Bill's Aviation Log

In the late 1870s, Hullam Jones and Phillip Morrell fixed a piece of glass to the bottom of a rowboat. History was made and a new enterprise was born. Silver Springs’ Glass Bottom Boat tours began their more than century-long reign of world fame!

Entrepreneurs soon took notice of Silver Springs’ popularity, and successively improved accommodations for visitors. But none did more than Col. W.M Davidson and Carl Ray, who acquired rights to the Springs in 1924 and soon perfected a gasoline-powered version of the the Glass Bottom Boat. Other attractions on the property followed, including zoological displays and demonstrations, creating what became the theme park. All this transformed Silver Springs into Florida’s first bona fide attraction.

The construction of Silver Springs’ Tourist Center was undertaken in the late 1950s – the historic shops and boat dock designed by famed architect Victor Lundy that still greet visitors today.

In the 1930s, Hollywood discovered Silver Springs and over the years, scenes from at least 20 movies were filmed here, including Rebel Without a Cause starring James Dean, Distant Drums starring Gary Cooper, the James Bond movie Moonraker, Creature from the Black Lagoon, and six Tarzan flicks. Episodes of television shows such as Sea Hunt, were filmed at Silver Springs as well.

Silver Springs prospered as an attraction. But beginning in the 1970s, new entrants in the Florida attractions marketplace just south in Orlando, behemoths such as Disney, SeaWorld and later, Universal Studios, led to a steady decline in Silver Springs’ attendance. And with that, the resources to properly care for the attraction and its precious natural resources.

Exacerbating the dilemma, the Springs began to exhibit problems associated with modern development affecting many springs in Florida – fertilizer runoff and septic outflow. These contain nitrates, which resulted in an overgrowth of brown algae.

In 1985, the state purchased the land surrounding Silver Springs to spare it from development, creating the Silver River State Park. In 1993, the state acquired Silver Springs, as well, though it continued to be operated privately. In 2013, the Florida Park Service took control of the property, merging it with the adjacent Silver River State Park, forming the present Silver Springs State Park.

We went on the 30-minute tour. Our Boat Captain -- pictured at center on the other end of the boat -- was very interesting and funny and really made the trip. But not for the two women who were glued to their smartphones most of the time.

Looking down through the amazingly clear water.

We did see this bird hanging out on a tree stump.

Kayakers coming up the Silver River.

The Silver River is a short spring-fed river located east of Ocala. Fed by Silver Springs, it connects the springs to the Ocklawaha River, passing through a pristine woodland environment. The river was probably named for its silvery appearance.

A good look at one of the glass-bottom boats. The boats themselves have an interesting history but I can't remember it.

I really enjoyed Silver Springs. Looking at the peeling paint on the entrace, you do get the sense that this place is only a memory of what it used to be, back when it was the number one Florida attraction.

From a travel blog: "From the moment we walk under the entrance sign, we notice the nostalgic feel of simpler days lost some time ago. It speaks volumes about the yesteryear when travel wasn’t so widespread and accessible."

February 10, 2022 - Silver Springs, Florida
After Ocala National Forest we continued west on Route 40. We wanted to ride the famous glass-bottom boats at Silver Springs, just to the east of Ocala. Silver Springs State Park contains Silver Springs which was Florida's first tourist attraction. The Silver Springs attraction dates to the 1870s. In addition to the glass-bottom boat rides, the park has 15 miles of trails, access to the Silver River, 10 luxury cabins, and a 59-site, full-facility campground. There is a Nature Museum but it is only open on the weekends.

