Old Joe Mirage
Old Joe the Alligator

Died 1966 - Wakulla Springs, Florida

Old Joe was an 11-foot-long alligator of undetermined age (some said he was 300) who lived on a sand bar in Wakulla Springs. He never bothered anybody -- not even the children and pets who swam around him. He was much beloved by the locals until he was shot dead by a poacher in 1966.

The Fish and Wildlife Service stuffed Joe, then dragged him around the state for years, an exhibit to be poked and prodded by sticky-fingered school kids. Now Joe is back home, in dignified retirement in a glass case in the lobby of the Wakulla Springs Hotel. "We just had him redone," the desk clerk told us. "He looks real nice."

Every New Years Eve the Hotel puts a party hat on him.

Old Joe, stuffed alligator:
Address: 550 Wakulla Park Dr., Crawfordville, FL [Show Map]
Directions: At the Wakulla Springs Lodge.
Phone: 850-224-5950
Add to My Sights | Show My Sights

November 22, 2009

My Sights

Save Cool Vacation Destinations!

Try My Sights

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

Wild Bill's Nostalgia Center, Middletown, Connecticut [Nov 23-29, 2009]

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

sightings. Arrives without warning. Leaves no burn marks. A free newsletter from RoadsideAmerica.com. Subscribe now!
RoadsideAmerica.com Hotel & Motel Finder

Special online rates for hotels & motels.

Book Online Now