Silver Springs (attraction) facts for kids
Park entrance
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| Date opened | 1878 (when glass-bottom boats were first used) |
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| Date closed | Open 8AM to Sunset |
| Location | Silver Springs, Florida, United States of America |
| Coordinates | 29°13′05″N 82°03′16″W / 29.21806°N 82.05454°W |
| Major exhibits | Glass-bottom boat rides |
Silver Springs is a special place in Florida with a group of natural springs. These springs are like giant underground fountains that push water up to the surface. Silver Springs is known as the largest natural artesian spring in the world!
It's also home to Florida's oldest commercial tourist attraction, which started way back in 1878. People love to visit Silver Springs for its famous glass-bottom boat tours. These boats let you see right through the water to the amazing underwater world below!
For a long time, Silver Springs was a private park with a small amusement area. It was even a popular spot for filming Hollywood movies, especially the old Tarzan films.
Over the years, the park faced some challenges, like pollution affecting the water. In 2013, the State of Florida took over the park. It then became part of the Silver Springs State Park, combining with the nearby Silver River State Park. Now, it's a beautiful state park where you can enjoy nature and learn about its history.
Contents
A Look Back: The History of Silver Springs
Early Days: The 1800s
Silver Springs was Florida's very first tourist attraction! In the 1860s, a man named Samuel O. Howse bought the land around the springs. After the American Civil War, visitors from the North started coming to see the springs by steamboat.
Silver Springs became famous across the country. It was a must-see stop on any "grand tour" of Florida.
In the late 1870s, two clever people, Hullam Jones and Phillip Morell, invented the glass-bottom boat. This allowed visitors to see the amazing underwater world of the springs without getting wet! The first railroad reached Silver Springs in 1879, making it even easier for people to visit. Even former president Ulysses S. Grant came to see the springs in 1880.
Growing Up: 1900-1961
In 1909, C. Carmichael bought some land and made the tour boats more comfortable. The springs became a filming location for movies, starting with The Seven Swans in 1916. President Calvin Coolidge also visited in the 1920s.
In 1924, W. Carl Ray and W. M. "Shorty" Davidson leased the land and added gasoline engines to the boats. A famous snake expert, Ross Allen, opened his "Ross Allen Reptile Institute" nearby. It was a huge hit with tourists for many years!
In the 1930s, a man named Colonel Tooey brought rhesus monkeys to an island in the Silver River for his "Jungle Cruise." He didn't know these monkeys were great swimmers! They quickly escaped and formed wild groups along the river, where you can still see them today.
Silver Springs became a very popular place for filming movies. In 1932, Tarzan the Ape Man with Johnny Weissmuller was filmed here. Many other Tarzan movies and even Creature from the Black Lagoon were filmed at the springs.
For a long time, the park had rules that separated people based on their skin color. In 1949, a special park called Paradise Park was opened for Black American visitors. Silver Springs became open to everyone in 1969, and Paradise Park closed.
By 1950, over 800,000 people visited Silver Springs each year! In 1955, a fire destroyed some buildings, but they were rebuilt. The TV show Sea Hunt also filmed episodes at Silver Springs from 1958 to 1961.
New Owners and Changes: 1962-1983
In 1962, the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) bought Silver Springs. They wanted to control all the attractions, including the Ross Allen Reptile Institute. Ross Allen eventually made a deal and stayed on as director for many years.
In 1971, Silver Springs was named a National Natural Landmark because of its importance as a natural resource. In 1973, the park started a program to help injured wildlife.
ABC expanded the park from 1974 to 1978. They opened Cypress Island, which had a new home for the Ross Allen Reptile Institute and animal shows. They also built a water park next door called Wild Waters.
More Growth and State Ownership: 1984-Present
In 1984, ABC sold the park to Florida Leisure Attractions. They added new attractions like a "Jeep Safari" in 1990, where visitors could see wild animals and even the treehouse from the old Tarzan movies!
In 1993, the first detailed scientific study of Silver Springs was done. It confirmed that it's the largest artesian spring in the United States. Later that year, the State of Florida bought the land, but private companies continued to manage the park.
More attractions were added, like "A Touch of Garlits" (a car museum) and the White Alligator exhibit. In 1996, Ogden Entertainment took over the lease and made big expansions, adding "World of Bears," "Big Gator Lagoon," and "Panther Prowl." Even Steve Irwin, the "Crocodile Hunter," visited the park in 1999!
In 2000, Cypress Island was renamed Ross Allen Island to honor the famous herpetologist. Later, SmartParks and then Palace Entertainment managed the park. Palace Entertainment changed the "Jungle Cruise" to the "Fort King River Cruise," focusing on Florida's history.
However, the springs started having problems. Pollution from nearby development caused algae to grow, harming the river. The amount of water flowing from the springs also decreased. These issues affected the park's health and visitor numbers.
In 2013, the State of Florida announced it would take over the park. The private park closed on September 21, 2013, and became part of the state park system, now known as Silver Springs State Park.