In the late 1870s, Hullam Jones and Phillip Morrell fixed a piece of glass to the bottom of a rowboat. History was made and a new enterprise was born. Silver Springs’ Glass Bottom Boat tours began their more than century-long reign of world fame! Entrepreneurs soon took notice of Silver Springs’ popularity, and successively improved accommodations for visitors. But none did more than Col. W.M Davidson and Carl Ray, who acquired rights to the Springs in 1924 and soon perfected a gasoline-powered version of the the Glass Bottom Boat. Other attractions on the property followed, including zoological displays and demonstrations, creating what became the theme park. All this transformed Silver Springs into Florida’s first bona fide attraction. The construction of Silver Springs’ Tourist Center was undertaken in the late 1950s – the historic shops and boat dock designed by famed architect Victor Lundy that still greet visitors today. In the 1930s, Hollywood discovered Silver Springs and over the years, scenes from at least 20 movies were filmed here, including Rebel Without a Cause starring James Dean, Distant Drums starring Gary Cooper, the James Bond movie Moonraker, Creature from the Black Lagoon, and six Tarzan flicks. Episodes of television shows such as Sea Hunt, were filmed at Silver Springs as well. Silver Springs prospered as an attraction. But beginning in the 1970s, new entrants in the Florida attractions marketplace just south in Orlando, behemoths such as Disney, SeaWorld and later, Universal Studios, led to a steady decline in Silver Springs’ attendance. And with that, the resources to properly care for the attraction and its precious natural resources. Exacerbating the dilemma, the Springs began to exhibit problems associated with modern development affecting many springs in Florida – fertilizer runoff and septic outflow. These contain nitrates, which resulted in an overgrowth of brown algae. In 1985, the state purchased the land surrounding Silver Springs to spare it from development, creating the Silver River State Park. In 1993, the state acquired Silver Springs, as well, though it continued to be operated privately. In 2013, the Florida Park Service took control of the property, merging it with the adjacent Silver River State Park, forming the present Silver Springs State Park. We went on the 30-minute tour. Our Boat Captain -- pictured at center on the other end of the boat -- was very interesting and funny and really made the trip. But not for the two women who were glued to their smartphones most of the time.

Cruising down the Silver River.

Looking down through the amazingly clear water.

It's been more than 140 years since an entrepreneur named Phillip Morrell acquired a newly-invented glass-bottom boat and began selling rides on the springs so Florida visitors could see the wildlife and ancient fossils beneath the surface. For years, tourists flocked to the clear waters, the boat rides and the natural Florida setting. But as tourist appetites changed, Silver Springs gradually added wildlife exhibits, theme park rides and gift shops. Most of that is gone now. You could also rent a kayak at the park.

The amount of pristine water emerging from the springs is mind-boggling. In fact, the state of Florida is home to roughly 600 natural springs that produce more than 8 billion gallons of water a day. 8 Billion! I can't remember how many gallons per hour but it was unbelievable. The reason the water is so clear is because the new water constantly displaces the old water. Silver Springs is one of the world's largest artesian springs, gushing up to 550 million gallons (a year?) of clear water to form the Silver River, a 4½-mile shorty that feeds the Ocklawaha River and eventually the St. Johns. The spring water is 72-degrees year-round. Looking down at one of the springs.

We didn't see any Alligators or Manatees although they are here.

We did see this bird hanging out on a tree stump.

No shortage of awesome scenery though.

Kayakers coming up the Silver River.

Some old buildings where they used to film the TV show Sea Hunt, starring Lloyd Bridges. Sea Hunt aired in syndication from 1958 to 1961 and was popular for decades afterwards. The series originally aired for four seasons, with 155 episodes produced. Lloyd Bridges played former Navy diver Mike Nelson who travels on his boat the Argonaut and outmaneuvers villains, salvages everything from a bicycle to a nuclear missile, rescues children trapped in a flooded cave, and other such adventures.

Live oaks lining the river. Silver Springs is also home to roughly 200 rhesus macaque monkeys although we didn't see any. There are multiple theories of how the monkeys were introduced to Silver Springs but no one seems to know for sure.



Looking down at three stone statues -- underwater movie props from the days when Hollywood productions flourished at the park.

The Silver River is a short spring-fed river located east of Ocala. Fed by Silver Springs, it connects the springs to the Ocklawaha River, passing through a pristine woodland environment. The river was probably named for its silvery appearance. A good look at one of the glass-bottom boats. The boats themselves have an interesting history but I can't remember it.

Big live oak.

Mammoth Spring, the river’s head spring.

The water was absolutely clear all the way to the bottom.

I really enjoyed Silver Springs. Looking at the peeling paint on the entrace, you do get the sense that this place is only a memory of what it used to be, back when it was the number one Florida attraction. From a travel blog: "From the moment we walk under the entrance sign, we notice the nostalgic feel of simpler days lost some time ago. It speaks volumes about the yesteryear when travel wasn’t so widespread and accessible."


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February 10, 2022 - Silver Springs, Florida