Just after the Civil War tourists discover the dazzling artesian springs south of Gainesville. By the late 1800s, Silver Springs becomes the first commercial tourist attraction in Florida, and with national media promotion, it becomes a mandatory stop of the wealthy on their "grand tour" of Florida.
In the late 1860s tourists visit Silver Springs via steamboats on the Silver River.
Under new management in 1924, Col. W.M. Davidson and Carl Ray perfect what would be an exciting way to enjoy the river and solidify Silver Springs as Florida's premiere attraction: The Glass Bottom Boat Tour.
Guests enjoy boating down the Silver River on the Jungle Cruise while the captain feeds monkeys brought in from Southeast Asia. Glass bottom boats stop at the “Shrine of the Water Gods” and guests visit the “Prince of Peace” memorial featuring dioramas throughout seven small chapels. Also on the attractions list are the Deer Ranch and Santa’s Land!
In the 1950s-1960s underwater publicity scenes of everyday life are used to promote the spring’s crystal water. Iconic photos by Bruce Mozert feature such scenes as friends enjoying coffee, women “sunbathing” and a man “mowing” his “yard” as his wife “trims the hedges.” To view more of his work click here: Bruce Mozert Photography
The Silver Screen Comes to Silver Springs
Hollywood discovers Silver Springs in the 1930s. The crystal waters are ideal for underwater scenes and the lush jungle tropical landscape is the perfect setting for six Tarzan films and three James Bond movies. Below is a sampling of movies filmed at the springs:
Tarzan the Ape Man (1932) starring Johnny Weissmuller & Maureen O’Sullivan
Tarzan Finds a Son (1939) starring Johnny Weissmuller & Maureen O’Sullivan
Distant Drums (1951) starring Gary Cooper
Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) starring Richard Carlson & Julie Adams
Jupiter’s Darling (1954) starring Esther Williams & Howard Keel
Revenge of the Creature (1955) starring John Agar & Lori Nelson
Thunderball (1965) starring Sean Connery
Moonraker (1979) starring Roger Moore
Never Say Never Again (1983) starring Sean Connery
Legend (1985) starring Tom Cruise
Gary Cooper’s 1951 Distant Drums movie poster describes “the rescue — the throbbing jungle-drums — the man-devouring marsh-wilderness aflame with unseen menace!”
1960's
The popular television show Sea Hunt (1957-1961) often filmed episodes at the springs. Shown here is Lloyd Bridges, star of the series and father to actors Beau and Jeff Bridges.
Unfortunately, as the attraction grows in popularity, so do the myriad of sideshows and concessions. Petting zoos and amusement park rides devalued the natural wonder. As development increased nearby, chemical runoff contaminated the aquifer and pollutants endangered the springs. Attendance waned and the underwater fairyland could not compete with the new and nearby Disney World.
Rehabilitating the Springs
Silver Springs needed saving. Beginning in 1993, the first scientific studies of the springs are conducted, and rehabilitation of the abundant wildlife is begun. Today the Florida Park Service manages, restores, and preserves the 4,000- acre Silver Springs State Park encompassing not only Silver Springs and the surrounding sandhill forest, but the entire 5-mile Silver River.
Currently Silver Springs offers canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and its iconic, but updated, glass bottom boat tour.
The park is open 7 days a week from 8 AM to Sunset.
Check out their website for more information about visiting:
Written by: Linda Kulmann, WPHM Archivist
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