Marion County, Florida

A Beautiful Place A Tribe Lost: Timicua Agnew-Gary Block American National Thrift Association Hospital Anderson-Frank House Badly Wounded Baseline Trailhead Brick City Fever Bullock House Canal Building Canal Stopping Cat Face Clarkson House Conclusive Federal Action Deliberate Strategy Environmental Victory Nears Eureka West Recreation Area Evergreen Cemetery First National Bank First Presbyterian Church Florida Crackers Florida Honors and Remembers our POWÂ’s and MIAÂ’s Florida Seminole Nations History Florida Seminoles Fort King Fort King Burying Ground Fort King Manor From Disaster to Award-Winning Design Gazebo Grace Episcopal Church Great Depression Public Works Project Green Monsters Greenway Greenlife Historical Perspective Historical Sketch History of Santos Community History: Cows & Horses History: Crops History: Monkeys & Boars Landbridge East Landbridge West Marion County Confederate Memorial Marker Marion Theatre Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway Marshall Plantation Site Marshall Swamp Masonic Hall Building Ocala Ocala Demands Ocala Fire Bell Ocala Fire Department Ocala National Bank Oklahoma Seminole Nations History Old Canal Landfill Opposition to the Canal Osceola Paradise Park at Silver Springs Port Santos Protective Perspective Pruitt Trailhead Rainbow Springs Rest for the Weary Ross Prairie Shangri-La Diggings Site of the Discovery of Phosphate in Florida Steamboats at the Spring The Bryant House The Canal Story The Carlisle House The Chambliss House The Fort King Apartments The Gamsby House The Gary Block Building The Kemp House The Marion Block The Miller-Gary House The Old Courthouse Square The Osborne House The Raysor House The Rheinauer House The Russel H. Floyd House The Tarver House The William G. Marshall House The Williams House William Bartram Trail
Marion County is located in central Florida and has a rich and diverse history. The area was first inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Timucua and Seminole tribes, who lived off the land and thrived in the region. European explorers arrived in the 16th century, with Spanish conquistadors exploring the area in search of gold and claiming the land for Spain.

In the early 19th century, settlers began moving into the area, and the town of Ocala was established as the county seat in 1846. Ocala quickly became a hub for agriculture, particularly citrus farming, and was known as the "Kingdom of the Sun" due to its sunny weather and fertile soil. The region was also home to large cattle ranches, as well as phosphate mining operations.

During the Civil War, Marion County was divided, with some residents supporting the Confederacy and others supporting the Union. The war took its toll on the region, but Ocala rebounded after the war, with the expansion of railroad lines connecting the town to other parts of Florida.

In the 20th century, Marion County continued to grow, with the establishment of the Ocala National Forest, which provided recreational opportunities and protected the natural beauty of the area. The county also saw the development of the thoroughbred horse industry, with many horse farms and training centers located in the area. Today, Marion County is a thriving community with a mix of agriculture, tourism, and residential areas, rich in history and natural beauty.
Brief timeline of the history of Marion County, Florida:

  • 1821 - Marion County is created and named after General Francis Marion.
  • 1823 - The first white settlers arrive in the area.
  • 1836-1842 - Marion County is heavily involved in the Seminole Wars.
  • 1844 - The county seat is established in Ocala.
  • 1852 - The Florida Railroad reaches Ocala, boosting the local economy.
  • 1861-1865 - Marion County supports the Confederacy during the Civil War.
  • 1875 - The Florida Agriculture College (now known as the University of Florida) opens in Lake City.
  • 1877 - The Ocala Banner newspaper is established.
  • 1890 - Ocala experiences a major fire, leading to the construction of new brick buildings.
  • 1911 - The historic Marion Theatre is built in downtown Ocala.
  • 1935 - The Ocala National Forest is established.
  • 1940s-1950s - The horse industry becomes prominent in Marion County.
  • 1985 - Silver Springs, a popular tourist attraction, becomes a state park.
  • 1995 - The World Equestrian Center is established in Ocala.
  • 2000s - Marion County experiences significant growth in population and development.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Marion County, Florida.