The gun battle at the Ma Barker House lasted approximately six hours. It began early in the morning on January 16, 1935, and ended around 11:30 a.m. The intense shootout involved Ma Barker and her son Fred, who were barricaded inside the house, refusing to surrender to the FBI. The house still bears the scars of this historic standoff, with bullet holes visible in its walls and furniture.

The Ma Barker House features much of the original furniture from the infamous shootout. The bullet-riddled rocking chair and other furnishings that were present during the standoff. These artifacts help preserve the house’s authenticity and provide a vivid glimpse into its dramatic history.

The shootout at the Ma Barker House is an incredible tale of persistence and strategy. In January 1935, the FBI tracked the Barker-Karpis Gang to their hideout near Lake Weir, thanks to intercepted communications that mentioned clues like “Old Joe,” the massive gator nearby. The agents surrounded the home early in the morning, and what followed was a six-hour gun battle that ended with the deaths of Ma Barker and her son Fred. The house, riddled with bullet holes, stands as a chilling reminder of that fateful day.

“Old Joe” was a legendary alligator, often associated with the area around Lake Weir in Florida, near the Ma Barker House. He was a massive gator, and locals loved to share stories about him. Old Joe became a part of the folklore surrounding the region, adding a bit of wild charm to the area’s history.