City in Florida, United States
Ocala, Florida
|
---|
|
Top, left to right: Downtown Ocala, horse on a farm,
Marion Hotel
, Marion Theatre
|
Seal
|
Nickname(s):
"Horse Capital of the World"
"Brick City"
[1]
[2]
|
Motto:
"God Be With Us"
|
Interactive map of Ocala
|
Coordinates:
29°11′16″N
82°7′50″W
/
29.18778°N 82.13056°W
/
29.18778; -82.13056
|
Country
| United States
|
---|
State
| Florida
|
---|
County
| Marion
|
---|
Founded
| 1849
|
---|
Incorporated (town)
| February 4, 1869
|
---|
Incorporated (city)
| January 28, 1885
|
---|
|
? Type
| Council?Manager
|
---|
?
Mayor
| Ben Marciano
|
---|
?
Councilmembers
| Barry Mansfield,
Kristen Dreyer,
Jay Musleh,
James Hilty, Sr., and
Ire J. Bethea, Sr.
|
---|
?
City Manager
| Peter Lee
|
---|
?
City Clerk
| Angel B. Jacobs
|
---|
?
City Attorney
| William E. Sexton
|
---|
|
?
City
| 47.79 sq mi (122.42 km
2
)
|
---|
? Land
| 47.78 sq mi (122.40 km
2
)
|
---|
? Water
| 0.01 sq mi (0.01 km
2
)
|
---|
Elevation
| 69 ft (21 m)
|
---|
|
?
City
| 63,591
|
---|
? Estimate
| 65,478
|
---|
? Rank
| US: 586th
FL:
43rd
|
---|
? Density
| 1,386.0/sq mi (535.0/km
2
)
|
---|
?
Urban
| 182,647 (US:
202nd
)
|
---|
? Urban density
| 1,460.9/sq mi (564.0/km
2
)
|
---|
?
Metro
| 396,415 (US:
138th
)
|
---|
? Metro density
| 249.6/sq mi (96.36/km
2
)
|
---|
Time zone
| UTC?5
(
Eastern (EST)
)
|
---|
? Summer (
DST
)
| UTC?4
(EDT)
|
---|
ZIP Codes
| 34470-34483
|
---|
Area code
| 352
|
---|
FIPS code
| 12-50750
|
---|
GNIS
feature ID
| 0288030
[4]
|
---|
Sales tax
| 7.0%
[7]
|
---|
Website
| ocalafl.gov
|
---|
Ocala
(
oh-
KAL
-?
) is a city in and the
county seat
of
Marion County, Florida
, United States.
[8]
Located in
North Central Florida
, the city's population was 63,591 as of the
2020 census
, up from 56,315 at the 2010 census,
[5]
making it the
43rd-most populated city
in Florida. Ocala is the principal city of the
Ocala, Florida Metropolitan Statistical 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".
[9]
[10]
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
[
edit
]
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
.
[11]
Another possible meaning of the name is "song or singer of admiration or glorification".
[12]
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
.
[13]
[14]
References to Ocale, Olagale, and Etoquale occur in 16th and early 17th century sources, but do not specify a location.
[13]
[15]
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.
[16]
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
.
[17]
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".
[18]
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.
[19]
[20]
[21]
During the
Reconstruction era
Ocala was represented by several African Americans in the Florida House of Representatives and on the local level.
[22]
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".
[1]
[2]
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.
[
citation needed
]
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.
[
citation needed
]
Ocala Historic District
[
edit
]
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
[
edit
]
Ocala is located at
29°11′16″N
82°07′50″W
/
29.187704°N 82.130613°W
/
29.187704; -82.130613
.
[23]
According to the
United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 47.79 square miles (123.8 km
2
), 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 110-mile (180 km) long
Ocklawaha River
passes 10 miles (16 km) 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.
[24]
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.
[25]
Climate
[
edit
]
Ocala has a
humid subtropical climate
(
Cfa
), with hot, humid summers and mild winters.
