Remembering Paradise Park
Program Details
In 1949, during the Jim Crow era, Silver Springs’ owners Carl Ray and Shorty Davidson did something unique: they created a place for African-American tourists. Located downriver, they dubbed their creation “Paradise Park for Colored People”. From 1949 to 1969, the former Silver Springs boat captain Eddie Vereen ran one of the most popular places for African Americans to visit in the country.

About Lu
Lu Vickers was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship for fiction as well as two Florida Book Awards and three Florida Individuals Artists Fellowships. In addition to writing Remembering Paradise Park with C. Graham, she has written Breathing Underwater, a novel and three other Florida history books: Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids, Cypress Gardens, America’s Tropical Wonderland, and, Weeki Wachee, Thirty Years of Underwater Photography.
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This speaker is a published author with the University Press of Florida. Please visit the UPF website to find out how to buy their latest book and other great titles about Florida’s rich history and heritage. Florida Humanities members enjoy a discount on all UPF purchases. Click here to become a member today!