Bound: Before Mega-Parks Stalked the Earth

Gary Monroe Takes Us Back to Silver Springs

Once upon another time, in a very different Florida, long before the age of in-your-face entertainment and the era of mass market wow, there existed a place unlike any other on earth. It was a sacred place, fed by a “life-giving stream” and flowing with “magical waters.” And for thousands of years the region’s inhabitants took solace in its beautiful mysteries.

Then the White Man came. He too was taken aback by the natural wonders of the place and he wasted no time in spreading the word. Before long specially-designed steamers and swamp-ready stage coaches were bringing well-heeled visitors in to bask in all its verdant glory. And the place became known as one of the earliest destination spots among a certain set of Gilded Americans.

With the advent of the automobile things really started kicking. At once an entire nation became mobile, and in their increasing restlessness they chose to make their way to a place that was as idyll as it was ideal. No wham bam, thank you, mam, for this crowd. They sought peace, and they sought majesty, and they wanted a heaven right here on earth.

And they found it in Silver Springs. In 1924 Carl Ray and “Shorty” Davidson took over Florida’s precious waters and built it into one of the state’s most fabled attractions. Tarzan was filmed there (and many a monkey was released on to the grounds as a result), as were the three installments of The Creature from the Black Lagoon and the classic The Yearling. The Springs even doubled for the Everglades in the 1951 Seminole War adventure Distant Guns, starring Gary Cooper. And every single visitor who made their way on to one of the charming and infamous glass bottom boats brought along a camera of their own; and then they brought home images that would last a lifetime.

But no one did as much for Silver Springs as Bruce Mozert, photographer in residence for nearly 45 years. It was Mozert who invented the world’s first underwater camera, and it was at Silver Springs where he would put his invention to renowned use.

Gary Monroe’s Silver Springs (University Press of Florida $29.95) captures all the magic that Mozert captured during his long tenure, and throws in its robust history to boot. From De Soto’s 1539 passing to the time when Disney World made the sacred place seem almost obsolete, Monroe covers it all, with a chronicle as wondrous as the Springs themselves. Take a look; then take a deep breath and dive right in. And you too can experience the wonder of Florida as it once was.

Category: BOUND