Climate data for Ocala, Florida, 1991?2020 normals, extremes 1893?present
|
Month
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Year
|
Record high °F (°C)
|
88
(31)
|
90
(32)
|
97
(36)
|
98
(37)
|
102
(39)
|
105
(41)
|
104
(40)
|
103
(39)
|
101
(38)
|
98
(37)
|
94
(34)
|
90
(32)
|
105
(41)
|
Mean maximum °F (°C)
|
81.9
(27.7)
|
84.0
(28.9)
|
87.3
(30.7)
|
90.8
(32.7)
|
95.1
(35.1)
|
96.8
(36.0)
|
96.6
(35.9)
|
95.8
(35.4)
|
94.2
(34.6)
|
90.8
(32.7)
|
86.3
(30.2)
|
82.3
(27.9)
|
98.0
(36.7)
|
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)
|
70.6
(21.4)
|
73.7
(23.2)
|
78.6
(25.9)
|
83.9
(28.8)
|
88.9
(31.6)
|
91.0
(32.8)
|
92.0
(33.3)
|
91.6
(33.1)
|
89.5
(31.9)
|
84.3
(29.1)
|
77.2
(25.1)
|
72.2
(22.3)
|
82.8
(28.2)
|
Daily mean °F (°C)
|
58.1
(14.5)
|
61.0
(16.1)
|
65.3
(18.5)
|
70.7
(21.5)
|
76.4
(24.7)
|
80.7
(27.1)
|
82.1
(27.8)
|
82.0
(27.8)
|
79.9
(26.6)
|
73.5
(23.1)
|
65.4
(18.6)
|
60.3
(15.7)
|
71.3
(21.8)
|
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)
|
45.6
(7.6)
|
48.4
(9.1)
|
52.1
(11.2)
|
57.4
(14.1)
|
63.9
(17.7)
|
70.4
(21.3)
|
72.2
(22.3)
|
72.5
(22.5)
|
70.3
(21.3)
|
62.7
(17.1)
|
53.5
(11.9)
|
48.3
(9.1)
|
59.8
(15.4)
|
Mean minimum °F (°C)
|
27.1
(?2.7)
|
29.3
(?1.5)
|
33.5
(0.8)
|
42.7
(5.9)
|
52.8
(11.6)
|
64.5
(18.1)
|
68.6
(20.3)
|
68.4
(20.2)
|
61.9
(16.6)
|
46.4
(8.0)
|
35.8
(2.1)
|
30.4
(?0.9)
|
24.7
(?4.1)
|
Record low °F (°C)
|
11
(?12)
|
12
(?11)
|
23
(?5)
|
30
(?1)
|
44
(7)
|
48
(9)
|
58
(14)
|
60
(16)
|
52
(11)
|
32
(0)
|
22
(?6)
|
15
(?9)
|
11
(?12)
|
Average
precipitation
inches (mm)
|
3.38
(86)
|
2.94
(75)
|
3.68
(93)
|
2.22
(56)
|
3.53
(90)
|
7.41
(188)
|
6.94
(176)
|
7.07
(180)
|
6.49
(165)
|
3.21
(82)
|
2.09
(53)
|
2.68
(68)
|
51.64
(1,312)
|
Average precipitation days
(≥ 0.01 in)
|
8.6
|
7.7
|
7.2
|
6.3
|
6.9
|
15.6
|
16.8
|
18.0
|
13.1
|
8.2
|
6.1
|
6.9
|
121.4
|
Source: NOAA
[26]
[27]
|
Demographics
[
edit
]
Historical population
Census
| Pop.
| Note
| %±
|
1850
| 243
| | ?
|
---|
1870
| 600
| | ?
