Paradise in the Historic District of Ocala
An architect and a history lover’s paradise, the historic district of Ocala spans 172.5 acres bound by Broadway, SE 8th Street, Silver Springs Place and lies approximately at the center of Fort King Street.
This quaint little town is an abode to independence-era architecture and has something for everyone: be it paranormal enthusiasts, civil war historians, or just casual tourists who want to chat over a cup of coffee on a typical lukewarm Floridian morning.
History
Ocala became a tourist town after Silver Springs came into the limelight in scientific journals in the 1870s. The steady influx of tourists enticed Joseph Caldwell to plat land for development in 1880. This included constructing large residential houses, which were part of a Spanish land grant of 1817.
To cater to the financial needs of tourists and early residents, Dunn, a lawyer, oversaw the construction of Residential Ocala’s very first bank in 1882. By the end of the century, Ocala saw a great commercial, industrial, and agricultural boom. The town had two national banks, one trust company, carriage manufacturers and sawmills, two cigar factories, a multitude of hotels, a large-scale ice factory, and one of the state’s largest groups of mercantile houses.
As the town saw a surge in population, hundreds of residential homes, churches, and other places of interest were built between 1880 and 1930. These included Grace Episcopal Church in 1907, Ocala High School, and the Ocala Gymnasium, which were built near the town center, adjoining the nearby residential suburb.
The town was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. It preserves architectural wonders dating back to the mid-late 1800s when the city was growing in popularity. These include more than 200 historical buildings belonging to the architectural classes of Georgina Revival, Colonial Revival, Queen Anne, Second Empire, Bungalow, and Carpenter Gothic.
Homes for Sale in Historic District of Ocala
Climate
Much like most of Florida, Ocala does get quite hot. Summer highs are in July at approximately 93 degrees, while January brings winter lows approximating 43 degrees. March, November, and February make up the most pleasant months of Ocala, with temperatures ranging between a comfortable 70-80 degrees.
The town witnesses an average rainfall of 52 inches per year, which is higher than the national average of 38. June marks the wettest of Ocala, while the Autumn season makes up for more than 42 percent of its annual rainfall. The town witnesses a remarkable 233 sunny days annually and also has a notable absence of snowfall.
Living in Ocala
Ocala boasts of a highly competitive cost of living index of 83.8 as compared to Florida’s 102.8. This makes it an ideal place to live with an affordable median home cost of $150,000. In addition, salaries in Ocala average at $40,000, and jobs continue to show a steady growth of 2.3 percent annually.
If you are wondering about real estate investment potential, home appreciation rates in Ocala have increased by 8.5 percent over the past ten years and currently stand at 7.9 percent. Although houses are available to rent as well, homeownership stands at a towering 71.3 percent.
Public Transportation
The city of Ocala is well connected both internally as well as externally. Internally, 7 SunTran bus routes connect its main points of interest. Externally, the Ocala Union Station connects it to other major Ocala cities like Miami (12 hours), Orlando (5 hours), and Tampa (5 hours). The average commuting time in Ocala is 19.9 minutes, shorter than the national average of 26.4.
Things To See
Being a historic district, Ocala offers tons of sightseeing and places of significance to explore:
- The John Dunn House – A spectacular example of Queen Anne Revival architecture, this house was built for John Dunn – the pioneer of the city’s banking. He was also one of the earliest mayors of Ocala, and the nearby town of Dunnellon bears his namesake.
- The Veranda – Built in 1888 and situated at 416 Fort King Street, this place served as the gathering place for local merchants and industrial workers. Nowadays, it houses a fine collection of shops and remains open six days a week.
- The Rheinauer House and The Seven Sisters Inn – Touted as the “Most Haunted Inn in Florida,” the Seven Sisters Inn and the Rheinauer House serve as the flame to paranormal-seeking moths. However, apart from its haunted legacy, the Seven Sisters Inn also features a quaint, historical ambiance, aged artifacts, period furnishings, and spa facilities.
- Magnolia Avenue – Located just south of the Town Square, Magnolia Avenue is all but paved with bricks. It’s an homage to the city’s nickname “The Brick City,” which stems from the usage of bricks as fire-resistant material after the town centerfire of Thanksgiving Day, 1883.
It features multiple local boutiques, a couple of thrift stores, the Ivy on the Square – a charming Southern-themed restaurant, and Marion Theatre – a vintage movie emporium. A few blocks down, you’ll find the Infinite Ale Works – one of Florida’s finest microbreweries whose quadruple ale won the best Floridian beer in 2018!
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