Marion’s neighboring Levy and Citrus counties offer a wealth of opportunities for outdoor adventures, tasty dining options, unique lodging experiences and the chance to revisit the historic places that were key elements in the filming of Elvis Presley’s ninth motion picture.
Just a short drive from Ocala, you can step back in time to visit historic locations in Citrus and Levy counties that are tied to Elvis Presley, the singer, actor and entertainer who remains a cultural icon today. It was in the summer of 1961 that Presley was in the area to film his ninth motion picture, Follow That Dream.
Some of the scenes were filmed in a bank in downtown Ocala, but that venue is now privately owned and is not open to enthusiasts. In our neighboring counties, however, fans are warmly welcomed at the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum in downtown Inverness, where the movie’s climatic courthouse scenes were shot. The beautifully restored venue houses numerous displays on the bottom floor, but it is the top floor that appeals to those eager to be on the trail. And, of special note, scenes from the movie were used to help restore the courthouse to its original splendor during renovations.
During a recent tour, Steve Hrycaj, chair of the Inverness Cultural Heritage Council of the Citrus County Historical Society, regaled our group of visitors with anecdotes about the weeks that Elvis and company basically took over the town, such as that it was so hot the actor had to continually keep changing shirts, which one intrepid local boy took to his mother for laundering day after day.
Across the street from the courthouse museum is the equally historic Valerie Theatre, where Elvis and the cast would review daily takes. The tour group was treated to a viewing of the film there on a Thursday night, which was opened to the public and sold out all the seats.
Follow That Dream is a fun, yet heartwarming and inspiring movie, with a story line about a ragtag “family” of vagabonds who set up lean-tos and other “facilities” (a cantankerous outhouse) on a Florida “beach.” You can still visit that beach area, but it looks far different nowadays as all the white beach sand that was hauled in is now covered up by native palms, palmettos and scrub oaks.
That’s where the Follow That Dream Parkway comes in. Opening scenes in the film show the family driving into a tree-shaded lane, where they are stopped by a log across the road. You can still visit that site, on US Highway 19 and North Basswood Avenue, north of Crystal River, where the family trespasses onto the movie version of an unopened new highway. A little further north, in the Inglis/Yankeetown area, the parkway leads you to the Bird Creek Bridge and Pumpkin Island, where the artificial beach set was built in 1961. As you begin that journey, stop at the Withlacoochee Gulf Area Chamber of Commerce, where a statue of Elvis and an interactive kiosk await you. Plus, you can sit for a photo op on a piece of the guardrail the actor sat on in the film.
According to a blog post on the Discover Crystal River website, Bird Creek is one of 11 locations in or near Citrus County that Elvis fans have on their must-see list. Among the sites is the Port Paradise Hotel in Crystal River, where he and members of his entourage stayed during the filming.
Area historian Kathy Turner Thompson recalls that Elvis bought a boat and enjoyed being on the water in Kings Bay, which is world famous for its manatee encounter experiences. She shared information to the tour group about colorful characters at the time, such as the then-Sheriff Francis “Cowboy” Williams, and his teenage daughter Katie and her friends Ann and Emily. A narrative provided by Thompson notes that Elvis had his eye on young Katie, which met with disapproval from her famous father. Thompson also shares that while Elvis was in the area, he was surrounded by people wanting autographs and photos and that “he took the time to give an autograph, he greeted people and smiled, he didn’t shut people out the whole time he was here.”
The movie, which also starred Arthur O’Connell, Anne Helm, Joanna Moore and Roland Winters, had its debut at the Marion Theatre in Ocala. According to the March 19, 1962 issue of the Ocala Star-Banner, the premiere was scheduled for April 10 that year. The star did not attend, but the dignitaries on hand did include the wife of then-Florida Gov. Farris Bryant.
Stroll, Shop and Dine
Downtown Inverness is a very walkable area and lives up to the town motto of “Small Town Done Right.” You can start by booking a stay the WoodSprings Suites Inverness hotel, which is within a block of a number of shops, stores, breweries and eateries. I recommend starting your day at Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters, with the Cali Toast breakfast sandwich. It is served with side of fruit and when you add a cup of freshly roasted and brewed dark, rich coffee, you just can’t go wrong.
Inverness is surrounded by Lake Henderson and Lake Tsala Apopka. For a lunch treat, check out The Cove Resort and Pub, which offers RV sites, spacious cabins and quirky small cottages for rent, all perched on the edge of the waterways. The pub is a huge venue with a big menu. Try the Oinkers, their homemade potato chips loaded with tasty pulled pork and a special sauce. My take-home portion of the jumbo wings slathered with Sergeant Major sauce had me happily knoshing late one night in my hotel room!
For a fine dining experience, you must visit Oscar Penn’s. This landmark (a historic home near downtown) is under the careful guidance of owner and executive chef Jason Counsel. He and his team create some outstanding dishes, such as the Golden Tile Fish special enjoyed by a few members of our tour and hand-cut steaks that are fork-tender and extremely tasty.
For fun, visit The Depot District, where you can rent bikes and take off to explore the Withlacoochee State Trail and Liberty and Wallace Brooks parks. While there, stop at the historic Train Station, where you can chow down on handhelds, pizzas and more. And you can do some Duckpin Bowling, which is a mini version of the traditional sport. And be sure to keep an eye for a number of colorful murals painted on buildings all around downtown.
Swim, Paddle and Chill
Crystal River is the Manatee Capital of the World and home to the only National Wildlife Refuge in the United States created to protect habitats for Florida’s beloved official marine animal. This is where you can swim with the legendary sea cows, under the careful watch of volunteer rangers and tour operators, for a truly thrilling experience.
During the summer, you can also go “scalloping” to haul in a catch of tasty bay scallops, which many area eateries will prepare to your liking. For a special treat, visit the Waterfront Social restaurant and tiki bar, at the old site of the Port Hotel and Marina, which offers amazing food and drinks (try the Grand Floridian!) and mesmerizing views of Kings Bay and the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, where kayaking is a popular activity.
There is a whole lot more to do, see, eat and enjoy in these areas of our beautiful state. So, the next time you want some adventure close to home, or want to Follow That Dream, just head south. OS
To learn more, visit discovercrystalriverfl.com, cccourthouse.org and inglisyankeetownchamber.com