Exploring the Park: Areas and Attractions
Silver Springs State Park has different areas to explore, even though they aren't officially named "areas" anymore.
Entrance Area
When you arrive, you'll find the main gift shop near the entrance. Three flagpoles mark the spot where the path splits, leading to the head of Silver Springs. A plaque from 1972 reminds everyone that Silver Springs is a National Natural Landmark. To one side, you'll find shops and places to eat. To the other, there's a waiting area for the famous glass-bottom boat tours.
Ross Allen Island
Ross Allen Island is a special area with a boardwalk that was built on a 5.5-acre island. It first opened in 1974. It used to be home to the Ross Allen Reptile Institute, where you could see alligators, turtles, and snakes, and watch animal shows. The "Jungle Cruise" boat dock was also moved here.
During a big park expansion in the late 1990s, "Big Gator Lagoon" and "Panther Prowl" animal exhibits were added to the island. In 2000, the island was renamed Ross Allen Island to honor Ross Allen.
In 2013, many of the old buildings and animal exhibits on Ross Allen Island were taken down when the state took over. Today, a new, smaller boardwalk lets visitors explore the natural beauty of the island. Only the old Jungle Cruise dock (now a pavilion) and one amphitheater remain.
Twin Oaks Mansion Area (Former)
This area used to be home to the Twin Oaks Mansion, a large house built in 1997-1998. It also had the Kiddie Korral, a Giraffe exhibit, and the Silver River Showcase Theater. All of these attractions are now closed.
World of Bears Area (Former)
The World of Bears area was built during the 1997-98 expansion. It used to have the World of Bears exhibit, the Wilderness Trail ride, a gift shop, and a play area called Kids Ahoy! Playland. This entire area was closed and the buildings were removed when the state took over the park in 2013.
Fun Things to Do: Rides and Activities
Former Rides and Activities
Carousel
This carousel had 40 seats shaped like endangered animals. It was located near the Kids Ahoy! Playland.
Lighthouse Ride
This ride was like a mix of a carousel and a gondola. Passengers would rise 80 feet high for amazing views of the Silver River. It was taken down in 2013.
Wilderness Trail Ride
This was a Jeep ride that took guests through 35 acres of forest. You could see native animals, like the rhesus monkeys, and even the treehouse from the old Tarzan movies!
"Wings of the Springs" Show
This show featured many birds from around the world, including parrots, ducks, and birds of prey like eagles and owls. It was held in an outdoor theater.
Kids Ahoy! Playland
This play area had ropes to climb, slides, and tubes to crawl through. There was also a small ride with miniature motorboats.
"A Touch of Garlits"
Opened in 1994, this museum showed off antique cars and race cars. It was connected to the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing.
Lost River Voyage
This boat tour, which opened in 1991, started where the TV show Sea Hunt was filmed. It traveled one mile down the Silver River. It closed in 2011.
"Reptiles of the World" Show
This show, located on Ross Allen Island, featured alligators, crocodiles, and turtles. It was closed in March 2013.
Non-Venomous Snake Show
Also on Ross Allen Island, this show let visitors learn about and even interact with non-venomous snakes. It closed in March 2013.
Fort King River Cruise
This boat tour took visitors along the Fort King Waterway. It showed historical scenes from Silver Springs' past, including a replica of a Seminole Indian village and an old army fort. It closed in March 2013.
Current Activities
Glass Bottom Boat Tours
The famous glass-bottom boats are still operating! They take you on tours of the Silver River, letting you see the springs and wildlife below the water.
Self-guided Tours
Today, you can launch your own kayaks and canoes at the park. There's a special paddle trail on the Fort King Waterway, which was once used by the Jungle Cruise. You can also rent kayaks.
The old Jeep Safari route is now a walking trail called the "Creek Trail," where you can explore the forest on foot.
Former Animal Exhibits
These animal exhibits were closed in 2013 when the State of Florida took over the park. The animals were moved to other places.
Big Gator Lagoon
This large exhibit was home to over 20 American alligators. It was designed to look like a swamp, just like their natural home. It closed in March 2013.
"Florida Natives" Exhibit
Opened in 2000, this exhibit featured animals and reptiles that live naturally in Florida, such as otters and many types of snakes. The otter exhibit closed in 2012, and the entire exhibit closed in March 2013.
Giraffe Exhibit
Silver Springs had giraffes for many years. The last two giraffes, Kimba and Khama, passed away in 2011 and 2012. The exhibit is now empty.
Panther Prowl
This exhibit, built in the late 1990s, housed Florida Panthers and Western Cougars. It was accessible from Ross Allen Island and closed in March 2013.
World of Bears
This exhibit was home to different kinds of bears, including Kodiak bears and Black bears. It closed in May 2013.
Silver Springs Reptile Institute
Founded by Ross Allen in 1929, this institute was a place for both research and showing animals. Ross Allen developed many snake anti-venoms here. It was moved to Cypress Island in the 1970s and used for animal shows until 2013.
Images for kids
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Princess Donna.jpg
The 'Princess Donna' boat, built in 1934, is still in operation today in Dunnellon, FL.
