The Rise and Fall of Francis “Cowboy” Williams By Ken Marotte, Citrus County Historical Society Francis “Cowboy” Williams was once known as “Mr. Citrus County”. He instinctively understood how to relate to the people in the County which made him a beloved local...
The Legacy of Ralph “Elmer” Van Ness By: Ken Marotte, Citrus County Historical Society “He was a wizard with plants and the land. I think Elmer was the best farmer this county ever saw”. – Judge E.C. May The Van Ness family is recognized as pioneer settlers of...
Law & Order – Citrus County : 1890’s Edition By Ken Marotte, Citrus County Historical Society Many people have an idealized vision of what life must have been like in the 1890’s. Were ladies with parasols gliding down the streets of Floral City, Inverness...
The Youngest Mayor in Florida BY Ken Marotte, Citrus County Historical Society A family tragedy called a man back to his home in Inverness. Little did he know that in a year’s time his supporters would hail him as “the Youngest Mayor in Florida.” Conrad and Morris...
The Cleveland Indians in Citrus County? By Ken Marotte, Citrus County Historical Society MLB Spring Training – Big Business Major league baseball teams have traveled to Florida for Spring training for over 100 years. The warm temperatures and better field conditions...
The Lost Movie Theatres of Inverness By Ken Marotte, Citrus County Historical Society The Valerie Theatre has become an important part of the Inverness entertainment scene. Most people are aware that it was built in the 1920s, experienced a decline over the years that...
