Pinecrest in Miami-Dade County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Miami Serpentarium
Founded by Bill Haast
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, November 4, 2019
1. Miami Serpentarium Marker
The Miami Serpentarium, an early Florida roadside tourist attraction, was once located on this site. Operating from 1946 to 1984, the Serpentarium drew as many as 50,000 annual visitors. Founder Bill Haast put on five shows a day in a white lab coat, extracting venom to sell for scientific experiments. The self-described "poster boy for the benefits of venom" briefly operated a bona fide cancer research laboratory on the property and before invention of the Salk vaccine pursued a cobra venom treatment for polio. Having developed immunity from 172 poisonous snakebites, the "snake man" donated blood to many snakebite victims. Haast died at the age of 100 in 2011.Erected by Village of Pinecrest.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1946.
Location. 25° 39.145′ N, 80° 19.797′ W. Marker is in Pinecrest, Florida, in Miami-Dade County. Marker is on South Dixie Highway (U.S. 1) 0.1 miles north of Southwest 128th Street
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, November 4, 2019
2. Miami Serpentarium Marker
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Special Agent Jerry Dove, Special Agent Benjamin Grogan (approx. 0.4 miles away); Veterans Wayside Park (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Dice House (approx. 1.7 miles away); Chinese Bridge (approx. 2.4 miles away); The Perrine Land Grant (approx. 2.6 miles away); Deering Estate (approx. 2.9 miles away); Whilden-Carrier Cottage (approx. 3 miles away); Pinecrest Gardens (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pinecrest.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 264 times since then and 121 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 7, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
