Historic Cemetery

Burks Hart Cemetery

Jefferson, Florida 75657
Marker
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© OpenStreetMap contributors

To address the problem of cemetery destruction and to record as many cemeteries as possible, the Texas Historical Commission offers the Historic Texas Cemetery designation.

The Historic Texas Cemetery designation was developed in 1998 to help protect historic cemeteries by recording cemetery boundaries in county deed records to alert present and future owners of land adjacent to the cemetery of its existence. Every county in Texas has at least one cemetery designated as a Historic Texas Cemetery through this program. The HTC designation is the first step toward preservation of a historic cemetery.

A cemetery is eligible for designation if it is at least 50 years old and is deemed worthy of recognition for its historical associations. The very nature of a cemetery being a landmark of a family’s or community’s presence is considered to validate the criteria of historical associations. Any individual, organization, or agency may submit a request for designation.

gravesites
Florida has been the site of many space launches and is home to the Kennedy Space Center, where NASA launched the Apollo missions to the moon in the 1960s and 1970s.
Florida random facts
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 concise overview of the key events in 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.