populuxe

photos courtesy of The Orlando Sentinel
Gatorland has been a piece of Florida attraction history since its opening in 1949. It has also seen several hurricanes over the years.

1954 - Owen Godwin, owner of Gatorland, holds open the jaws of 'Bone Crusher' the alligator

photos courtesy of Gatorland
I went to the attraction a few years ago with my best friend Maddy, her daughter Leah, and her kindergarten class. I remember feeling nostalgic as I watched gators chomp at a whole chicken on a string and I marveled at muscular men wrestling alligators. There were many kitshy photo ops throughout the park other than the giant jaws. So many of our old Florida attractions have died off but Gatorland is still around. They plan on rebuilding it just the way it was.

Our trip to Gatorland.