Ocala, Florida is the county seat of Marion County. With more than 50,000 residents, the city has been undergoing rapid growth since the 1970s and is still attracting more and more intrastate and interstate movers. A moderate climate, diverse economy and an excellent public education system makes Ocala an excellent moving destination and, surely, Ocala moving companies will be kept busy in the years to come.
Economy:
Economically, Ocala relies on several factors: a protected inland location, good transportation networks including rail service, being equidistant between three major research universities, a trained workforce, ample water and power, and a family-friendly community. Ocala and Marion County have had a long history of manufacturing. Over the years, the city has manufactured a wide range of products including automobile parts, semiconductors, construction products, and farm implements. Ocala is the headquarters of Emergency One, a worldwide designer and manufacturer of fire rescue vehicles. The Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition – IHMC, a robotics company, chose Ocala/Marion County to expand their research operations in 2010. Ocala/Marion County is also partnering with the Florida High Tech Corridor to further diversify its economy with high-tech, higher wage jobs.
History:
Timucuan Indians were the first to inhabit the area known today as Ocala. When the United States purchased Florida from Spain in 1821, the many settlers relocating to the area found the new territory inhabited by Seminole Indians, which included Indians and runaway slaves from Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia. The rich lands were perfect for American farmers' needs, and in spite of attempts by the Indians to live in peaceful co-existence, troubles began and the United States embarked on a long and costly struggle to remove the Indians. In 1827, Fort King, located about three miles east of downtown Ocala, became an important military post and was the site for many dramatic events during the Seminole War of 1835-42. The original site of the fort was recently discovered and named a National Historic Site.
In 1846, the Marion County seat was planned and named "Ocala." Ocala was established in 1846 near the site of Fort King, a military outpost of the Seminole Wars. Rail service reached Ocala in June 1881, encouraging economic development. Two years later, much of the Ocala downtown area was destroyed by fire on Thanksgiving Day, 1883. Buildings were rebuilt with brick, granite and steel rather than lumber. By 1888, Ocala was known state-wide as "The Brick City."
Tourism:
There's always something to do in sunny Ocala. The city offers the finest recreation and park system in the state with two city-operated water parks, outstanding team sport facilities, playgrounds, and tennis courts. Ocala is also home to more than 20 public or semi-public golf courses including the recently renovated Ocala Golf Club. The community's cultural offerings include the Appleton Museum, Ocala's Civic Theater, Brick City Center for the Arts, and the Ocala Symphony Orchestra to name a few. There are also many shops and restaurants to visit in downtown Ocala.