Credit: The Star Banner 10/26/2016
On July 27, 1922, a Thursday, the Bank of Citra opened its doors for business.
Back in 1922, Citra was a center of commerce for north Marion County east of Orange Lake. The railroad built in the 1880s helped the community grow into a major citrus shipping area. During this time period, according to longtime resident Joyce Crosby, a spur of the railroad went to the citrus packing houses in the area.
In the Nov. 7, 1922, Ocala Evening Star, there is mention that “The new Bank of Citra, which organized July 1 with deposits of $15,000, has more than doubled its deposits in four months.”
A few lines down in the same column it was written that “the $30,000 ice and light plant was nearing completion and the streets of Citra will soon be illuminated with electric lights.” The writer goes on to say that “Crosby & Wartmann will soon have their new packing house, which is to be the largest in this vicinity.”
The bank failed, as did many banks during the years of the Great Depression, which began with the stock market crash on Oct. 29, 1929.
Yet, while the Bank of Citra may not have survived the massive economic downturn, the citrus industry did survive, at least until freezes in the 1960s, '70s and '80s destroyed many groves.
On Saturday March 7th 2026, the doors of the old brick building again will open, so visitors of the 15th annual Citra Orange A-Fair can tour the venue, which is being restored and renovated to house the Citra Historical Museum.
Our Goal is to raise the $3070 needed to qualify as a Florida Historic Site, through efforts at the Orange A-Fair 2026.
Historic Museum Committee Meeting Minutes
11/06/2025
Historical Society Museum Workshop
Historic Museum Subcommittee members: Joanne Brayton, Betty Crosby, Guinn, Kevin, Terry Dawkins, Donna Helzer, Mark Helzer, R and Chris K, TK, Sylvia Pons Letiner, Karen Medema, Catherine Moody Hall, Connie Pinner, Winifred Pons, Ruth Prince, David Pugh, Ruth Sims, Billy Ward, Elaine Watt, Terri Williams, Altha Wimberly
18:12 Effort to obtain contact information for each member on the Historic Museum Subcommittee for cancelation, changes or quick developments. Still missing some information, we will attempt at a later meeting.
18:15 November Developments
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Placing the “Angel Tree” from the November 22nd Community Yard Sale inside the museum. The thought was to not decorate the windows or door with lights but rather have the Angel Tree illuminate the entire inside of the Museum in a quiet reflection of the season.
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Determine that the countertop for the bank/post office will be made of either pine or cypress (both types of wood were likely used originally.
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Replacement glass for the windows and doors will be ordered this week with a goal of replacement by Thanksgiving. A special “Thank you” to Kevin Guinn for orchestrating this.
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Wanted to honor the Moody family request to have at least one brick from the cistern (on the cleared property) on display in the Museum. The placement of the special brick has not yet been determined.
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The October Orlando Florida Historical Society annual meeting and symposium unfortunately was not attended due to family emergency however we remain active members in their cause and have access to documenta and other historical factors.
18:30 The Museum’s participation in the Orange A-Fair
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Request that Sylvia Pons Litener and Karen Medema be the representatives inside the Museum during the festival as they are a great representative of Citra Heritage, pending their acceptance of course.
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Have historical VHS tapes and interviews (Billy Ward in custody of those tapes) played inside the Museum during the festival.
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Have the atmosphere of the museum to be one of class and excellence even if we have not completed the restoration by offering orange juice and Cheese hors d'oeuvres with classical 1920’s music playing quietly in the background. The display includes a backdrop of fresh fruit and agricultural produce that was available when the commissary was operational.
18:40 Gathering memorabilia is an ongoing effort. We believe with the developments of the Museum and the new security procedures, perhaps more families will be willing to have their artifacts on display. We are requesting Billy Ward to reach out to Raylon Haily who may have some items he collected earlier this year.
18:42 Security surveillance and cameras are an immediate plan. We have some cameras that were donated that record for later viewing but do not interface with internet for sending immediate alerts. There is a possibility of utilizing some cameras that send immediate photos and alerts to our Security Director with use of either spectrum, Verizon or other cell towers. For now, our goal is to get the cameras we have operational.
18:45 Thirty-four sheets of drywall that is required for the interior of the museum have been donated by an anonymous source along with fasteners. We brainstormed how to manage the labor force if there aren’t enough of our members that will volunteer and thought perhaps a local Boy Scout Troupe (ROTC or High School students who need community hours for college) could assist with moving the panels, cleaning, sweeping etc. Terry Dawkins will reach out to a Boy Scout Troupe for possible assistance.
18:50 Designing the Museum Interior
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The front inside wall around the doors will be left open and exposed as they currently are after a cleaning and applying a sealant to protect them.
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The lower part of the walls near the post office will have wainscoting.
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Interior color over the drywall will be a matt/chalk white to simulate the original interior walls.
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The cement/tile floor pattern will be cleaned and sealed. We have purchased the sealant for the floor.
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The Baby Grand Piano (original from an area music teacher from 1920’s) estimated to move and assemble is $399, we thought we could do it safely rather than hiring a piano moving company. Current plan is to use a motor lift (cherry picker) to support the piano horizontal as each end is supported until it is high enough to attach the three legs. Piano placement is at the rear of the Museum near the Commissary display.
19:12 Adjournment
Respectfully submitted,
Joanne Brayton