90 Years Later, Ma Barker’s Infamous Legacy Commemorated with Plaque

A plaque unveiled in Ocklawaha honors Ma Barker’s notorious history 90 years after her deadly shootout with the FBI

90 Years Later, Ma Barker’s Infamous Legacy Commemorated with Plaque
90 Years Later, Ma Barker’s Infamous Legacy Commemorated with Plaque

Ocklawaha: On a gloomy Thursday morning, retired FBI agent Doug Jones spoke to a small crowd outside the Bradford-Ma Barker House. He reflected on the infamous shootout that took place 90 years ago, marking the end of the Barker-Karpis Gang.

Back then, the house was on the other side of Lake Weir, and the air was filled with gunfire. Ma Barker and her son Fred were killed after a four-and-a-half-hour standoff, which remains the longest shootout in FBI history.

On Friday, local dignitaries and students visited the house, still bearing bullet holes from that fateful day. Jones presented a plaque from the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI, honoring the house’s notorious past.

The house was moved across the lake nearly eight years ago and has been restored to resemble its original look, now serving as a museum. George Albright III, the Marion County tax collector, led efforts to save the house after its owners planned to demolish it.

He believed it was important for people to know their history. The house is now filled with period artifacts, giving visitors a glimpse into the past.

Ma Barker’s dramatic end was legendary, especially during a time when the FBI was battling notorious gangs. Agents discovered the house’s location after arresting another of her sons, leading to the fateful morning of January 16, 1935.

The FBI surrounded the house, thinking there were several gang members inside. But it was just Ma and Fred. They refused to surrender, and the gunfire erupted. An estimated 2,000 rounds were exchanged, with agents later recovering a stash of weapons from the scene.

No agents were hurt, and the shootout marked a turning point in America’s view of gangsters. The Bradford-Ma Barker House now symbolizes more than just violence; it reflects the myths and realities of the Great Depression era.

Terry Turner, a tour guide, shares stories of infamous gangsters, including Barker. While she was a notorious figure, some argue she wasn’t the mastermind behind the gang’s crimes.

The preservation of the house isn’t about glorifying crime but recognizing a dark chapter in history. It serves as a reminder of the past and the importance of law enforcement’s role in combating crime.

Visitors can tour the house, but they need to book in advance due to high demand. Albright emphasizes that this story is a testament to law enforcement’s efforts to end a violent era in American history.

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