Historic cemeteries in
Marion, Florida

Beamer Davis Cemetery Brantly Cemetery Burks Hart Cemetery Cedar Grove Cemetery Cedar Grove Cemetery #1 Core Cemetery Core Cemetery Douglas Cemetery Frazier Cemetery Frith-Jones Cemetery Gray Cemetery Judea Cemetery Lockett Cemetery Macedonia Cemetery Meadows Cemetery Monterey Cemetery Moore's Chapel Cemetery Moseley Cemetery Mount Olive Cemetery Mount Sinai Cemetery New Prospect Cemetery New Zion Cemetery Oakwood Cemetery Old Foundry Cemetery Pyland Cemetery Pyland Cemetery #2 Rand Cemetery Savannah Cemetery Simmons Cemetery Taylor Cemetery Unknown Cemetery Unknown Cemetery Unknown Cemetery Unknown (Bethlehem Ch) Cemetery Unknown (Corinth Ch) Cemetery Unknown (Cypress Chapel) Cemetery Unknown (Mt Carmel Ch) Cemetery Unknown (Mt Pilgrim Ch) Cemetery Unknown (Trinity Ch) Cemetery Unknown (Union Ch) Cemetery Unknown (Warlock) Cemetery Unknown Grave (south Of Lockett Cem) Cemetery Valley Plains Cemetery Webb Cemetery Wilkinson Cemetery
Florida is not just a state of mind, but also a place where all your senses retreat to.
Marni Jameson in The Next Mastery Challenge: I'm Tackling Vanilla Extract
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.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped 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.