Silver Springs, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Silver Springs, Florida
|
|
|---|---|
|
|
Location of Silver Springs, Florida
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| County | Marion County |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.19 sq mi (16.0 km2) |
| • Land | 6.16 sq mi (16.0 km2) |
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2) |
| Elevation | 47 ft (14 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 2,844 |
| • Density | 461.7/sq mi (178.3/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes |
34488-34489 (Silver Springs)
34470, 34479 (Ocala) |
| FIPS code | 12-66125 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2805193 |
Silver Springs is a small community in northern Florida. It is located in Marion County. This area is famous for its amazing natural springs. These springs are now part of Silver Springs State Park.
Silver Springs is also part of the larger Ocala metropolitan area. In 2020, about 2,844 people lived here.
The springs have been a popular place to visit for a very long time. People came here even before the U.S. Civil War. One of the most famous ways to see the springs is by riding in Glass-bottom boats. These boats let you look right into the clear water below! There used to be a small amusement park here too. It had animal exhibits, a carousel, and a stage for shows.
Contents
History of Silver Springs
Silver Springs was officially started in 1852.
Since the mid-1800s, people have loved visiting the beautiful natural springs. The idea of using glass-bottom boats to explore the springs began in the late 1870s. In the 1920s, two people named W. Carl Ray and W.M. "Shorty" Davidson helped turn the land around the springs into a big attraction. It became known as the Silver Springs Nature Theme Park.
This park had exhibits with local animals. It also offered boat tours that lasted 30 or 90 minutes. You could see the underwater world through the glass bottom of the boats. The Princess Donna boat, built in 1934, is the oldest boat still working from that time. Today, it operates on the Rainbow River in Dunnellon, Florida.
In 2013, the State of Florida took over the park. They combined it with the nearby Silver River State Park. This created the new Silver Springs State Park. The historic T. W. Randall House is also located nearby.
Some other fun places used to be near Silver Springs. Six Gun Territory was a Western-themed theme park. It had a narrow-gauge railroad and was open from 1963 to 1984. Wild Waters was a water park that operated from 1978 to 2016.
For many years, Silver Springs was not open to everyone. In 1967, the park became open to all people. Before that, from 1949 to 1969, African Americans visited a separate park called Paradise Park, Florida. Paradise Park closed when Silver Springs welcomed all visitors.
Local Development and Water Use
A Canadian billionaire named Frank Stronach has been building a large ranch in the area. It is called the Adena Springs Ranch. This ranch includes places for cattle and horses. It also has plans for homes.
Some people are concerned about how much water the ranch will use. They worry that taking too much water from underground might affect the natural springs.
Geography of Silver Springs
Silver Springs is in the middle of Marion County. It is next to Ocala, which is the main city of the county. The Silver Springs area covers about 6.2 square miles. A very small part of this area, about 0.03 square miles, is water.
The famous springs are in the center of the community. Water from these springs flows out to form the Silver River. This river flows about 4 miles east into the Ocklawaha River.
Getting Around Silver Springs
The main road that goes through Silver Springs is State Road 40. It runs east and west. You can take it from Rainbow Lakes Estates to Ormond Beach.
Other important roads include State Road 326 and State Road 35. County Roads 314 and 314A are also important. They lead into the beautiful Ocala National Forest.
Famous People from Silver Springs
- Ross Allen, a scientist who studied reptiles and amphibians.
- Bruce Mozert, a photographer known for his underwater pictures.
- Ted Potter Jr., a professional PGA Tour golfer.
Gallery
-
Silver Springs State Park
-
T. W. Randall House
-
The Princess Donna
-
The oldest operational glass bottom boat in Florida
