Silver Springs Cypress
by Robert Wilder Jr
Title
Silver Springs Cypress
Artist
Robert Wilder Jr
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Silver Springs was a major Florida attraction in the late nineteenth century into the twentieth century. The crystal clear water and exotic landscape was a major tourist draw. Over the years a succession of attraction were brought to the springs.
Glass bottom boats were developed to allow visitors to see the fish that lived in the springs.
A jungle cruise offered a trip through the jungles bordering the river. To make the ride a bit more intersting monkeys were brought in to inhabit an island built in the middle of the river. Unfortunately the monkeys that were sent were excellent swimmers and were already on their way off the island as soon as they were released. Their descendants still live in the area.
Several movies were filmed in the springs as was the television show "Sea Hunt" Many movie props were left behind, becoming another tourist attraction.
As happened with many of Florida's old attractions, the times, and mouse, meant less crowds at the park. Owners found it harder and harder to maintain the park. In order to protect the river the state bought 500 acres surrounding the river and turned it into a state park.
The state bought the springs themselves in 1993, but let the current owners continue to operate the park. When they were unable to continue operating the park due to financial and environmental issues (algae caused a major fish kill and as much as 85% of the fish died) the state took over control of the area in 2013. The state cleaned up the springs and the are is now all one large state park providing hiking, camping and water activities.
I have not been to the park since the state took it over.
Uploaded
November 11th, 2016
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Viewed 1,003 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 03/27/2024 at 10:38 AM
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