Trapper Nelson Zoo Historic District, Historic district in Hobe Sound, Florida.
Trapper Nelson Zoo Historic District is a former wildlife attraction located on the Loxahatchee River featuring original wooden structures including cabins, docks, and animal enclosures. The layout of the site shows how these buildings and facilities were arranged to display and house animals across the riverfront property.
Vincent Nelson, known as Trapper Nelson, established this wildlife attraction in the 1940s as a private show featuring alligators and other wild animals. The Florida state government required it to close in the 1960s when new wildlife regulations took effect.
The site drew wealthy visitors from Palm Beach and Hollywood guests who came to watch alligator wrestling and see the wildlife kept on the grounds. These live demonstrations were a major draw for entertainment seekers of that era.
Access to the site requires traveling by boat from the riverside dock, as the buildings sit on an island in the river. Guided boat tours depart regularly and provide commentary about the structures and grounds.
In 1984, researchers discovered a hidden collection of more than 5,000 coins stuffed inside a chimney on the property, spanning from the 1890s to the 1960s. The find offers a window into the money that changed hands at the site and the visitors who passed through over many decades.
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