Ocala in Marion County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Ocala Fire Department

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, December 23, 2021

1. Ocala Fire Department Marker

Ocala has one of the oldest Fire Departments in the State of Florida
Ocala Fire Rescue website homepage
Click for more information.

Inscription.
The Ocala Fire Department was established following the devastating Thanksgiving Day fire of 1883 which destroyed five square blocks downtown. As a result, a brick fire station was constructed on this site. The mammoth bell could be heard throughout the city when it was rung. The number of bells signaled which area of town the fire was located. Fortunately, the bell was saved when the fire station was razed in 1968.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Disasters. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.

Location. 29° 11.169′ N, 82° 8.102′ W. Marker is in Ocala, Florida, in Marion County. Marker is at the intersection of Southeast Broadway Street and Southeast Osceola Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Southeast Broadway Street. Marker is mounted at eye-level on the northwest corner of the parking garage at this address, facing Southeast Broadway Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 296 Southeast Broadway Street, Ocala FL 34471, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ocala Fire Bell (here, next to this marker); Ocala (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Marion Block (about 300 feet away); Ocala Demands (about 500 feet away); Gazebo

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(about 500 feet away); The Gary Block Building (about 500 feet away); The Old Courthouse Square (about 600 feet away); Grace Episcopal Church (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ocala.

Also see . . . Anniversary of landmark 1883 fire prompts look back. Ocala Star-Banner website entry, 2008 (Submitted on June 12, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Marker detail: Original Ocala Fire Station image. Click for more information.

2. Marker detail: Original Ocala Fire Station

Ocala Fire Department History Timeline
City website PDF
Click for more information.

Ocala Fire Department Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, December 23, 2021

3. Ocala Fire Department Marker

Original Ocala Fire Station Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, December 23, 2021

4. Original Ocala Fire Station Site

1889 Ocala Fire Bell image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, December 23, 2021

5. 1889 Ocala Fire Bell

(on exhibit near marker, in Broadway Street median)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 289 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 3, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.