The History of Water in Florida

Florida is defined by water. The Atlantic Ocean wraps around the peninsula, forming the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Straits. The Florida Everglades is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States and provides important habitat for rare and endangered species such as the manatee, the American crocodile and the Florida panther.

Florida’s interior holds numerous rivers, springs and lakes. Crystal blue springs provide the backdrop for the mermaids of Weeki Wachee, the anaconda-wrestling antics of herpetologist Ross Allen and the cinematography of Creature From the Black Lagoon.

Each primary source set is accompanied by a teacher’s guide containing historical context, teaching suggestions, and relevant NGSS and Florida Standards.

The Florida Everglades

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(Teacher’s Guide for the Florida Everglades)

Governor Jennings on draining the Everglades, 1903

May Mann Jennings, 1901

May Mann Jennings letter on protecting the Everglades during the Great Depression, 1930

Governor Askew on Lake Okeechobee, 1971

Alligator in the Florida Everglades, 1986

Custard apple growing in the Everglades National Park, 1980

Flock of birds in the Everglades, ca. 1950s

Marjory Stoneman Douglas, 1985

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

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(Teacher’s Guide for the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park)

Christ of the Abyss bronze sculpture at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Queen angelfish at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, 1980

Basket sponge at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Dedication of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

John Pennekamp with President Harry S. Truman

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park press release

Cross Florida Barge Canal

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(Teacher’s Guide for the Cross Florida Barge Canal)

Cross Florida Barge Canal construction

Letter from Marjorie Harris Carr, 1965

Map of the Cross Florida Barge Canal Project, 1966

Order by President Richard Nixon halting construction on the Cross Florida Barge Canal, 1971

Sign for Cross Florida Barge Canal, 1966

St. Johns Lock construction, ca. 1960s

Governor Claude Kirk presenting award to Marjorie Carr, 1970

Florida's Canal Main Street (video), 1960s

Tourism in Florida

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(Teacher’s Guide for Tourism in Florida)

Health Resorts, 1885

Young women enjoying a day at Miami Beach, 1925

Louise Keen at the Fountain of Youth attraction, 1946

Young adults jumping at Daytona Beach

Woman drinking a Coke underwater, 1950

Beach-goers by the bath house at Butler Beach, 1950s

Brochure for Paradise Park, a segregated African-American tourist attraction

Paradise Park (video)

Beauty in the Deep (video)

Ross Allen Reptile Institute (video)

Woman at Gulf Beach, Florida

Florida hot air balloon at the beach

Florida as Seen in Movies and TV

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(Teacher’s Guide for Florida as Seen in Movies and TV)

Filmmaker Ricou Browning and animal trainer Ric O'Feldman with Flipper the dolphin

Filming of Tarzan's Secret Treasure at Wakulla Springs, ca. 1940

Still from Creature From the Black Lagoon, ca. 1953

Lassie awaiting her cue in front of camera crew, 1965

Theda Bara during shooting of film on Miami Beach, ca. 1919

Esther Williams' hair being prepared for an underwater sequence at Silver Springs

Filming of Jaws II

Ivan Tors Studio in Miami, ca. 1966

Water Quality and Conservation

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(Teacher’s Guide for Water Quality and Conservation)

Diver and photographer at Cypress Gardens, 1963

Ginger Stanley and Merle Ivey posing underwater at Weeki Wachee Springs

Scuba diver examining mastodon bones at Wakulla Springs

Florida Beaches: Paradise in Peril (video)

Florida Tackle and Gun Club to the Hudson Pulp and Paper Corporation

Central Florida Anti Water Pollution Association

Executive director of the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission