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Here is a brief look at the history of
the state of Florida and Ocala Marion County in particular. For a more detailed
look at the history of Florida, go to
Florida History. The beautiful climate and numerous springs,
the Ocala National Forest, and the many rivers and lakes
have attracted people to live in the area for thousands of years.
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Almost five hundred years have
passed since Ponce de Leon first claimed the area that is now Ocala for
the king of Spain.
Since that time, three other national flags have flown over this stretch
of land. Spain traded Florida to Britain in 1763. Just over
20 years later, the British returned it to Spain. The United
States of America acquired the area in 1821. Florida seceded to
join the Confederate States of America In 1861. That lasted
until 1865 when our predecessors rejoined the Union. Many of Ocala's early
records have been lost or destroyed over the years, but we know that the
Marion County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution that said "From and
after May 28, 1846, the county seat shall be known by the name of Ocala." |
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President Millard Filmore
signed a certificate that granted the Marion County Board of
Commissioners a 1,200-acre site to be established as the county's center
of government on May 15, 1852.
Although the city was
approved by the state in 1869, official records of the
incorporation were lost and there was some question about their legality.
Therefore, the city |
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reapplied in January 28, 1885 and was declared
"legally incorporated" . At that time, with a city
population of 803 inhabitants, the governing authority was vested in a mayor,
nine members of council, a clerk and a treasurer. Today voters elect a
five-member city council and a mayor. The council appoints a city manager
who is responsible for carrying out council's policies. Ocala's early city
limits were 1,000 yards from the downtown square in all directions. These
boundaries were changed over the next few years and the city limits were
extended to one mile in each direction. |
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In the early 1900's, the city covered four square miles with a population
of 4,597, making Ocala the fifth largest town in Florida. Only
Jacksonville, Pensacola, Tampa and Key West were larger.
During the decade of the 1950s,
major roads were constructed in and around the community. U.S. 301 and
U.S. 441 were connected and |
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U.S. 27 was built during this same
period and Interstate 75 soon changed the look of Central Florida.
The city annexed over a square mile during the decade, and the 1960 Census
showed Ocala's population as 13,598, triple the population at the turn of
the century. |
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East Ocala, an area of more than
10 square miles, became part of Ocala by special election in 1964. The
annexation tripled the city's area to 16 square miles. West Ocala was
annexed in 1975, and added another 7.5 square miles to the city's
boundaries.
Numerous smaller annexations have
taken place through the years, and have brought us to the current total of
38 square miles and an estimated population of 43,600. The most recent
annexation occurred on July 14, 1998. It added 900 acres of agricultural
land to the southwest quadrant of the City of Ocala
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