Vintage brochure.

Casper's Gatorland Alligator Farm (Gone)

St. Augustine, Florida

Also known at times as Casper's Gatorland, Casper's Gator Jungle, and Casper's Ostrich and Alligator Farm, 1946-1982. The business was started in 1934 by William Casper as a commercial gator farm operation. The US Rt. 1 tourist attraction was home to 8,000+ gators, tropical birds, a 22-ft. African python, and daily ostrich harness racing. It eventually lost the northerner vacation dollars battle to nearby St. Augustine Alligator Farm.

Gator statue in 1985.

As kids, we'd collected postcards of this place as it appeared in the 1940s-50s (a man holding open a big alligator's mouth, a pile of baby gators). In 1985, we spotted the 22-ft. tall Casper's gator statue still standing at the closed site -- a jocular presence with a walking stick.

The 16-ton concrete statue survived and was moved to Jacksonville's Metropolitan Park. Somewhere in between, it lost the cigar.

Also see: Jaunty Giant Gator Statue

Casper's Gatorland Alligator Farm

Directions:: 2 miles N of St Augustine on Hwy 1
Hours:: 1982: Closed permanently.
Status:: Gone

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