Paris1972-Versailles2003

I am coming up with older memorable pictures not yet in my blog or very little mention and they should be more , me think, After all, this blog is my life’s history, Nostalgia sets in and I came up with a wonderful town of my youth heydays with memories forever, I am remembering my fav places in my dear Florida USA, a State I lived for 18 yrs of my life, in addition to 4 years of University studies, Let me tell you a bit more about  Ocala !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I,

The City of Ocala is the seat of Marion County. The city was founded in 1845 near the site of Fort King, a military post built during the Seminole Wars. The City is named after Ocale a Timucua village and chiefdom recorded in the 16C, the name ,which is believed to mean “Big Hammock” in the Timucua language, The Spaniard Hernando de Soto’s expedition recorded Ocale in 1539 during his exploration through what is today the southeastern United States. The modern city of Ocala, which was established in 1849, developed around the fort site, Ocala is 79 miles from Orlando and 85 miles from Walt Disney World, also , 71 miles from my base there Ormond Beach,

Ocala thrived on tourism. It benefited from the development of Interstate 75 and the creation of Disney World. East Fort King Street features many excellent examples of Victorian architecture around such as the Coca-Cola Building, the E. C. Smith House, East Hall, the Marion Hotel, Mount Zion A.M.E. Church, the Ritz Historic Inn, and Union Train Station, as well as the original Fort King site, Home to over 400 thoroughbred farms and training centers, Ocala is considered the “Horse Capital of the World”. It is one of only five cities (four in the US and one in France) permitted under Chamber of Commerce guidelines to use the title, “Horse Capital of the World” Notable attractions include the Ocala National Forest,  Rainbow Springs State Park, and the World Equestrian Center.

There is a nice Antique Cuto Museum there too which we visited , located at SW 17th Court sadly it has closed but cannot confirm, What is there is the Dan Garlings Drag Racing Museum at 13700 SW 16th Avenue, amazing it opened in 1984 but never visited , It is the home to the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame. Below pic my dear parents and the exact of my maternal grandfather car , the famed Chevy Bel Air!!

Ocala is also known for nearby  Silver Springs State Park , site of one of the largest artesian spring formations in the world and Silver Springs Nature Theme Park, one of the earliest tourist attractions in Florida. The original Tarzan with Johnny Weissmuller was filmed here ! And one reason, we came often was to visit , dive when it was allowed (not anymore) and take the glass bottom boat to the spring entrance, Need to tell, have a cousin living here for yeaars and of course we visited too ; now just whatsapps !!

The wonderful road Interstate 75 runs north and south across the western edge of the city, with interchanges at SR 200 (exit 350), SR 40 (exit 352) and US 27 (exit 354) runs north south in the City, However, we came from Ormond Beach on the SR 40

The official City of Ocala: https://www.ocalafl.gov/

The official Historic Ocala Preservation Society : https://historicocala.org/

The State of Florida tourist office on Ocala : https://www.visitflorida.com/places-to-go/central/ocala/

There you go folks, even if pictures are few as in those days were not onto picture taking more important the memories lingered forever, This is my youthful life in Ocala, Florida. It seems far away now as my last visit was in 2009 to visit my cousin who lives there ! The pictures are way older…..Again, hope you enjoy the post as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!