As part of the boat tour you visit where Trapper Nelson lived. Trapper Nelson was a bit of an eccentric. I guess you would have to be to want to live out here with all the alligators. The top image is his home and the bottom image is where we pulled the boat up and got off to walk around.

“Trapper Nelson came to the area in the 1930s and lived off the land by trapping and selling furs. He was a loner for the most part, who found security in this area and a way of life that was suited to his skills and temperament. He quickly became famous as the “Wildman of the Loxahatchee”. Yet, with his limited education, he managed to make a living, built a much-visited wildlife zoo and acquired large land interests. After his death in 1968, the state acquired his land, preserving his home and grounds for future generations to enjoy.”     Reference:  Jonathan Dickinson Park

We were told quite the stories about Trapper Nelson. They ranged from leaving his wife alone in this secluded area, while he was off in the army, and she ran off with another man. How it was assumed he used dynamite to blow up a neighbors bridge and whether he was killed or committed suicide. If you’re interested you can find out more about him at this website.