The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1909-05-21
&OCALA&
TheBanner City of the
Banner County of the
Banner State.


The name is a modification of the ear
ly Indian application, "Ocaly," mean
ip- fair country" o. land of p3en-
ty."
Ocala is the market town ard ship
ping point for one of the richest agri-
cultural, horticultural and mineral dis
tricts of the south.
Here may be found else some of the !
largest and richest truck farms to be |
found in the state, together with the
most valuable deposits of phosphate,
kaolin, Ochre, lime and brick clay
Healthfulness-Ocala is commended
by the best medical authorities as a
resot for all sufferers from all pull
monary complaints, rheumatism, govt,
nervous prostration. etc. The city
with its high altitude upon the back
bone of the peninsula receives the re
freshing breezes of both the gulr and
the ocean, which, laden with the res
nous OdOr of the pine wood, en-
nance the salubrity of a naturally
mild, equable and healthful climate
The city is free from the visitation of
yellow fever or kindred plaques, and
pulmonary diseases, sunstrokes and
r-bies are unknown. The summers
are delightful, and many prefer to
+ stay here than in the north.
Temperature, (Winter)-The mean
temperature of Ocala in winter is 60
to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer
The summer temperature ranges from
75 TO 81 degrees, rarely going above
80 degrees. Rainy SeasOn-From
about the middle of July until the lat
ter part of September there are usual
~ daily showers of brief duration,
which tend to cool the atmosphere.
Winter Resort-Ocala is famous as
a winter resort for those who wish to
escape the wintry blasts of the north.
Being inland, there are no harsh cold
winds, the climate being pleasant and
balmy Its Decembers, Januarys and
Februarys are similar to the month
of June in the middle west. The
Ocala House and Montezuma Hotel
are the principal hotels OF the city.
Banking FaciIities-Ocala boasts of
two banks-The Munroe G. Cham
bliss Bank, capitalfi $4,000, and the
Commercial Bank, capital, $4,000.
Telephone-The Ocala Telephone
Company was organized in 1894 with a
capital stock of $4,000. The stock
of the company is owned by local res
ldents, and Mr.. George r. Mexican is
the principal stOckhOlder and mana
ger The system reaches over 100
points in Marion and adjacent coun-
ties, and has over 800 local subscrib-
ers.
churehes-Ocala has several good
churches, the following denominations
being represented: Baptist. Episcopal,
Methodist, Presbyterian, Catholic,
Jewish and Christian All occupy edi-
fees of their own, and have good siz-
ed memberships.
EducationaI-Ocala has an excel
lent high school and primary school.
A new primary school has just been
completed on South Third street The
corps of teachers is excellent, and the
enrolment numberG over 500.
Electric Light-The city owns its
light plant and operates the same
profitably, the streets being well light
ed at practically no cost to the mu-
nicipality. The plant represents an
investment of 1000, and the income
is S20.7S0 per annum, while the op-
Grating expenses are s1O,176. leaving
anet revenue to the city of $1,000, to
be applied to the sinking fund to Ii
Quidate the outstanding electric light
bonds, and apply on the current run
ming expenses of the city.
The equipment consists OF 80 miles
of feed wire. two 100 X. W. A. c..
Westinghouse dynamOs, and one so
High A. c. arc dynamo both being di-
rectly connected with two las horse
power Harrisburg engines. Wood is
the fuel used There are about 800
patrons TO the plant, and the charges
are 10 cents per killOwatt for incan-
descent lights and 8 cents for power
The plant has sufficient capacity to
care for 200 additional patrons.
Fire Department-Ocala has an eff
fcient fire department that will COM
pare favorably with any city of like
size in the country. The fire station,
which is of brick. and centrally lOcat- |
ed, cost $4,000. There are three paid |
men on the force and an auxiliary
force Of seventeen men who are paid |
only when they assist at fires. The
telephone is used as an alarm system /
AS result of the good work of the /
department. no fire of any conse- |
ouence has occurred in the city for |
several years.
The equipment consists of four
horses, chemical engine. two hose
trucks. hook and ladder. 5000 feet of !
hose and other miscellaneous euuip-
menI which represents an outlay of |
$3.50. A large fire bell is mounted in
the station tower which is sounded
as an alarm in case of fire. and again
when the fire is out
Gss-The Citizens Gas. Heat. Light
and Power Company was organized
some fourteen years ago for the pur-
pose OF furnishing gas for heat. power
and Illumination The Citizens Gas
Company, as IL is now known. owns
thre- and one-half miles of mains.
TIE price for illumination is 81 per
l0C0 feet and that of fuel gas is
= 50 per 1000 feet The gas is made
OF crude oil