Ocala in Marion County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Brick City Fever
by artist Cliff Fink
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2008
1. Brick City Fever Marker
On Thanksgiving Day, November 29th, 1883 fire broke out in Ocala. All of the buildings on the east side of today’s SE 1st Avenue from Silver Springs Boulevard to Fort King Street were destroyed. Five blocks of the business district were left in ashes and numerous records were lost, including files containing a great deal of Ocala and Marion County’s early history. The rebuilding of the town began almost immediately. Frame buildings were replaced utilizing brick, granite and metal. Within five years, Ocala was identified throughout the state as “The Brick City”.
“Brick City Fever” was sculpted by Cliff Fink in honor of our city’s heritage for Horse Fever, a public art project produced by the Marion Cultural Alliance which raised $850,000 for charity.
“Brick City Fever” was purchased by Danny Gaekwad at the Horse Fever art auction and dedicated at this location on July 11, 2002 by Mayor Gerald Engle.
Erected 2002.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Disasters • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1904.
Location. 29° 9.049′ N, 82° 11.041′ W. Marker is in Ocala, Florida, in Marion County. Marker is on Southwest
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Historical Sketch (approx. 3.4 miles away); American National Thrift Association Hospital (approx. 3.6 miles away); Marion Theatre (approx. 3.7 miles away); First National Bank (approx. 3.7 miles away); The Gary Block Building (approx. 3.8 miles away); Masonic Hall Building (approx. 3.8 miles away); Agnew-Gary Block (approx. 3.8 miles away); The Marion Block (approx. 3.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ocala.
Regarding Brick City Fever. The disaster, which occurred on Thanksgiving Day that year, is known as the Brick City fire among local historians.
Technically, Brick City did not exist until after the fire, when Ocala began to rebuild the devastated downtown.
By the end of the 1880s, the town square was newly surrounded by sturdy, three- and four-story brick blocks, such as the Marion Block Building, which housed offices and a pharmacy and, on the third floor, what Ocala called its "opera house."
Also see . . .
1. Anniversary of landmark 1883 fire prompts look back
Photographed By Greg Hart
2. Brick City Fever Marker and Brick Horse
2. Horse Fever. Active Rain website entry
Horse Fever features a series of almost life sized horse statues created by various artists. Horse Fever began in 2001 as the first project for the Marion Cultural Alliance. There were 52 horses which were auctioned off for charity. The project was similar to those done by other cities. New Orleans did fish, New York cows and Montana did moose. (Submitted on April 8, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2008
3. Brick City Fever (front view)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2008
4. Brick City Fever (side view)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2008
5. Brick City Fever (detail view)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,077 times since then and 30 times this year. Last updated on April 9, 2014, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1. submitted on April 8, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2. submitted on June 4, 2023, by Greg Hart of The Villages, Florida. 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 8, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
