Historic marker

Elvis emerges from Commercial Bank (later SunTrust) in downtown Ocala during part of the filming of “Follow That Dream.” [Photo courtesy city of Ocala]

On Dec. 16, members of the Ocala City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to designate a downtown property as a historic landmark and install a marker commemorating a 1961 meeting between Elvis Presley and a young Tom Petty.

The site, located at the southeast corner of 117 E. Silver Springs Blvd., is the former Commercial Bank and Trust Company where Presley filmed some of the scenes for his movie “Follow That Dream.” Most of the movie was shot on locations in the areas of Inverness, Inglis and Crystal River. It had its world premiere at the Marion Theatre in Ocala in 1962.

The proposal, submitted by Paul Stentiford on behalf of the Ocala Sunset Rotary Club, places the marker, titled “Elvis in Ocala, Tom Petty Inspired,” at the northeast corner of East Silver Springs Boulevard and Northeast Osceola Avenue. The vacant commercial property, owned by Austin International RLT, LLC, spans about 0.64 acres and falls under the city’s form-based code zoning in a high-intensity central core area.

In July 1961, Presley arrived in Ocala to shoot footage at the bank, drawing crowds of spectators as the production transformed the downtown area into a film set. Among those watching was 10-year-old Tom Petty from nearby Gainesville. His uncle, Earl Jernigan, worked on the crew, allowing Petty and his Aunt Evelyn and cousins Sadie and Norma to access the site and briefly meet the star. The encounter sparked Petty’s passion for music, leading him to pursue a career that made him a rock legend.

Tom Petty later reflected on the moment in the 2005 book “Conversations with Tom Petty” by Paul Zollo, recalling how his aunt invited him to the set. In other interviews, including on the “Ultimate Classic Rock Nights” radio show, he described becoming obsessed with Elvis records afterward.

“I played these records to the point my parents began to worry that something was wrong with me. I’m in about the fifth grade, and I’m playing 1950s records, and it’s all I want to talk about. Even the other kids thought it was weird,” said Petty.

The marker highlights this cultural moment, linking Ocala’s history to American popular music.

According to Greg Davis, Ocala’s public information officer, city staff reviewed the research and documentation provided by the applicant, which was presented to the Ocala Historic Preservation Advisory Board for recommendation of approval. The process follows established procedures for state historic landmark consideration.

“The proposed marker aligns with the city’s heritage preservation goals by recognizing a culturally significant moment tied to nationally recognized artists and Ocala’s local history,” Davis said.

“The designation supports public education and heritage tourism by formally documenting and sharing the city’s historical assets,” he continued.

The Ocala Historic Preservation Advisory Board recommended approval and the Florida Division of Historical Resources is involved in the state marker application process. The proposal was advertised and discussed at an open board meeting, where public feedback was positive.

The Ocala Sunset Rotary Club is leading the project and providing funding for the marker’s design, fabrication and installation. The club will also handle long-term maintenance.

“The city will coordinate installation of the marker once the project is ready. The timing will depend on completion of the remaining steps required for state historic landmark designation and project readiness by the applicant,” Davis noted.

The proposed location for the Tom Petty and Elvis Presley historical marker is on the left corner. The building on the right is the former Commercial Bank where Presley’s movie “Follow That Dream” was filmed in part. [Photo courtesy city of Ocala]