![]() meeting, the Messenger received an official statement from Paradise Mayor Amanda Black via email, detailing the city’s decision to not attend. Photographer was Bruce Mozert.The anticipated joint meeting Wednesday between the Paradise City Council and Paradise School Board to address the implementation of Paradise ISD’s $58.5 million bond took an unexpected turn as city officials pulled out just before the meeting.Īn hour before the 5:30 p.m. Undated but probably early 1950s 4:30 silent promotional movie for Paradise Park.Florida Memory, Division of Library and Information Services, Florida Department of State. ^ "Brochure for Paradise Park, a segregated African-American tourist attraction".: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ( link) of Library & Information Services, Department of State, State of Florida. Remembering Paradise Park : tourism and segregation at Silver Springs. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Vickers, Lu Wilson-Graham, Cynthia (2015)."Paradise Park was a haven for black community". ^ a b c d e Rizzo, Marian (August 22, 2013)."Beaches that are havens for black vacationers now used to be our only options". : 189–196 "Paradise Park was our roots." : 190 Further reading : 15, 189, 196 It is remembered fondly by its former employees and visitors. The area that was Paradise Park is now covered by underbrush. During Paradise Park's last season, 1968–69, it was open only Saturdays. ![]() Silver Springs began admitting black patrons in 1967. : 159 There was a Bethune-Cookman College day, with the day's proceeds donated to the college. King once visited, : 51 as did Mary McLeod Bethune, who "didn't care too much" for Paradise Park "because it was segregated". "In 1949, Mildred Jones of Sanford was crowned the first Miss Paradise Park." The Future Farmers of America had their conventions there. On Labor Day, there was a beauty pageant, sponsored by a local American Legion post. Allen, known thruout the world as a top expert on snakes, will tell you all about their habits as he 'milks' them of venom." According to a brochure, there was "Ross Allen's unusual Reptile Institute, with its great collection of snakes, alligators, Florida wild animals, birds, and an ever changing variety of lions, tigers, and other animals of that breed. Herpetologist Ross Allen even set up a reptile exhibit at the park, similar to the one located upriver at Silver Springs.” According to a sign in the promotional movie cited below, "Ross Allen's Wild Animal Exhibit" included "dozens of alligators, hundreds of snakes, monkeys, deer, birds, turtles, lizards, exotic animals" and "Ole Coochie", a "giant alligator". : 187 “ Easter egg hunts, baptisms, and picnics were common and at Christmas, Santa Claus would cruise down the river on a glass-bottom boat to pass out candy, nuts, and fruit for young visitors. : 169 Preachers and choirs had sunrise services. : 162Ĭhurches held mass baptisms at Paradise Park, : 160–162 as well as picnics. : 146 In 1953, Ebony magazine called it "the newest and largest recreational facility for Negroes in the South". "Chartered buses brought visitors from many states." : 27 Brochures were distributed in Georgia and Alabama, seeking these customers. One day there were 30 buses in the parking lot on another occasion, 247 cars were counted. ![]() People came, sometimes by the busload, from as far away as New York and California." At times, the park overflowed with visitors. "Paradise Park drew about 100,000 visitors annually. Admission was free, though swimming cost 35¢, which provided a towel and clothes storage. : 5–7 As was the rule during the allegedly separate but equal period, "Paradise Park was alright, but it wasn't up on a par with the white parts of Silver Springs." : 159Īt the time, it was one of three beaches open for African Americans in the state of Florida. It served African American patrons prohibited from Silver Springs' boat rides that were limited to whites only. It operated from 1949 to 1969, closing soon after desegregation of Silver Springs. It offered similar features, such as glass-bottom boats, "jungle cruises," a petting zoo, a dance pavilion with jukebox, performers, : 164 a softball field, a horseshoe toss, : 159 and a sandy beach with lifeguards. Paradise Park was a tourist attraction and recreational facility "for colored people only", as its sign said, about 1 mile (1.6 km) from Silver Springs, near Ocala, Florida. Segregated tourist atrtraction in Florida Finalists on stage in the 9th Annual Miss Paradise Park pageant Photochrome postcard showing the glass-bottom boats at Paradise Park Promotional flyer for Paradise Park Promotional flyer for Paradise Park Promotional ad for Paradise Park Sign: "Turn here for Paradise Park - For colored people - Glass-bottom boats - Swimming - One mile"
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