Florida and theme parks. If you’ve lived in the state for more than 50 years, you no doubt remember Florida without Walt Disney World. You probably also remember Silver Springs Nature Theme Park – considered to be Florida’s first tourist attraction.
History of Silver Springs
Although Silver Springs didn’t officially open to the public until 1878, it was a popular spot for visitors years earlier when they arrived by steamboat. Silver Springs became known for its glass bottom boat rides – thanks to the ingenuity of Hullam Jones and Phillip Monell who affixed a piece of glass to the bottom of a row boat in the late 1870s. They were only 14-years old at the time.
Silver Springs hit its heyday in the 1960s, when as many as 5,000 people were there daily during the week, and 6,000 – 7,000 on Saturdays and Sundays. Back then, there were amusement park rides, exotic wildlife, a reptile institute, and a bear exhibit which was billed as the largest of its kind in the world.
As was the case for other early attractions, attendance dropped for a variety of reasons, and in 2013 the State of Florida took over operations and combined it with the nearby Silver River State Park, transforming it into Silver Springs State Park.
Movies and Television Shows
The theme park served the backdrop for television shows and movies from the 1930s through the 1960s, hosting movies like “Tarzan the Ape Man” starring Johnny Weissmuller, along with five more Tarzan movies and the James Bond movie “Moonraker.” Also filmed at Silver Springs were the “Creature from the Black Lagoon,” as well as the television series “Sea Hunt” starring Lloyd Bridges. The Sea Hunt dock, named after the show, offers a photo opportunity for today’s visitors.
Glass-Bottom Boat Tours
The highlight of our visit was the half-hour ride on one of the famous glass-bottom boats. About 25 of us sat along the edge of the boat with an amazing view of the crystal-clear water, long-nosed gar, and aquatic plant life below, not to mention a glimpse of a gator swimming nearby and turtles sitting atop tree stumps along the water’s edge.
As the boat floated along, our captain provided an historic, and at times, humorous overview of the Silver Springs area. Whether it was to provide a narrative of the Native Americans who lived around the Springs in the 1500s, the story of the bridal chamber, or the dugout canoe sitting on the bottom of the spring bed, the tour was interesting and informative.
An old glass-bottom boat rests at the bottom of the springs, along with three statues used in the making of the James Bond movie “Moonraker.”
No matter what was pointed out as part of the tour boat ride, the captain circled the boat around for everyone to get a good view.
Dugout Canoe
Glass-bottom Boat
Statues from Moonraker
Other Things to Do
As a state park, Silver Springs offers plenty of opportunities for those who enjoy spending time in nature. Canoes and kayaks can be seen gliding along the springs. Take your own or rent them at the outpost.
If that isn’t on your favorites list, take a leisurely stroll along some of the walkways or boardwalks that weave through the park. Keep an eye on the ground and up in the trees. You never know what you might see – beautiful flowers, snakes, woodpeckers, and if you are fortunate, monkeys (although we didn’t get to see any of the monkeys on our visit).
A statue of Seminole Chief Osceola also holds a prominent place in the park. The plaque at the base of the statue relates the importance of Osceola’s presence at the Springs and the relationship to the Great Seminole War of 1835 – 1842. As the plaque states, Osceola led a small band of warriors in the Seminole resistance, when the United States tried to remove the tribe from their lands in Florida.
Another must-see is the “lucky” or “honeymoon” tree. Legend has it that if you have your picture taken with it, you will have good luck for five years. It’s definitely worth a snap of the camera if good luck is on the line!
The Lucky Tree
Hours of Operation and Admission
Silver Springs State Park is open 365 days a year from 8:00 a.m. until sunset. As a state park, the price of admission is $2.00. However, if you’re planning to take one of the famous glass bottom boat rides, those will cost extra.
Boat Tours
The 30-minute tour runs every 30 – 45 minutes until 6:00 p.m. The cost starts at $11.00 per person and you do not need a reservation.
The extended tour lasts about an hour and a half and starts at $25 per person. These tours only run Friday through Sunday and reservations are recommended.
Whether you plan on a boat tour or just to spend the day enjoying nature, a trip to Silver Springs is worth the time – and the money. It may not be the theme park it was during its heyday, but it does provide a peaceful place to get out and enjoy Florida’s outdoors. Unlike other roadside attractions, Silver Spring was able to change and survive the times.
Silver Springs Fun Facts
- There are 30 springs with 61 vents (openings for water flow).
- The largest Mammoth or main spring you see at the park has vent measuring 5 feet by 135 feet with a depth of 30 feet.
- Silver Springs forms the Silver River, flowing 4 ½ miles to the Ocklawaha River.
- The water temperature is 72° year-round.
FM Note: If you have pictures of Silver Springs during its heyday, please share them on our Facebook page: Floridiana Magazine.
View more of our photos from the day in the slideshow below.
If you ever get a chance, it’s a great run up the river thru the lock at Lake Harris (I think that’s the one, if my memory serves me) to the Springs. Sometimes logs do block the way though, so do some research.
Thanks Nancy! We’ll definitely have to do that.