Marineland of Florida - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
As Marineland opened for business in 1938, I am assuming that these photos from 1940 were a publicity shoot. The "elephant banquet" which Ringling folks tout as "their" new and much loved promotion, so popular in fact, that Circus Krone has started to use the same cheesy promotional gaff in Germany, seems to have been actually used successfully by Marineland with their dolphins long ago.
From Zoo Historian Richard Reynolds to Zoo History web folks:
Marineland was, I think, the very first of ocenarium exhibit anywhere in the world featuring a huge tank containing multiple species with viewing through windows in the side. A diver would descend to feed the animals. Connected to the surface via an air hose, he was dressed in one of those old fashioned diving uniforms with metal helmet and glass viewing portals.
I was supposed to go there in August 1941 with my family - -in connection with a vacation at nearby Daytona Beach. I had heard about the wonderful Marineland and was eager to see it. However, a terrible polio epidemic fell on Atlanta. The disease was also prevalent in Florida. So, my parents canceled the trip. For you younger folks, you cannot imagine the fear and anxiety associated with a polio epidemic.
At the end of that year the US entered the War and the likes of vacation trips to Marineland were put on hold.
I finally got to see Marineland in August 1954. By then it was featuring dolphin shows in separate pools located on the northern side of the big tank. Subject to correction, I think the very first dolphins born in captivity were at Marineland. And one of them holds the world longevity record - -over 50 years per Weigl.
As information, later this year the Georgia Aquarium is to open a huge dolphin exhibit, naturally featuring trained animals. The public loves such shows.
Richard Reynolds.
From Zoo professional Ken Kawata in response:
Hullo to all from sunny New York:
Very interesting that Marineland will change hands, but is it disheartening to know the deterioration. During my visit in the summer of 1972 it was still in good shape; see my piece "A Visit to the Zoos of South Eastern United States," IZN 19:7/8, 31 Dec. 1972, pp. 270-279. Marineland is mentioned on page 275.
All the best, Ken Kawata
From Zoo professional Ken Kawata in response:
Hullo to all from sunny New York:
Very interesting that Marineland will change hands, but is it disheartening to know the deterioration. During my visit in the summer of 1972 it was still in good shape; see my piece "A Visit to the Zoos of South Eastern United States," IZN 19:7/8, 31 Dec. 1972, pp. 270-279. Marineland is mentioned on page 275.
All the best, Ken Kawata
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8 comments:
KING OF AQUARIA says: "Back in the 80's after C.V. Whitney sold Marineland of Florida to Mr. Drysdale of the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, I told the new owner how much Marineland meant to me. Mr. Drysdale was honest and said, "If the place doesn't make me money I will sell it but first I will try to put it on the National Register of Historic Places where it will always be cared for." Well, the place didn't make him money and he did sell it but he was successful in getting it listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The group he sold it to were interested in building timeshare condos and they filed bankruptcy. Then Mr. Jacoby bought it and demolished the original structures - even after it had been placed on the NROHP! With the money the Georgia Aquarium has they could have at least saved those structures and modified them. I realize they were in bad need of repair but with the money they put into the Dolphin Conservatory they could have spent some money to make those structures sound. Marineland was a piece of Florida history and now only the memory of the World's Original Marine Attraction is left. Read about my passion for Marineland at www.florida-backroads-travel.com.
King,
How was it that Mr. Jacoby was allowed the structures after it was given National Register of Historic Places status? I lived in a house for a while that was listed, and we couldn't even repair the roof without notifying the registry of that state, who then had to come out and approve what was being done and what material was being used.
Wade
Wade, that is a very good question and one that has been asked by many people. A Marineland employee told me that Jacoby hired an engineering firm to go through those structures like a fine tooth comb. Their final report listed the structure in need of repair. Being open to the public, I guess they considered them unsafe and a liability. However, there was talk of preserving them and using them for educational facilities like classrooms. Even without water and fish in them, it still would have been cool to have those great old oceanariums still around. I am talking to a journalist for The Orlando Sentinel who wrote the article about my boyhood visits to Marineland, "Marineland Was More Fun Than Santa" to to do a little research on this matter.
King,
It is more than a shame that the building/structures are not around, it is a travesty. The old Lion House turned into a restaurant is still better then the old Lion House gone. Bronx's Elephant House is now pretty high line dig's for amphibians, but it is still better then the Elephant House gone. Don't get me started on razing historic old animal enclosure's!!!!!! I am still trying to find out who absconded with the Cinderella castle cupilos off the top of the old Fairmount Park Bear Pit. I first suspected Jim Alexander of giving them to his new employer Disney, but Jim say's it wasn't he. Just as important is what happened to the tusk on the Bronx Elephant House elephant?
Wade
KING OF AQUARIA says: "Wade, I must share these gems with you and your worshipers: Back when I was employed by Sea World in Orlando I took a co-worker up to Marineland. We were part of a small crowd standing around the fenced railing of the Sea Lion pool waiting for the show to begin. A rather portly trainer walked to the edge of the pool and conducted a mike check. Then he went into the men's room which was located beside the sea lion pool. HE FORGOT TO TURN HIS WIRELESS MIKE OFF! We were subjected to a series of scatalogical sounds that came over a rusting loudspeaker nailed to a palm tree. When he flushed, the acoustics sounded like Mt. Vesuvias had erupted! He then proceeded to put the sea lions through their paces as if nothing had happened! During my tenure at Sea World the killer whales and bottlenose dolphins performed in the same stadium. One summer day with the Whale & Dolphin Stadium SRO, an elderly gentleman sitting down front left his seat and walked behind Shamu's holding tank and took a bowel movement before 3,000 spectators! He thought his actions would go unnoticed because back then there were woods behind the pools. Little did he know that the bowl-shaped amphitheatre gave each and every spectator a 'front row' seat of his activity. During the dolphin show, a chimpanzee would bring a life-ring to the trainer on stage. During that particular show, the chimp was directed to bring a roll of toilet tissue out on stage while the audience rolled in the aisles! Then there was the time one of the orcas - I think his name was 'Canuck' - turned belly up and sank to the bottom of the show pool during a packed performance! But the biggest faux paus was when a false killer whale that was rescued from a stranding died in her holding tank behind the lab. One of the animal care personnel tied a rope around its tail and lifted the carcass out of the pool by a crane just as the 'Behind-The-Scenes Tour' tram drove by filled with tourists! Dr. Lanny Cornell - Sea World's corporate veterinarian just happened to step outside from the lab and his tirade blackened the underside of heaven. I could go on and on . . . maybe the King of Aquaria should get his own website?'
King,
Great, great stuff. Thank you for sharing. The world of animals, both land and sea if full of rich history. Successes as well as disasters, which were turned into learning experiences and knowledge.
Wasde
Addendum to the King,
I just reread your comment, and I think you are confused. I think you meant to say detractor's, instead of worshiper's.
Wade
Lots of great info here. As a visitor to Marineland of Florida starting in the late 60's, it was a placed I loved very much. It was so hurtful to see it decimated by the new Jacoby in mid-2000. Take care.
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