FLORIDA – Ocala Main Street, in Ocala, Marion County, has been named the July 2023 Florida Main Street Program of the Month by Secretary of State Cord Byrd.
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As an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Ocala Main Street, Inc. (OMS), is dedicated to creating a thriving, unique, and livable downtown that enriches the community, embraces history, celebrates the arts, and promotes quality events to instill a sense of place in their community.
“Since its founding in 1985, Ocala Main Street has exemplified the ideals of a successful main street community,” said Byrd.
“I am very excited to showcase their success in revitalizing downtown Ocala during this year’s upcoming Preservation on Main Street Conference.”
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OMS aims to support and enhance the continuing development of Downtown Ocala while protecting and promoting the city’s history and heritage. Officially designated as one of the first five Main Street communities in Florida in 1985, OMS has since secured over $60 million in public and private investments, opened 153 businesses, created 280 sustainable jobs, and logged in over 3,500 volunteer hours.
“Our Main Street District is the heart of our community, and we are working to make Downtown Ocala exceptionally vibrant and economically successful,” said Jessica Fieldhouse, Executive Director of Ocala Main Street.
“We are focused on maintaining our historic charm and character as we embrace the rapid growth our district is facing.”
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OMS oversees many downtown civic and cultural activities, including historic walking tours and monthly 3rd Thursday Sip & Shop events. OMS also facilitates First Night Ocala, the signature annual event to celebrate New Year’s Eve, as well as multiple creative initiatives such as advocating for the expansion of golf cart access into the business district, a pop-up retail incubator program called Lane on Main and working with the City of Ocala to implement new branding for the three zones of the Ocala Main Street District.
History of Ocala
According to the Florida Department of State, Native Americans, known as the Timucuan, inhabited the area around Ocala at the time of first contact with Europeans in the 1500s. American settlement started with Fort King, which was built by the United States Army in the 1820s and was active during the Seminole Wars.
Ocala was incorporated as a city in 1885.
Agriculture based on small farms as well as plantations thrived in the mid-to late-1800s. Rail service reached Ocala in 1881, which completed a connection with Ocklawaha River and Silver River transportation, creating a thriving economic hub.
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Ocala faced tragedy during the height of its early economic development on Thanksgiving Day 1883 when a fire wiped out four blocks of the business district surrounding the Downtown Square. Brick structures replaced the burned-out wooden buildings, and Ocala became known as the “Brick City” when construction was completed in 1888.
Historic Downtown Ocala developed into the center of community life where residents and visitors continue to enjoy an incredible variety of retail, dining, cultural and recreational options.
For more information on Ocala Main Street, visit OcalaMainStreet.org. To learn more about the Florida Main Street program, visit FloridaMainStreet.com.
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