Today’s Ocala is known for its equestrian culture and small-town Southern charm. But did you know the city dates back to a time nearly two centuries ago? Development in Ocala started with the famous Fort King as the American Indian Wars raged. The history of Ocala, Florida is rich and varied and these Brick City streets definitely have stories to tell.
The history of Ocala, Florida, starts before the city was established as the Marion County seat in 1849. From pre-historic Native Americans who called the land home long before the Spanish discovered Florida to the modern-day development of world-class equine facilities, Ocala’s history runs the gamut of tumultuous and inspiring events.
Let’s learn more about what makes Ocala the city it is today by exploring its heritage and legacy.
What is Ocala Known For?
Today Ocala is known as the “Horse Capital of the World.” This moniker, given in 2007, makes sense. This North Central Florida city of approximately 60,000 residents is home to an estimated 35,000 thoroughbred horses and more than 1,200 horse farms and training centers.
Ocala has ties to major wins in horse racing dating all the way back to 1978 when one famous Ocalan, Affirmed, won the Triple Crown. Since then 50 national champions, 36 Breeder’s Cup champs, 6 winners of the Kentucky Derby, 6 Horses of the Year, and 2 Triple Crown winners all were either bred, born, or trained in Ocala.
Annual events like Horse Shows in the Sun (HITS) Ocala Winter Circuit and Live Oak International, as well as the recent development of the World Equestrian Center, further showcase Ocala’s rich equestrian culture and economy. HITS alone generates approximately $7 million for Ocala each winter.
Ocala’s newest equine addition is the World Equestrian Center. This world-class facility is home to equine events of all disciplines, as well as all kinds of other happenings from major conventions to intimate weddings. The facility also features luxury accommodations, shopping, dining, spa services, and much more. A trip to Ocala isn’t complete without visiting World Equestrian Center.
What makes Ocala such a rich center of horse history? It’s underfoot. The aquifer system under Ocala is rich in limestone, which means the grasses horses here graze on and the water they sip are, too. The limestone-infused grass and water give the horses essential nutrients needed for strong bones and strong bodies, making Ocala the perfect place for breeding and training.
Though horses reign in Ocala today, the city’s history dates back even further.
How Old is Ocala?
Ocala was officially established in 1849, which means the city is 173 years old.
The land that became Ocala, though, has an even richer history of inhabitants dating back to pre-historic times. Archeological investigations have found that Native People lived around Ocala as far back as 6500 B.C.
Ocala’s more “modern” history began in 1539 when the Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto explored the area with his men. He found Ocale or Ocali, a center village for the Timucua people, near the land we now know as Ocala. Unfortunately, de Sota and his men attacked the village and the area was abandoned until the late 18th century according to historical records.
During the late 1700s and early 1800s, the area around Ocala was inhabited once again, this time by the Creek and other Native American people. The Seminole people formed around this time and also inhabited the area.
Fort King, now a major historical landmark in Ocala, was first built by the U.S. Army in 1827. The fort was established to be a buffer between the Seminole people and the white settlers moving to the area. Fort King was an important base of operations during the Second Seminole War (1835-1842) and then became the county’s first courthouse in 1844.
Ocala officially became a city in 1849. Development started around the site of Fort King, which is approximately 3 miles from what is now bustling Downtown Ocala.
What Native Americans Lived in Ocala?
The first named native people to live in the lands that are now Ocala and Marion County were the Timucua. The Timucua people inhabited what is now South Georgia and North Florida. It is estimated there were approximately 200,000 Timucua people when the Spaniards came to what is now the Southeastern U.S. in the 1500s. Records show there were no Timucua people left by 1800.
Eventually, the Creek people came to the land around today’s Ocala and in the Ocala National Forest. The Creek people came from what is now Georgia and Alabama in the 1700s to escape conflicts with Europeans and other tribes. Escaped Black slaves also made their way to the land around Ocala, and by the early 1800s, the Creeks and those who escaped Southern plantations joined forces to form the Seminole Tribe.
The Seminole Tribe was forced out of the Ocala area during the Second Seminole War and then white and European settlers rushed in to develop the area. By 1846, Marion County was established and Ocala was named County Seat. By 1847, Marion County and Ocala had a square with an official courthouse, a post office, and even a weekly newspaper.
