Metal, Mermaids, and Mice: Exploring Florida's Tourism Evolution,1880-1980
Florida, known for its sunny beaches and vibrant culture, has a rich history of tourism development that spans over a century. From the late 19th century to the late 20th century, Florida transformed from a largely undeveloped region into one of the world's premier tourist destinations. This blog post explores two key milestones in Florida's tourism evolution during the last century: first, by briefly touching on the development of the western and eastern coastline railroads which enabled expansion and development throughout the state; then, comparing the historic economic effects of two sites, Weeki Wachee Springs and Disney World. These two sites’ impacts on their surrounding communities were similar in causation and character while being vastly different in scope and scale.
Sources for this research include historical records of the railway systems, Department of State public records and economic reports, era-specific journal and newspaper articles, pamphlets and periodicals targeting tourists and the tourism industry, and economic statistics pulled from various academic institutions (e.g. Florida State University and University of South Florida).
(This blog represents a subset of research into the historic economic impact of the smaller of the two tourist destinations (Weeki Wachee) on its surrounding community. The product of that research will be presented as an assignment in Liberty University’s HIUS713 “American Entrepreneurship Since 1900.”)
Metal: Development of the Railways
The development of Florida's tourism industry can be traced back to the late 19th century with the construction of railroads along the western and eastern coastlines. Henry Flagler, a prominent industrialist, played a pivotal role in this transformation. In the 1880s, Flagler extended the Florida East Coast Railway down the eastern coastline, connecting cities like St. Augustine, Palm Beach, and Miami. This railway made it possible for tourists from the northern states to travel to Florida with ease, sparking the state's first tourism boom.
On the western coastline, Henry Plant developed the Plant System of railroads, which connected Tampa to the rest of the country. Plant's railroads facilitated the growth of Tampa as a major port city and tourist destination. The accessibility provided by these railroads opened up Florida's pristine beaches and warm climate to visitors, laying the foundation for the state's burgeoning tourism industry.
Economic Impact on Communities:
The construction of these railroads had a profound economic impact on the communities they connected. Towns and cities along the rail lines experienced significant growth as new businesses, hotels, and resorts sprang up to cater to the influx of tourists. The railroads also created jobs, both directly in their construction and operation, and indirectly through the growth of related industries such as hospitality, retail, and transportation. This economic boost helped transform Florida from a sparsely populated region into a thriving economic hub.
Mermaids: The Enchantment of Weeki Wachee Springs
In the mid-20th century, Florida's natural attractions began to draw tourists from far and wide. One such attraction was Weeki Wachee Springs, which opened in 1947. Located on the Gulf Coast, Weeki Wachee Springs became famous for its underwater mermaid shows. Performers, dressed as mermaids, would entertain audiences with synchronized swimming routines in the crystal-clear springs. This unique and enchanting attraction captured the imagination of visitors and became a symbol of Florida's whimsical charm.
Economic Impact on Communities: Weeki Wachee Springs brought economic benefits to the surrounding communities by attracting tourists and creating jobs. The attraction spurred the development of local businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and souvenir shops, which catered to the needs of visitors. The increased tourism also generated tax revenue for local governments, which could be reinvested in community infrastructure and services. Additionally, the popularity of Weeki Wachee Springs helped put the Gulf Coast on the map as a tourist destination, encouraging further investment in the region.
Economic Impact on Hernando County (Highlights: 1950–1980):
Mice: The Magic of Walt Disney World
The culmination of Florida's tourism evolution came in 1971 with the opening of Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, situated in Orange County. Walt Disney's vision of a magical kingdom brought to life a new era of tourism in Florida. Disney World, with its theme parks, resorts, and entertainment complexes, quickly became one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world. The resort's success spurred the development of other attractions in the Orlando area, solidifying Florida's reputation as a global tourism hub.
Economic Impact on Communities:
The opening of Walt Disney World had a transformative economic impact on Orlando and Orange county. The resort created thousands of jobs, both directly within the park and indirectly through the growth of supporting industries such as hospitality, retail, and transportation. The influx of tourists led to the development of new hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues, further boosting the local economy. Disney World's success also attracted other major attractions and businesses to the region, creating a thriving tourism industry that continues to drive economic growth in Central Florida.
Pre-Disney Era (1950–1969)
Primary industries: Citrus farming, cattle ranching, and small-scale tourism.
Population: Orange County had fewer than 200,000 residents in 1960.
Economic base: Modest, with limited infrastructure and seasonal tourism centered around natural springs and roadside attractions.
Post-Disney Boom (1971–1980)
(Note: Walt Disney World opened in October 1971)
Long-Term Economic Shift
Disney’s arrival reoriented Orange County’s economy:
From agriculture to service and tourism-based industries.
From a regional town to a global destination.
From modest growth to one of the fastest-growing counties in the U.S. during the 1970s.
As one historian put it, Disney’s arrival was “the most dramatic and complete” transformation in the region’s history.
Conclusion
The construction of railroads in the late 19th century along the east and west coasts of Florida paved the way for a century of economic expansion as exemplified by the development of Weeki Wachee Springs and Walt Disney World. Both tourist attractions had historic economic impacts on the surrounding communities, driving growth, creating jobs, and changing the culture of Florida for generations.
Bibliography
Railway Sources:
Esing, Christoper M. 2014. “The Prophets and Profits of Pleasure: An Analysis of Florida’s Development from the Civil War to the Turn of the 20th Century.” ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. Ph.D., United States -- Kentucky: University of Kentucky. 1789851853. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.
“Growth of Florida’s Railroads.” n.d. Accessed June 28, 2024. https://fcit.usf.edu/florida/lessons/railrd/railrd1.htm.
Johnson, Dudley Sady. 1965. “The Railroads of Florida 1865-1900.” ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. Ph.D., United States -- Florida: The Florida State University. 302299629. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Sources:
“Hernando County, FL | Home.” n.d. Accessed June 26, 2025. https://www.hernandocounty.us/.
“Weeki Wachee, FL | Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs.” n.d. Friends of Weeki Wachee. Accessed June 26, 2025. https://friendsofweekiwachee.com/.
“Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.” n.d. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Accessed June 26, 2025. https://weekiwachee.com/.
Walt Disney World Source:
“Orlando Changes.” 2020. Orange County Regional History Center (blog). May 27, 2020. https://www.thehistorycenter.org/orlando-changes/.
General Economic Data and Tourism Sources:
“Progress and Entrepreneurship | Mises Institute.” 2014. July 30, 2014. https://mises.org/quarterly-journal-austrian-economics/progress-and-entrepreneurship.
Smiley, Gene. 1996. “The Florida Land Boom: Speculation, Money, and the Banks. By William Frazer and John J. GuthrieJr. Westport, CT: Quorum Books, 1995. Pp. Xviii, 181.
”The Journal of Economic History 56, no. 3: 748–49.
Solow, Robert M. 1985. “Economic History and Economics.” The American Economic Review 75, no. 2: 328–31.
Weiss, Thomas. 2004. “Tourism in America before World War II.” The Journal of Economic History 64, no. 2: 289–327. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022050704002712.
Wright, G. 2001. “Economic History, Quantitative: United States.” In International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, edited by Neil J. Smelser and Paul B. Baltes, 4108–14. Oxford: Pergamon.