It became particularly popular with Northerners following the American Civil War. It was famous long before Disney World was envisioned. Silver Springs has been a destination attraction for tourist since before the Civil War. It is responsible for spawning the largest contingent of wild monkeys ever in the United States. Monkey Island Silver Springsīut, the more famous ‘Monkey Island’ is located in Silver Springs, Florida. Silver Springs - View from glass bottom boat looking toward docks. And, that is how ‘Monkey Island’ in Homosassa Springs came to be. A mini lighthouse, trees, fencing, and huts were eventually added to the island. When he returned from Africa, he found his crew had built what can only be described as “a small island.” Always flamboyant, Furgy decided to build a mini “Alcatraz” on the island to house some of his hooligans obtained from the research doctor. Just before leaving for Africa, Furgy instructed some of his workers at the park to pile some dirt on the outcropping of rocks to make it more visible. In the middle of the Homosassa River, there was located an outcropping of rocks that in the 1960’s boaters were continually running aground on. Furgy was up to his eyeballs in monkey business and jokingly stated that he wished he could exile the little hooligans to Alcatraz. Now keep in mind, a few of these monkeys were causing Furgy much consternation by swiping candy from children, breaking into cars, and literally biting the hands of visitors trying to feed them. The park was to include an assortment of exotic plants and wild animals, including some monkeys he had obtained from a doctor doing polio research in the United States. “Furgy” Furgason, took a business trip to Africa as he was developing what is now known as Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. Monkey Island Homosassa SpringsĪccording to local legend, Homosassa developer G.A.
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