|
---|
1880
| 803
| | 33.8%
|
---|
1890
| 2,904
| | 261.6%
|
---|
1900
| 3,380
| | 16.4%
|
---|
1910
| 4,370
| | 29.3%
|
---|
1920
| 4,914
| | 12.4%
|
---|
1930
| 7,281
| | 48.2%
|
---|
1940
| 8,986
| | 23.4%
|
---|
1950
| 11,741
| | 30.7%
|
---|
1960
| 13,598
| | 15.8%
|
---|
1970
| 22,583
| | 66.1%
|
---|
1980
| 37,170
| | 64.6%
|
---|
1990
| 42,045
| | 13.1%
|
---|
2000
| 45,943
| | 9.3%
|
---|
2010
| 56,315
| | 22.6%
|
---|
2020
| 63,591
| | 12.9%
|
---|
2022 (est.)
| 65,478
| [6]
| 3.0%
|
---|
Ocala first appeared in the 1850 U.S. Census, with a total recorded population of 243.
[29]
Ocala did not report separately in 1860.
[30]
2010 and 2020 census
[
edit
]
Ocala racial composition
(Hispanics excluded from racial categories)
(
NH = Non-Hispanic
)
Race
|
Pop 2010
[31]
|
Pop 2020
[32]
|
% 2010
|
% 2020
|
White
(NH)
|
35,623
|
35,478
|
63.26%
|
55.79%
|
Black or African American
(NH)
|
11,497
|
11,909
|
20.42%
|
18.73%
|
Native American
or
Alaska Native
(NH)
|
117
|
104
|
0.21%
|
0.16%
|
Asian
(NH)
|
1,455
|
2,436
|
2.58%
|
3.83%
|
Pacific Islander
or
Native Hawaiian
(NH)
|
9
|
17
|
0.02%
|
0.03%
|
Some other race
(NH)
|
118
|
255
|
0.21%
|
0.40%
|
Two or more races/Multiracial
(NH)
|
910
|
2,499
|
1.62%
|
3.93%
|
Hispanic or Latino
(any race)
|
6,586
|
10,893
|
11.69%
|
17.13%
|
Total
|
56,315
|
63,591
|
100.00%
|
100.00%
|
As of the
2020 census
, there were 63,591 people, 23,893 households, and 13,239 families residing in the city.
[33]
As of the
2010 census
, there were 56,315 people, 21,722 households, and 12,945 families residing in the city.
[34]
2000 census
[
edit
]
As of the
2000 census
, there were 45,943 people, 18,646 households, and 11,280 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,189.2 inhabitants per square mile (459.2/km
2
). There were 20,501 housing units at an average density of 530.7 per square mile (204.9/km
2
). 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
[
edit
]
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
[
edit
]
According to the City's 2022 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,
[35]
the largest employers in the city are:
#
|
Employer
|
Type of Business
|
# of Employees
|
Percentage
|
1
|
Marion County Public Schools
|
Education
|
7,000
|
4.70%
|
2
|
Ocala Health
|
Health Care
|
2,712
|
1.82%
|
3
|
AdventHealth Ocala
|
Health Care
|
2,648
|
1.78%
|
4
|
State of Florida
|
Government
|
2,600
|
1.74%
|
5
|
Walmart
(5 locations)
|
Retail
|
2,583
|
1.73%
|
6
|
Lockheed Martin
|
Aerospace
|
1,600
|
1.07%
|
7
|
FedEx
|
E-Commerce
|
1,500
|
1.01%
|
8
|
Publix
|
Retail Grocery
|
1,488
|
1.00%
|
9
|
Marion County Board of Commissioners
|
Government
|
1,368
|
0.92%
|
10
|
E-One, Inc.
|
Utility
|
1,200
|
0.81%
|
?
|
Total employers
|
?
|
24,699
|
16.57%
|
Culture
[
edit
]
Horses have a prominent role in Ocala's cultural makeup.
[36]
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",
[37]
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.
[38]
Government and politics
[
edit
]
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 Ben Marciano.
[39]
The city manager handles most administrative and financial matters.
[40]
A number of county offices are housed at the
McPherson Governmental Complex
.
[41]
As of 2020, Republicans outnumber Democrats in Marion County, 112,000 to 80,000.
[42]
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.
