The Marion County Board of Commissioners commemorated the 175th anniversary of the county with a time capsule during its general meeting on Tuesday, May 7.
The capsule will be opened in 25 years on the 200th anniversary of the county.
During Tuesday’s meeting, nearly two dozen dignitaries from governmental departments within Marion County and all over the state of Florida placed items into the time capsule as a tribute to the county’s special anniversary.
Mayor Christine Dobkowski of Belleview, Mayor Dale Burns of Dunnellon, and Mayor Kent Guinn of Ocala were among those to place items in the capsule.
“It’s always an honor to be in the presence of people that take their job humbly, but are lead by something bigger by they are. I am honored to be standing up here, and our city is honored that the commissioners look out for their small sister on the west side,” said Burns.
Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn included a USB flash drive with images and photos of projects, as well as a firefighter badge and patch, police badge, and business cards from Police Chief Greg Graham.
Marion County Tax Collector George Albright, on behalf of the Ma Barker House, brought a bullet from the historical gun fight that made the home legendary in Marion County.
Florida State Sen. Dennis Baxley was one of the state dignitaries that made an appearance. Baxley’s contribution to the time capsule was a resolution commemorating the 175th anniversary of Marion County and recognizing March 25 as “Marion County Day” in the state of Florida.
“Thank you for the honor of serving this great community alongside you. We have an incredibly wonderful relationship alongside local officials, and that’s the way it should be, because we’re making this mark together,” said Baxley.
To see the time capsule before it is opened in 25 years, head down to the McPherson Governmental Campus at 601 SE 25th Avenue.