Weeki Wachee Spring on Florida's Gulf Coast Postcard
Dublin Core
Title
Weeki Wachee Spring on Florida's Gulf Coast Postcard
Alternative Title
Weeki Wachee Postcard
Subject
Weeki Wachee (Fla.)
Spring Hill (Fla.)
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Description
A postcard featuring an underwater mermaid at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park in 1949. Weeki Wachee, located at 6131 Commercial Way in Spring Hill, Florida, is best known for its famous tourist attraction, Weeki Wachee Springs. The attraction features performances by underwater mermaids, a glass-bottom boat ride, and other natural attractions. The springs are named after the Seminole words for "little spring" or "winding river." In 1946, former U.S. Navy member Newt Perry (1908-1987) began to develop a tourist attraction at Weeki Wachee. By the 1950s, Weeki Wachee was one of the top tourist stops in the United States. The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) purchased the site in 1959 and continued to expand. In 2008, Weeki Wachee was taken over by the state of Florida as a state park.
Abstract
The Weeki Wachee Springs attraction was created in 1947 by an ex-Navy frogman named Newton Perry. Weeki Wachee Springs later became a state park on November 8, 2008. Note at the bottom right: 110 - Weekiwachee Spring on Florida's Gulf Coast Scenic Highway (U. S. #19).
Source
Original 9 x 14 centimeter color postcard: "Mermaid Performing at the Weeki Wachee Springs Waterpark." 1949: Image number PC12593, Postcard Collection, Florida State Archives, Division of Library and Information Services, Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.
Publisher
Modern Photographers
Date Created
1949
Date Copyrighted
1949
Has Format
Digital reproduction of original 9 x 14 centimeter color postcard: "Mermaid Performing at the Weeki Wachee Springs Waterpark." 1949: Image number PC12593. Florida Memory.
Is Format Of
Original 9 x 14 centimeter color postcard: "Mermaid Performing at the Weeki Wachee Springs Waterpark." 1949.
Is Part Of
Postcard Collection, Florida State Archives, Division of Library and Information Services, Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.
Laura Cepero Collection, RICHES.
Format
image/jpg
Extent
147 KB
Medium
9 x 14 centimeter color postcard
Language
eng
Type
Still Image
Coverage
Weeki Wachee State Park, Spring Hill, Florida
Accrual Method
Donation
Mediator
History Teacher
Economics Teacher
Geography Teacher
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by the Florida State Archives and is provided here by RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.
Curator
Cepero, Laura
Source Repository
External Reference
"History of Weeki Wachee Springs." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.
Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. Weeki Wachee Springs. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.
Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Transcript
PHOTO BY MODERN PHOTOGRAPHERS
110—Weekiachee Spring on Florida's Gulf Coast Scenic Highway (U. S. #19)
110—Weekiachee Spring on Florida's Gulf Coast Scenic Highway (U. S. #19)
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
1 color postcard
Physical Dimensions
9 x 14 centimeters
Collection
Citation
“Weeki Wachee Spring on Florida's Gulf Coast Postcard,” RICHES, accessed October 31, 2025, https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/items/show/5067.