[43]
Education
[
edit
]
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
[
edit
]
- Anthony Elementary School
- College Park Elementary School
- Dr. N. H. Jones Elementary School
- East Marion 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
[
edit
]
- Fort King
- Howard
- Liberty Middle School
- Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks (5?8)
- Osceola Middle School
- North Marion Middle School
High schools
[
edit
]
Private schools
[
edit
]
- Ambleside School Of Ocala grades K?8
[44]
- Blessed Trinity School grades K?9
- Children's Palace East & Academy grades K?2
- The Cornerstone School grades PK?8
[45]
- Crossroads Academy grades 3?12
- Grace Academy Grades K?2
- Grace Christian School grades PK?8
- Meadowbrook Academy grades K?12
[46]
- Montessori Preparatory School grades K?5
- New Generation School grades K?12
- Ocala Christian Academy grades PK?12
[47]
- Ocean's High School grades PK?12
- Promiseland Academy grades K?7
- First Assembly Christian School grades K?12
[48]
- 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
[49]
- Belleview Christian Academy grades PK?12
- St John Lutheran School grades PK?12
- Trinity Catholic
grades 9?12
Colleges and universities
[
edit
]
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.
[50]
It also has one of 21 campuses of
Rasmussen College
, a
Higher Learning Commission
regionally accredited
post secondary
institution.
[51]
[52]
Webster University
offers on-site, regionally accredited graduate degree programs in business and counseling at their Ocala Metropolitan Campus.
[53]
Libraries
[
edit
]
Three of the eight libraries in the
Marion County Public Library System
are located in Ocala.
[54]
Those three libraries are:
- Freedom Public Library
- Marion Oaks Public Library
- Ocala Public Library ? Headquarters for the Marion County Public Library System.
Transportation
[
edit
]
Major roads
[
edit
]
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
.
- I-75
(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).
- US 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.
- US 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.
- US 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.
- SR 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.
- SR 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.
- SR 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
.
- SR 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.
Airport, bus, and others
[
edit
]
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
[
edit
]
Hospitals in Ocala include:
AdventHealth Ocala
, HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital.
[55]
Notable people
[
edit
]
- 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
[56]
- 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
[57]
- 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
[58]
- 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
[
edit
]
Sister cities
[
edit
]
Ocala has two
sister cities
:
See also
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
a
b
Hutchinson, Bill (November 26, 2008).
"Why Brick City? Because wood and fire don't mix"
.
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
. Retrieved
September 19,
2023
.
- ^
a
b
Mancil, Kathy (March 14, 2013) [March 12, 2013].
"Brick City presents history of 'Brick City'
"
.
Ocala StarBanner
. Retrieved
September 19,
2023
.
- ^
"2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files"
. United States Census Bureau
. Retrieved
February 21,
2024
.
- ^
a
b
U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Ocala, Florida
- ^
a
b
c
"Explore Census Data"
.
United States Census Bureau
. Retrieved
February 16,
2024
.
- ^
a
b
"City and Town Population Totals: 2020?2022"
. United States Census Bureau. February 16, 2024
. Retrieved
February 16,
2024
.
- ^
"Ocala (FL) sales tax rate"
. Retrieved
February 16,
2024
.
- ^
"Find a County"
. National Association of Counties
. Retrieved
June 7,
2011
.
- ^
Hiers, Fred (November 20, 2007).
"They call us the 'Horse Capital of the World'
"
.
Ocala StarBanner
. Retrieved
September 19,
2023
.
- ^
Peters, Terri (March 24, 2023).
"This city in Florida is the Horse Capital of the World. Here's what it's like to stay in its luxury equestrian-themed hotel"
.
Yahoo Life
. Retrieved
September 19,
2023
.
- ^
"Historic Highlights"
. City of Ocala. Archived from
the original
on January 14, 2008
. Retrieved
November 19,
2007
.
- ^
Hann, John H. (1996).
A History of the Timucua Indians and Missions
. Gainesville, Florida: University Press of Florida. p. 166.