Why is Ocala Called Brick City?
By the mid-1800s, Ocala was among Florida’s busiest centers of business and commerce. Citrus production ruled here and flourished even more after rail service came to Ocala in 1881.
Ocala grew quickly during this time. Developers and business people were in such a hurry to set up shop that they threw together buildings with lumber. This ended up being a great mistake, as on Thanksgiving Day in 1883 downtown Ocala and its wood buildings were totally destroyed by a fire.
The city was then rebuilt with granite and brick buildings, many of which still stand today. By 1888, the rest of the Sunshine State knew Ocala as “the Brick City.” The name stuck and is still evident all around town. For example, many locals love the barbecue and craft cocktails served at Brick City Southern Kitchen & Whiskey Bar (10 S. Magnolia Ave., ask to sit in Ryan’s section).
What Famous People are from Ocala?
There’s more to Ocala than just horses and history. Many famous athletes, politicians, actors and actresses, scientists, and even musicians have called Brick City home.
Sports fans will appreciate that Ocala is home to three 2022 Winter Olympics Gold Medalists in speed skating:
- Brittany Bowe
- Erin Jackson
- Joey Mantia
Other famous athletes from Ocala include current and former NFL players including Antonio Allen, Tony Beckham, Daunte Culpepper, Drayton Florence, P.J. Williams, Eugene Milton, and Tyrone Young.
The most famous Ocala residents, though, might be movie star John Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston. Travolta and Preston are said to spend the majority of their time at their estate in Ocala’s Jumbolair subdivision and are occasionally spotted around town.
What Are Some Facts About Ocala?
Want even more need-to-know information about Ocala? Here are some fast facts that might come in handy next time you’re at trivia night or you want to start a conversation about Ocala.
Ocala Horse Facts
- The first thoroughbred horse farm in Ocala was established in 1948 by businessman Carl G. Rose.
- Ocala International Airport serves more horse passengers than human passengers.
Ocala Demographics Facts
- The Ocala/Marion County area is one of the fastest-growing in the country. In 1975, the greater-Ocala area had 100,000 residents. By 2020, the Ocala metro area had 354,000 residents.
- There are more Republicans in Ocala than Democrats.
- The top employers in Ocala are:
- Marion County Public Schools
- Advent Health
- State of Florida
- Wal-Mart
- Ocala Regional Medical Center
- Publix Super Markets
- Marion County Government
- City of Ocala
- AT&T
- Lockheed Martin
- There are 30 public elementary schools, 10 public middle schools, and 10 public high schools in Ocala.
- Colleges and universities with campuses in Ocala include College of Central Florida, Rasmussen College, Webster Unversity, and St. Leo University.
Ocala Business Facts
- Emergency One, also called E-One, is headquartered in Ocala. This company makes fire trucks and rescue vehicles.
- Ocala was once Florida’s Hollywood. Movies filmed in Ocala include James Bond classics Thunderball (1965) and Moonraker (1979), Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954), The Yearling (1946), and Tarzan Finds a Son! (1939) and Tarzan’s Secret Treasure (1941).
- Ocala is considered one of Florida’s top logistics hubs and is home to many distribution centers and warehouses. Chewy, AutoZone, Amazon, Dollar Tree, McLane, FedEx, and many other major companies rely on centers in Ocala for logistics.
Ocala History Facts
- The oldest homes in Ocala are now part of the Ocala and Tuscawilla Park Historic Districts.
- What is now Ocala’s Silver Springs State Park was actually two parks until segregation ended in 1967. White visitors could visit Silver Springs, while Black visitors were not welcome. Paradise Park was established adjacent to Silver Springs in 1949 for African American guests. Paradise Park closed in 1969.
- Silver Springs State Park is now home to approximately 300 wild rhesus macaques monkeys, many of which are infected with herpes B. The population started with 7 monkeys accidentally released in 1948. You can see the monkeys from the park’s famous glass-bottomed boats.
What Makes Ocala a Great Place to Call Home?
The history of Ocala, FL is rich and diverse. From its native beginnings to today’s equestrian culture, there is so much to see, do, explore, and enjoy in Ocala. All of these things come together to make Ocala a great place to call home.
Ready to gather more Ocala information? Reach out to a friendly agent to learn more about Golden Ocala Real Estate and life in Brick City.