OCALA

city, seat (1846) of Marion county, north-central Florida, U.S. Ocala lies 38 miles (61 km) south of Gainesville. It developed around Fort King, established in 1827. The place-name was derived from Ocali, an obscure Indian word possibly referring to an ancient Timucuan province or the middle part of Florida. After the Seminole Wars, Ocala evolved as a mixed farming centre. It was reconstructed after the American Civil War, and many of its streets are lined with moss-draped oaks and stately Southern homes. Local deposits of pure limestone are economically important. Local agricultural activities include the breeding of thoroughbred horses, cultivation of citrus and vegetables, and cattle raising. Other economic factors are food processing, tourism, and the manufacture of mobile homes. Ocala lies just west of the Ocala National Forest and is a regional headquarters of the U.S. and Florida forest services. It is also the home of Central Florida Community College (1957). At nearby Silver Springs (east) and Rainbow Springs (west), marine life can be viewed through glass-bottomed boats. Other local attractions include an art museum and a museum exhibiting vintage cars from the sport of drag racing. Inc. 1885. Pop. (1992 est.) city, 43,918; Ocala MSA, 203,112.