ISBN
0-8130-1424-7
.
- ^
a
b
Milanich, Jerald T.; Hudson, Charles (1993).
Hernando de Soto and the Indians of Florida
. Gainesville, Florida: University Press of Florida. p. 92.
ISBN
0-8130-1170-1
.
- ^
Hann, John H. (1996).
A History of the Timucua Indians and Missions
. Gainesville, Florida: University Press of Florida. p. 29.
ISBN
0-8130-1424-7
.
- ^
Hann, John H. (1996).
A History of the Timucua Indians and Missions
. Gainesville, Florida: University Press of Florida. p. 95.
ISBN
0-8130-1424-7
.
- ^
Milanich, Jerald T. (1995).
Florida Indians and the Invasion from Europe
. Gainesville, Florida: The University Press of Florida. pp. 176, 189.
ISBN
0-8130-1360-7
.
- ^
"History of the Site"
. City of Ocala
. Retrieved
September 19,
2023
.
- ^
McCarthy, Kevin; Jernigan, Ernest (2001).
Ocala
. Arcadia. p. 11.
ISBN
0-7385-1377-6
.
- ^
Hussey, Scott (Summer 2010).
"Freezes, Fights, and Fancy: The Formation of Agricultural Cooperatives in the Florida Citrus Industry"
.
The Florida Historical Quarterly
.
89
(1): 85?86.
JSTOR
29765147
.
- ^
"A Breed Apart Ocala is the Horse Capital of Florida. But Can It Last?"
. May 15, 1988
. Retrieved
September 19,
2023
.
- ^
"Downtown Ocala Historic Context and History"
. City of Ocala
. Retrieved
September 19,
2023
.
- ^
"Ocala Black History Mural"
.
City of Ocala Recreation and Parks
. Retrieved
October 19,
2021
.
- ^
"US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990"
.
United States Census Bureau
. February 12, 2011. Archived from
the original
on October 19, 2021
. Retrieved
April 23,
2011
.
- ^
"The Florida Trail in the Ocala National Forest"
.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
. Archived from
the original
on October 19, 2021
. Retrieved
November 17,
2007
.
- ^
"History"
.
Thefriendsofsilverriver.org
. Friends of Silver River. 2014. Archived from
the original
on October 19, 2021
. Retrieved
April 8,
2014
.
- ^
"NOWData ? NOAA Online Weather Data"
.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
. Retrieved
June 2,
2021
.
- ^
"Summary of Monthly Normals 1991?2020"
.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
. Retrieved
June 2,
2021
.
- ^
"Census of Population and Housing"
. United States Census Bureau
. Retrieved
June 4,
2015
.
- ^
"1850 Census of Population: Florida"
(PDF)
. Retrieved
March 18,
2023
.
- ^
"1860 Census of Population: Florida"
(PDF)
. Retrieved
March 18,
2023
.
- ^
"P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race ? 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Ocala city, Florida"
. United States Census Bureau.
- ^
"P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race ? 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Ocala city, Florida"
. United States Census Bureau.
- ^
"S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES ? 2020: Ocala city, Florida"
. United States Census Bureau.
- ^
"S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES ? 2010: Ocala city, Florida"
. United States Census Bureau.
- ^
"City of Ocala 2022 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report"
. February 16, 2024. p. 205.
- ^
Streit, Katie (July 18, 2023).
"Equestrian athletes attracted to Ocala's growth as the horse capital of the world"
.
mynews13.com
.
Spectrum News
. Retrieved
September 19,
2023
.
- ^
"What Makes Ocala the Horse Capital of the World?"
. Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club. August 5, 2015
. Retrieved
September 19,
2023
.
- ^
Compton, Michael (February 25, 2022).
"Steeplechase Racing Returns to Florida"
.
Ocala Gazette
. Retrieved
September 19,
2023
.
- ^
Delgado, Jeremiah (September 17, 2019).
