Marion County Race Horse Farms

Rare mid-century map of the ‘Horse Capital of the World.’

Marion County, Florida’s history as a horse ranching hub began in 1943 when Carl Rose established the area’s first thoroughbred farm, Rosemere. Originally from Indiana, Rose recognized that the region’s limestone-rich soil and mild climate were ideal for building strong horses. He found quick success that others sought to replicate, with Needles from the Bonnie Heath farm winning the Kentucky Derby in 1956 and cementing the region as one of the best in the world for raising horses.

This map of Marion County was compiled by Carl G. Rose and Chris Palmer and published in 1958 by Turf Express, Inc. and O’Dare’s Horse Transport, Inc. (both of Hialeah, FL). Ocala is relegated to a simple black box in the center of the image, connected via major roads to the surrounding ranches and farms – nearly 30 in all are shown. Manuscript updates reflect numerous changes, perhaps to be incorporated into an updated edition. The ‘new airport’ likely references the Ocala International Airport, which opened in the early 1960s.