rainbowspringsstatepark

Rainbow Springs near Dunnellon, Florida

from Florida Memory

• Pixel Wrangler said:

  From: Florida State Parks .org "In the 1920s, Rainbow Springs was a favorite spot for tourists and locals. As the attraction grew, the river was dredged for glass bottom boat tours; and waterfalls were built on piles of phosphate tailings. A zoo, rodeo, gift shops and a monorail with leaf-shaped gondolas were added. In the mid-1970s, when larger theme parks lured the tourists away, Rainbow Springs was closed. In the mid-1990s, it reopened as a state park. In 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior designated Rainbow River as a National Natural Landmark. It is also an aquatic preserve and an Outstanding Florida Water."  

• Florida Memory said:

  Pixel Wrangler Thanks Pixel! Listen to glass bottom boat captain Skipper Locket perform part of his Rainbow Springs chant at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center (White Springs, FL) in 1956: floridamemory.com/audio/occupational.php#07.

• Pixel Wrangler said:

  Florida Memory That two-minute clip is fantastic!  I don't think anyone could listen to it without having a smile on their face! ;)

• Florida Memory said:

  Pixel Wrangler It's one of our favorites!