08/28/2026
Friday Feature:
Ma Barker House
https://f.mtr.cool/y769ow1gue
The Bradford–Ma Barker House is one of Marion County's most fascinating historic landmarks. Built in 1930 as a quiet family vacation home overlooking Lake Weir, it became infamous in January 1935 when notorious gangster Kate "Ma" Barker and her son Fred used it as a hideout while fleeing the FBI. After a four-hour gun battle—the longest shootout in FBI history at the time—both were killed inside the home.
Today, the house has been preserved and relocated to Carney Island Recreation & Conservation Area in Ocklawaha, where visitors can take guided tours and see original bullet holes, period furnishings (also with bullet holes), and exhibits about the Barker-Karpis Gang and the dramatic FBI raid. It's a unique piece of Depression-era crime history and one of the most unusual attractions in the Ocala area.
