Historic Museum theme song. Turn it up!
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 was to raise the $3070 needed to qualify as a Florida Historic Site, through efforts at the Orange-A-Fair 2026. Although the net outcome was short of our goal, we remain focused on the next step of renovations made possible with Orange-A-Fair Health Fair 03/20/2027.