Nearly five centuries have passed since Ponce de Leon claimed for the
king of Spain the area that now contains Ocala, the seat of Marion
County in North Central Florida. Located midway between the Atlantic
Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, Ocala was incorporated in 1885, when it
was home to just 803 inhabitants, and has grown steadily since that
time. At the turn of the twentieth century, the city covered four square
miles and had a population of 3,380, making Ocala the seventh largest
town in Florida. From its Native American heritage, which includes
important episodes in the life of Seminole leader Osceola, to its
natural beauty featured in such places as the Ocala National Forest and
the world-famous Silver Springs, Ocala has had a rich and fascinating
past. Widely known today as champion thoroughbred horse country, Ocala
and its environs also boast neighborhoods of well-preserved Victorian
homes and other historic structures, a thriving business community, and
a diverse populace that is dedicated to the constant improvement of this
singular city. In 1995, Ocala was honored with the designation of All
America City by the National Civic League. Paying tribute to this
one-of-a-kind city, its residents--both past and present--and the story
it has to tell, this volume of more than 200 vintage images showcases
Ocala's rich historical legacy and the men and women who made it all
possible.
