocala Public Library – Headquarters for the Marion County Public Library System.
Transportation
Several major highways pass through Ocala, including Interstate 75, U.S. Highway 27, U.S. Route 301, and U.S. Highway 441. Ocala was on the western leg of the historic Dixie Highway.
Interstate 75 runs north and south across the western edge of the city, with interchanges at SR 200 (exit 350), SR 40 (exit 352), and US 27 (exit 354).
U.S. Route 27 runs north and south throughout Ocala. It is multiplexed with US 301 and 441 until it reaches SR 492(Northwest 10th Street), then makes a sharp turn onto NW 10th Street then curves northwest through Williston, Perry, Tallahassee, and beyond.
U.S. Route 301 is the main local north and south road through Ocala. It is multiplexed with US 27 until it reaches Northwest 10th Street, and with US 441 throughout the city.
U.S. Route 441 is the main local north and south road through Ocala. It is multiplexed with US 27 until it reaches Northwest 10th Street, and with US 301 throughout the city.
State Road 492 runs east and west through the northern part of the city from the northern terminus of the US 27 multiplex with US 301–441 to SR 40 just southwest of the Silver Springs city limit.
State Road 40 runs east and west through Ocala. It spans from Rainbow Lakes Estates through Ocala National Forest to Ormond Beach in Volusia County, although a bi-county extension exists, spanning from Yankeetown in Levy County to Dunnellon, south of the western terminus of SR 40.
State Road 464 runs east and west from SR 200 through the southeastern part of the city. Beyond the city limits, it continues southeast towards State Road 35, and continues as County Road 464.
State Road 200 runs northeast and southwest from Hernando in Citrus County through US 27-301-441 where it becomes a "hidden state road" along US 301 until it reaches Callahan, and is multiplexed with SR A1A into Fernandina Beach.
Ocala International Airport provides general aviation services to the community. Ocala Suntran provides bus service throughout select parts of the city. One of the major hubs for Suntran is the former Ocala Union Station, which served Amtrak trains until November 2004. Amtrak serves Ocala by bus connection to Jacksonville and Lakeland.
Ocala is also served by Greyhound Bus Lines. Marion Transit is the complementary ADA paratransit service for SunTran the fixed route in the City of Ocala. Marion Transit was established in 1976 and operates paratransit buses providing public transportation throughout Marion County for the Transportation Disadvantaged population.
Healthcare
Hospitals in Ocala include: AdventHealth Ocala, HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital.
Notable people
Antonio Allen, NFL player
Arthur I. Appleton, businessman, racehorse owner
Elizabeth Ashley, actress
Tony Beckham, NFL cornerback
Thelma Berlack Boozer, journalist, publicist
Brittany Bowe, Olympic speed skater
Emery N. Brown, Anesthesiologist and Neuroscientist
Farris Bryant, former Governor
Daunte Culpepper, NFL quarterback
James Dean, first African-American judge in Florida
Caydee Denney, figure skater
Haven Denney, figure skater
Drayton Florence, NFL cornerback
Dory Funk Jr., professional wrestler
Don Garlits, professional drag racer
Santana Garrett, professional wrestler
Joey Gilmore, blues musician
Troy Glaus, former Major League Baseball player
Mitch Harris, Major League Baseball pitcher
Josh Hart (racer), professional drag racer
Erin Jackson, Olympic gold medalist speed skater
Lee James, Olympic weightlifter 1976 silver medalist
Val James, professional ice hockey player
Eddie Johnson, NBA basketball player
Frank Johnson, NBA basketball player
John R. MacDougall, broadcast hijacker best known for the Captain Midnight broadcast signal intrusion
Buddy MacKay, former governor of Florida
Travis Mays, NBA basketball player
Jeremy McKinnon, musician
Chris Meffert, politician
James Melton, opera singer
Eugene Milton, NFL football player
Maxey Dell Moody, businessman
Slomon Moody, physician and farmer
Steve Morse, composer/guitarist
Reid Nichols, Major League Baseball player
Martha O'Driscoll, actress
Patrick O'Neal, actor
Ted Potter Jr., professional golfer
Kelly Preston, actress
Jason Schappert, flight instructor
Elisa Rae Shupe, US Army sergeant, first in the US to obtain legal recognition of a non-binary gender
Lamar Thomas, NFL player and commentator
Mava Lee Thomas, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
John Travolta, actor
Jim Williams, former lieutenant governor of Florida
P. J. Williams, NFL cornerback for the New Orleans Saints
Walter Ray Williams Jr., professional PBA bowler
Tyrone Young, NFL wide receiver
Notable musical groups
A Day to Remember, pop-punk/metalcore band
The Royal Guardsmen, band originating in the 1960s
Seventh Star, Christian metalcore band
Wage War, metalcore band
Underoath, metalcore band
Sister cities
Ocala has two sister cities:
Newbridge, County Kildare, in Ireland (2008)
Pisa and San Rossore in Italy (2004)
See also
Appleton Museum of Art
Emergency Medical Services Alliance
Jumbolair Airport
List of sites and peoples visited by the Hernando de Soto Expedition
Ocala National Forest
Sholom Park
Star–Banner
United Hebrews of Ocala
References
External links
City of Ocala, Florida
Historic Ocala Preservation Society
Ocala Banner, the East Florida Banner, and the Southern Sun, historical newspapers serving Ocala, Florida, full text and images openly online in the Florida Digital Newspaper Library
Ocala/Marion Chamber of Commerce
1836 establishments in Florida Territory
Cities in Florida
Cities in Marion County, Florida
County seats in Florida
Populated places established in 1836