Swampy's Florida

Here’s Owen Godwin with his friends at the place he started, Gatorland. The postcard is undated, but I would guess this is from the mid-60s. Swampy’s handler, Rob Smith, Jr., had the opportunity many years ago to speak with Owen’s brother, Charlie, and his wife many times and heard many stories of the big game hunter Owen and his adventures. It was through these adventures that, what became, Gatorland was started and still around today. In fact, the concrete area you see here is still there at Gatorland where many a gator will lounge and soak in the sun.

This area you see in the postcard is still generally the same today. As you would leave the gift hop and onto the main boardwalk, this island is to your right. There is another on the other side of the boardwalk to the right. Behind Owen Godwin is a short boardwalk stemming from the main one. At the end of it, on the right side of the image, is where the entreance to the Gatorland train that rattled through a good part of the attraction at one time.

This postcard is part of the Swampy’s Florida collection.
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