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Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park has stood as a beacon for visitors since the early 1900s, beckoning travelers to disembark from trains and tread the short path to behold the grandeur of the first-magnitude spring. Along what is now known as Fishbowl Drive, the tracks whisked passengers past the enchanting Homosassa Spring, where a multitude of fresh and saltwater fish danced beneath the surface, mesmerizing onlookers. Meanwhile, the train’s crew diligently loaded fisheries, crabs, cedar, and spring water onto the Mullet Train.

The purchase of the 50-acre site and the encompassing 100 acres in the 1940s marked the beginning of its journey as a modest attraction. In 1964, the Norris Development Company took ownership and transformed it into Homosassa Springs “Nature’s Own Attraction,” introducing a blend of entertainment and a menagerie of exotic and indigenous species. The esteemed Ivan Tors Animal Actors graced the grounds with their trained cohorts for television and film productions, with Homosassa Springs serving as their off-screen sanctuary.

Among these cherished animals was Buck, a distinguished performer who often stood in for Gentle Ben in the iconic TV series. Lu, the hippopotamus, a part of Ivan Tors’ ensemble, maintains its residency in the park, honored as a citizen of Florida by then Governor Lawton Chiles. Norris retained ownership of the attraction until 1978.

Following a series of ownership transitions from 1978 to 1984, the land found its safeguard in the hands of the Citrus County Commission, who took on the stewardship to preserve the area as a sanctuary for nature until the state of Florida assumed ownership, designating it as Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park.

Guided by contemporary values regarding captive wildlife, the park today upholds stringent standards in both visitor safety and animal well-being, ensuring that Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park remains a harmonious haven for all its inhabitants.

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