Ocklawaha, a quiet town that prides itself on its unassuming charm, might not be the first place you’d think to find the FBI’s longest gun battle. But back in January 1935, the sleepy streets became the backdrop for a historic showdown with Ma Barker and her notorious gang. With over 1,500 rounds of ammunition flying through the air, Fred Barker and Ma met their end at the hands of federal agents. For years after, Ocklawaha residents would tell stories of standing by and watching as history unfolded before their eyes. And the house where it all happened? Well, it still stands—albeit a bit worse for wear—with its bullet-riddled walls bearing silent witness to that infamous day.
Fast-forward to 2016, and the Ma Barker house was once again the talk of the town. With its future up in the air (the property had been sold), the house was on the verge of being lost to time. But a group of locals, led by George Albright III, rallied to save the house. The plan? Move it. Simple, right? Not quite. You can’t just pick up a 100-year-old, 75-ton house and plop it somewhere else without a little more thought—and a little more cash. After all, the house had to travel through a maze of trees and power lines.
So, what did they do? They floated it. Yes, you read that right. They put the house on a barge and sent it across Lake Weir. A 3,000-square-foot relic gliding across the water? It was a sight to behold. Spectators piled into over 50 boats, all eager to witness history in the making. News outlets from Orlando rushed to cover the spectacle, cementing the house’s place in Ocklawaha lore.
But the story doesn’t stop there. The house wasn’t just part of a history lesson for those watching. It was also a link to the past for locals like Roy Abshier, whose father, Alfred, had once gone on a hunting trip with the Barkers under their alias, the Blackbirds. The two families had become friendly, even going hunting in the Ocala National Forest together. But when Alfred found out the true identity of his hunting buddies—wanted criminals on the run—it was a bit of a shock. Especially when he learned Fred Barker had been the subject of a practical joke involving a live owl in his tent. Imagine pranking a wanted murderer—and not knowing it at the time. You’d think Alfred might’ve had second thoughts about that joke if he’d known the true nature of his hunting companions.
In the end, the Ma Barker house survived, thanks to the hard work of local leaders and the ingenuity of those willing to think outside the box—er, barge. The house may have floated across the lake, but the stories of its past are still anchored in the community. After all, Ocklawaha has always had a way of keeping history alive, whether through reenactments or the tales passed down from one generation to the next.
