See Them Now . . .
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See Them Now . . .
Florida is crowded with offbeat attractions that once drew crowds but now, because of development and big-time theme parks, receive only a trickle of visitors. We asked Carl Shiver of Florida's Bureau of Historic Preservation for his pick of sites to see before they vanish forever. They include:
* Silver Springs, Ocala. The 350-acre theme park hits all of the major Florida notes: a gator-filled lagoon, an island inhabited by creepy crawlers, a water show with acrobatic nozzles and glass-bottom boat cruises.
* Marineland, St. Augustine. Before SeaWorld and Flipper, there was Marineland and Nellie, the 53-year-old dolphin. The world's first oceanarium, which opened in the 1930s, has dolphin-interaction programs and a conservation center that protects future Flippers.
* Coral Castle, Homestead. Florida has its own Stonehenge-like mystery: How did a 100-pound man named Ed Leedskalnin build a palace out of 1,110 tons of coral? The compound is a study in stone, with the aforementioned sculpted castle, a nine-ton gate, a moon fountain and a heart table.
* Gatorland, Orlando. Despite a recent fire, the gator-mouth entryway -- and its kitschy theme park known as the "Alligator Capital of the World" -- is still wide open to visitors.
* Historic Bok Sanctuary, Lake Wales. Hear native birds chirp and carillon bells ring at the Frederick Law Olmsted-designed gardens.
* Trapper Nelson Zoo Historic District, Hobe Sound. Though Trapper Nelson is long gone, boats still tie up at his river retreat, which includes a zoo, log cabins and a glimpse at a loner's lifestyle.
