Silver Springs, Florida
Encyclopedia
Silver Springs is a U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
populated place
Populated place
A populated place is a place or area with clustered or scattered buildings and a permanent human population referenced with geographic coordinates...
and spring
Spring (hydrosphere)
A spring—also known as a rising or resurgence—is a component of the hydrosphere. Specifically, it is any natural situation where water flows to the surface of the earth from underground...
in Marion County
Marion County, Florida
Marion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 316,183. Its county seat is Ocala....
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, just to the east of the city of Ocala
Ocala, Florida
Ocala is a city in Marion County, Florida. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 53,491. It is the county seat of Marion County, and the principal city of the Ocala, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated 2007 population of 324,857.-History:Ocala...
. It is part of the Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Silver Springs is the site of one of the largest artesian spring formations in the world, producing nearly 550 million gallons of crystal-clear water daily. Silver Springs forms the headwaters of the Silver River, the largest tributary on the Ocklawaha River
Ocklawaha River
The Ocklawaha River flows north from central Florida until it joins the St. Johns River near Palatka. Its name is a corruption of ak-lowahe, Creek for "muddy"....
, a part of the St. Johns River
St. Johns River
The St. Johns River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Florida and its most significant for commercial and recreational use. At long, it winds through or borders twelve counties, three of which are the state's largest. The drop in elevation from the headwaters to the mouth is less than ;...
system.
History
Silver Springs Nature Theme Park
Silver Springs Nature Theme Park is a zoological park located in Silver Springs, Florida, USA, east of Ocala. Although not truly a theme park, Silver Springs is a nature and zoological park occupying land owned by the state of Florida as part of the Silver River State Park.The property for the park...
. The attraction features native animal exhibits and glass bottom boat tours of the springs. Downstream from the attraction is the Silver River State Park
Silver River State Park
Silver River State Park is a nearly 5,000 acre Florida State Park east of Ocala. Adjacent to Silver Springs and the Ocklawaha River, the park is a mile south of State Road 40 on State Road 35 .-Ecology:...
.
Also located in Silver Springs is a water park
Water park
A waterpark is an amusement park that features waterplay areas, such as water slides, splash pads, spraygrounds , lazy rivers, or other recreational bathing, swimming, and barefooting environments...
, Wild Waters
Wild Waters
Wild Waters is a water park in Ocala, Florida. It is the sister park of Silver Springs Theme Park in Ocala. Wild Waters features a large wave pool and children's pool area. The deck surrounding the wave pool is filled with lounge chairs. Because Wild Waters is the sister park of Silver Springs, it...
(opened in 1978). The T. W. Randall House
T. W. Randall House
The T. W. Randall House is a historic home in Silver Springs, Florida, United States. It is located at 11685 Northeast SR 314. On April 6, 1995, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places....
, on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
, is located to the northeast. Several defunct tourist attractions were once located in Silver Springs, including the Western-themed Six Gun Territory (closed 1984), Carriage Cavalcade, Early American Museum, Paradise Park, and the Prince of Peace Memorial (closed in the mid-1970s).
Fishing is not allowed on the Silver River
Notable Residents
- Ross AllenRoss Allen (herpetologist)Ensil Ross Allen was an American herpetologist and writer. Born in Pennsylvania, Ross relocated to Florida with his family when he was a teenager. As a young man, Allen made a hobby of capturing turtles, snakes and other reptiles near his home in central Florida.Allen began the Reptile Institute...
- herpetologistHerpetologyHerpetology is the branch of zoology concerned with the study of amphibians and reptiles... - Ted Potter, Jr.Ted Potter, Jr.Ted Potter, Jr. is an American professional golfer from Silver Springs, Florida.Potter was born in Ocala, Florida. He graduated, class of 2002, from Lake Weir High School in southeastern Marion County, Florida. Potter is currently a member of the Nationwide Tour. He is a left-handed golfer, but...
- Professional GolferGolferGolfer may refer to:* A person who plays golf according to the rules.* Professional golfer* "The Golfer", an episode of The Honeymooners...
Transportation
The main road through Silver Springs is Florida State Road 40 which runs east and west from Rainbow Lake EstatesRainbow Lake Estates, Florida
Rainbow Lake Estates is an unincorporated community in Marion County, Florida, United States established as a Municipal Services District. The community is part of the Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area. This community is northwest of Rainbow Springs a natural spring located in Rainbow Springs...
to Ormond Beach
Ormond Beach, Florida
Ormond Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, United States. The population was 36,301 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 37,929. Ormond Beach is the northern neighbor of Daytona Beach and is home to Tomoka State Park.-History:Ormond Beach was...
in Volusia County. Florida State Road 326 terminates at SR 40, as does Florida State Road 35
Florida State Road 35
State Road 35 is a north–south state highway in the western counties of the U.S. state of Florida.-Route Description:It is mainly signed as a hidden route along U.S. Highways:*U.S. Route 17: Punta Gorda to Bartow....
, which becomes Marion County Road 35 north of SR 40 before terminating at SR 326. Marion County Roads 314 and 314A are also important north-south county roads that run west and into the Ocala National Forest
Ocala National Forest
The Ocala National Forest is the second largest National Forest in the U.S. state of Florida and covers approximately of Central Florida. It is located three miles east of Ocala and southeast of Gainesville...
.