St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

St. Augustine Alligator Farm

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, May 5, 2011

1. St. Augustine Alligator Farm Marker

Inscription. The St. Augustine Alligator Farm is one of the oldest continuously operated attractions created specifically for the purpose of entertaining visitors to Florida. Its origins date to the early 1890s, the first decade of St. Augustine's emergence as a popular tourist destination. Alligators were initially used to attract visitors to a small museum and souvenir shop on St. Augustine Beach at the terminus of a tram railway that ran across Anastasia Island. The owners soon discovered the public's fascination with the reptiles and in 1909 incorporated the South Beach Alligator Farm and Museum of Marine Curiosities, which they moved to its present location in 1920. W.I. Drysdale and F. Charles Usina purchased ownership in 1936 and, after a disastrous fire, began at once to rebuild the facilities, expand the collection, and create national publicity for the attraction. Thousands of servicemen who visited the Alligator Farm during World War II helped to broadcast its popularity. The collection of alligators and other animals in a controlled environment has provided a unique opportunity for scientists who have conducted research

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in cooperation with the institution. The St. Augustine Alligator Farm's role in the development of tourism in the state was recognized in 1992 with its listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

Erected 1993 by The St. Augustine Alligator Farm in Cooperation with the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-343.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Parks & Recreational Areas • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.

Location. 29° 52.926′ N, 81° 17.316′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. It is on Anastasia Boulevard (State Road A1A) 0.1 miles north of Old Quarry Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 999 Anastasia Boulevard, Saint Augustine FL 32080, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in First Coast

and in Greater Jacksonville.

It is also in the American South

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, March 23, 2019

2. St. Augustine Alligator Farm Marker

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named St. Augustine Alligator Farm (a few steps from this marker); Bevin's Skiff (approx. 0.2 miles away); History of Dugout Canoes (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Augustine Dugout Canoe (approx. 0.2 miles away); Historic Small Craft (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Historical Comparison (approx. 0.2 miles away); Juan Ponce de León - The 1513 Voyage of Discovery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Discover Four Authentic Experiences (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . . St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park. (Submitted on December 9, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)

St. Augustine Alligator Farm Entrance taken from marker looking south image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, October 31, 2017

3. St. Augustine Alligator Farm Entrance taken from marker looking south

Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,005 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 9, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 2. submitted on March 23, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 3. submitted on December 9, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.