Rainbow Springs Florida

The end of a theme park and the beginning of a state park on Florida’s Rainbow River.

This vibrant pictorial overview of Florida’s Rainbow Springs reflects the rise and fall of small, independent amusement parks across America during the second half of the 20th century. After several springs around the Rainbow River were mined extensively in the late 19th century, the area was redeveloped as a tourist attraction. Exotic animals, waterfalls, and wood rafts give the impression of a tropical paradise.

However, the park was bypassed by the construction of I-75 and suffered from a lack of visitors as a result. It closed in 1973 and was eventually redeveloped by the state of Florida into Rainbow Springs State Park.

The map is uncredited and undated, but was likely distributed as a souvenir in the late 1960s. Numerous attractions, guest amenities, and other features are illustrated and labeled. Several structures, such as the rainbow fountain, dining terrace, gift shop, and entrance gate can still be seen in the park today. An inset in the lower center shows the proximity of the newly completed interstates.

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