Fort McCoy, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fort McCoy
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Fort McCoy Post Office
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| Nickname(s):
Ft. McCoy
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Location in the state of Florida
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Florida |
| County | Marion |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
32134
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| Area code(s) | 352 |
Fort McCoy is a small community in Marion County, Florida, United States. It's not a city with its own government, but rather an "unincorporated area." You can find it northeast of Ocala. It sits between the towns of Sparr and Eureka. It's also north of Silver Springs. Fort McCoy is part of the larger Ocala area.
Contents
Where is Fort McCoy?
Fort McCoy is located in a specific spot on the map. It's found west of the large Ocala National Forest. This forest is a beautiful natural area.
The History of Fort McCoy
Fort McCoy was first called Fort Mackay. The name comes from two early settlers. Both MacKay and MacCoy were killed during conflicts with Native Americans. The town is named after Jeb MacCoy. His name is spelled a bit differently now.
Early Conflicts and Naming
Jeb MacCoy was killed while taking his family to Fort Russell. This happened when tensions with Native Americans grew worse. Captain Mackay led the local militia. He was killed on March 20, 1839. This happened while he was exploring Itonia Scrub.
Schools in Fort McCoy
The first school in Fort McCoy was likely a log cabin. It was built near the fort. People believe it was left empty during the Second Seminole War.
The Union Church School
Later, the Union Church was built. It was near the Fort McCoy Cemetery. This church building was also used as a school. Church services were held there on weekends.
New School Buildings
Between the 1890s and early 1900s, a wooden school was built. Sadly, this building was destroyed by fire in 1935. A new, small school was then built. It was for about 75 students. Dr. Percy F. Lisk donated the land for it. The new brick school opened in 1936. In the 1940s, it was known as Fort McCoy High School.
Changes to Fort McCoy Schools
Fort McCoy High School closed in 1963. But it soon reopened as Fort McCoy Elementary School. More families moved to Fort McCoy over the years. By the 1980s, the school property had many "portable classrooms."
Because the building was 50 years old and the population grew, a new school was planned. The Marion County School Board decided this in 1986. The old brick building became the Fort McCoy Public Library in 1996. It had a $60,000 update.
Modern Education in Fort McCoy
In 1988, the new school campus opened. It was renamed Fort McCoy School. This school now teaches students from Pre-Kindergarten to eighth grade. This campus is still used today.
Most younger kids go to Fort McCoy School. For high school, most students attend North Marion High School. Some students also go to Lake Weir High School.
