Sam McCoy | Florida Roadside: Silver Springs

Florida Roadside series: Growing up in Orlando didn’t always mean vacations at Disney World, but roadtrips on old Florida highways to fruit stands, cool springs, and historic landmarks. Historic landmarks in Florida were the tourist spots that came before the mega theme parks of Central Florida. This series looks back on roadside curiosities that were passion projects of botanical enthusiasts, resort towns that exploited the natural landscapes and people of the area, and whimsical parks that drew in thousands of snowbirds throughout the 19th and 20th century. The spaces I paint still exist today.

Silver Springs is branded as Florida’s first theme park. Glass bottom boat tours, gift shops, and now an eco-tourism destination. While not in this painting, it was also the site of Paradise Park.