Although alligator and ostrich
farms were popular tourist attractions in Florida as early as the 1890’s and
amusement centers lined many beachside centers, the first real multi-attraction
tourist park was started by Richard Downing Pope of Winter Haven, Florida, on
the banks of beautiful Lake Eloise.The
park opened on January 2, 1936, and featured tours and boat rides along the
lakeside where giant cypress trees with their weird cypress knees grew.
The park grew with the
landscaping of tropical gardens containing tropical plants from around the
world.Beautiful girls
used for photo ops was an early attraction although they served as
guides.With Central
Florida the center of water skiing and Pope himself a fan of the
sport, it was logical that ski shows would develop as part of the attraction.
Although the park was
converted to a ride and tour attraction by Georgia interests, it seems the
park is headed more toward its old format, with annual passes and lots of music
shows to bolster membership.
