Silver Springs, Florida

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official_name = Silver Springs
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image_caption = Silver Springs Park


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map_caption = Location of Silver Springs, Florida


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Florida
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Marion County
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timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd=29 |latm=12 |lats=59 |latNS=N
longd= 82|longm=3 |longs=28 |longEW=W
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postal_code = 34488-34489
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Silver Springs is a U.S. populated place and spring in Marion County, Florida, just to the east of the city of Ocala. It 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, which empties into the Ocklawaha River, a part of the St. Johns River system.

History

Since at least the mid 19th century, the natural beauty of Silver Springs has attracted visitors from around the country. Glass bottom boat tours of the springs began in the late 1870s. In the 1920s, Carl Ray and W.M. Davidson made the land around the headwaters of the Spring into something resembling the attraction that is there today, now known as the Silver Springs Nature Theme 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.

Also located in Silver Springs is a water park, Wild Waters (opened in 1978). The T. W. Randall House, on the National Register of Historic Places, is located to the northeast. Several defunct tourist attractions were once located in Silver Springs, including the Western-themed Six Gun Territory (closed 1984), and the Prince of Peace Memorial (closed in the mid-1970s).

Fishing is not allowed on the Silver River [ [http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0372/SEC27.HTM&Title=-%3E2001-%3ECh0372-%3ESection%2027#0372.27 Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes :->2001->Ch0372->Section 27 : Online Sunshine ] ]

Silver Springs, FL is known as the first location in America where a barber refused to cut a Hippie's Hair. Fact|date=May 2008

References

External links

* [http://www.ocalamarion.com/ Ocala/Marion Visitors' & Convention Bureau]
* [http://sjr.state.fl.us/programs/plan_monitor/gw_assess/springs/marion/silver.html Official site on Florida springs]
* [http://www.silversprings.com Silver Springs Nature Theme Park]

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