Lost Attractions of Silver Springs (Landmarks)

Lost Attractions of Silver Springs (Landmarks)

For more than 50 years, there was no more iconic Florida tourist attraction than Silver Springs. Its sheer popularity meant that the surrounding area--indeed, the entirety of Marion County--serviced the entertainment, gas, food, and lodging needs of millions of tourists annually. Visitors flocked to places like Ross Allen's Reptile Institute, Tommy Bartlett's Deer Ranch, and natural attractions like Rainbow Springs and Ocala Caverns. Sadly, as Florida tourism moved into the theme park era, scores of smaller attractions and their related businesses were abandoned. Author Tim Hollis revisits these once-thriving tourist spots and what happened when those tourists stopped coming. ""The Lost Attractions of Silver Springs'? by Tim Hollis is an absolute treasure for fans of old Florida, roadside attractions or just plain history buffs. For those unfamiliar, Silver Springs is the longest artesian natural springs in the world and famous for their glass bottom boat rides that still operate to this day. In addition, this area was also home to a small amusement park which Hollis brilliantly chronicles in this new book." Themepark University Author Tim Hollis has written thirty books on pop culture history, a number of them concerning southeastern tourism. He has collected the best images from his personal archives, as well as those across Florida, to showcase the various attractions featured in this volume.