A 1925 Mission-style apartment building on the National Register of Historic Places in Ocala, now housing veterans through Volunteers of America, where a Prohibition-era fire legend drives persistent ghost reports despite lack of documentary evidence.
1205 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL 34470
Research updated June 2026
Age
All Ages
Cost
$
Veteran housing facility; no public dark-tourism access. Exterior viewable from Silver Springs Blvd.
Access
Limited Access
Historic 1920s building; some access limitations
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1925 · National Register of Historic Places (1986) — ref. 86001722 · Notable example of Florida boom-era Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival architecture · Now serves as Ocala Ritz Veterans Village through Volunteers of America Florida
The Ritz Apartment building at 1205 East Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala, Florida, was constructed in 1925 by Bert Acker and Ocala judge Simeon Sistrunk. Designed by local architect Frederick T. Uezzell, the Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival structure originally offered 16 spacious apartments, each with individual fireplaces, private balconies, and sun porches — luxuries typical of the Florida real estate boom of the mid-1920s.
In 1941, wartime housing pressures led owners to subdivide three of the larger apartments into six smaller units and convert a community room into two efficiency apartments. The building was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on August 21, 1986 (reference 86001722).
By the early 21st century the building had again passed through several uses. Around 2010, Volunteers of America Florida took stewardship of the property and converted it into supportive housing for homeless veterans, operating as the Ocala Ritz Veterans Village. The facility provides case management, substance recovery support, and employment services.
Despite its popularity in local ghost lore, no documentary evidence of a fire at the building has been found. A 2022 article in 352Today explicitly states: 'Although there isn't a specified date linked to the fire and no evidence has been found that the inn burned down, it doesn't stop locals from speculating.'
Sources
The haunted legend of the Ritz Historical Inn in Ocala centers on a story that a devastating fire during the Prohibition era killed several guests who had gathered for one of the building's famous speakeasy parties. According to the lore, you can still hear the screams of the victims, and the cold presence of the dead lingers throughout the building.
However, local media coverage has directly addressed this narrative: a 352Today article on Ocala's haunted hotspots states that 'although there isn't a specified date linked to the fire and no evidence has been found that the inn burned down, it doesn't stop locals from speculating.' No newspaper archives, fire marshal records, or historical society documents have been found that confirm a fatal fire at this address.
Despite the absence of documentary evidence for the fire, visitors and residents have reported unexplained lights turning on by themselves, disembodied voices, and visual apparitions within the building. Ocala ghost tour operators have included the building on their circuits. The building's long history and notable architecture lend it an atmospheric quality that supports the tradition even without factual corroboration.
Media Appearances
Admire the 1925 Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival architecture from Silver Springs Blvd. The building is on the NRHP and is a notable example of Florida boom-era design. No interior access for visitors.
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