"Winner elected in race for Ocala mayor; November runoff for council seat"
.
Ocala-News
. Archived from
the original
on October 19, 2021
. Retrieved
April 28,
2020
.
- ^
"Ocala City Charter"
(PDF)
. City of Ocala. Archived from
the original
(XLS)
on June 13, 2010
. Retrieved
February 3,
2010
.
- ^
"McPherson Governmental Complex Map"
.
Marion County, FL
.
- ^
"Marion County Supervisor of Elections > Home"
. Votemarion.com. Archived from
the original
on October 19, 2021
. Retrieved
March 1,
2020
.
- ^
"2008 General Election Results"
. Marion County Department of Elections. Archived from
the original
(XLS)
on July 13, 2010
. Retrieved
February 3,
2010
.
- ^
"A living education"
.
Amblesideocala.com
. Archived from
the original
on December 14, 2015
. Retrieved
December 17,
2015
.
- ^
"Home"
.
Thecornerstoneschool.org
. December 8, 2015. Archived from
the original
on October 19, 2021
. Retrieved
December 17,
2015
.
- ^
"Meadowbrook Academy : Home"
.
Mbaocala.org
. Archived from
the original
on October 19, 2021
. Retrieved
December 17,
2015
.
- ^
"Home ? Ocala Christian Academy"
.
Ocacrusaders.com
. Archived from
the original
on October 19, 2021
. Retrieved
December 17,
2015
.
- ^
"Ocala First Assembly of God ? An A/G Church in North Central Florida ? Ocala, FL"
.
Ocalafirst.org
. Archived from
the original
on October 19, 2021
. Retrieved
December 17,
2015
.
- ^
"Shiloh SDA Church School : Home"
.
Antt40.adventistschoolconnect.org
. Archived from
the original
on October 19, 2021
. Retrieved
December 17,
2015
.
- ^
"College of Central Florida"
. Cf.edu. Archived from
the original
on October 19, 2021
. Retrieved
January 2,
2015
.
- ^
"Rasmussen College Campuses"
. Rasmussen.edu. Archived from
the original
on October 19, 2021
. Retrieved
January 11,
2013
.
- ^
"Accreditation"
. Rasmussen.edu. Archived from
the original
on October 19, 2021
. Retrieved
January 11,
2013
.
- ^
"Webster University: Webster University: Ocala Metro Campus"
. Webster.edu. Archived from
the original
on October 19, 2021
. Retrieved
December 18,
2012
.
- ^
"Marion County Public Library System library directory"
. Marioncountyfl.org
. Retrieved
January 11,
2013
.
- ^
"Individual Hospital Statistics for Florida"
.
American Hospital Directory
. Retrieved
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2023
.
- ^
Brown, Canter; Rivers, Larry E. (2008).
"The Pioneer African American Jurist Who Almost Became a Bishop: Florida's Judge James Dean, 1858-1914"
.
The Florida Historical Quarterly
.
87
(1): 16?49.
ISSN
0015-4113
.
JSTOR
20700194
. Archived from
the original
on October 19, 2021.
- ^
"Joey Gilmore | Biography & History"
.
AllMusic
. Archived from
the original
on October 19, 2021
. Retrieved
December 17,
2015
.
- ^
Bohls, Kirk (May 13, 2012).
"Travis Mays ? Horns' 'home run hire' ? has hit the recruiting trail running"
.
statesman.com
. Archived from
the original
on February 1, 2015
. Retrieved
June 27,
2014
.
- ^
"Friends Across the Ocean"
. City of Ocala. Archived from
the original
on March 11, 2012
. Retrieved
April 18,
2011
.
- ^
"San Rossore Officially Sister City To Ocala"
. Thoroughbred Times. Archived from
the original
on August 19, 2012
. Retrieved
July 16,
2007
.
"This event is just the beginning of a nice relationship between the city of Ocala and the city of Pisa and San Rossore," Fontanelli said in Italian during the ceremony.
External links
[
edit
]
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for
Ocala
.
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