Trapper Nelson Zoo Historic District

Vince "Trapper" Nelson developed a zoo on his property in the 1950s,[http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/sites/loxahatchee/ Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection, Loxahatchee - Lake Worth Creek Aquatic Preserve] and his camp and zoo became popular tourist attractions, where such celebrities as Gene Tunney and Gary Cooper visited. He was known locally as the "Tarzan of the Loxahatchee". He was found dead in his cabin by a friend in 1968, and his death was ruled a suicide. His land was acquired by the state of Florida, and is now part of Jonathan Dickinson State Park.[http://www.floridaparktours.com/trappernelsons.html Loxahatchee River Adventures at Jonathan Dickinson State Park] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225170234/http://www.floridaparktours.com/trappernelsons.html |date=2008-12-25 }}{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=J6VGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ITANAAAAIBAJ&pg=5155,1695558&dq=trapper-nelson&hl=en |title=Jupiter Sets Trade For Nelson Land|publisher=The Palm Beach Post|date=December 21, 1968|accessdate=2011-01-20}}

After the land was converted to a park, but still unopen to the public, the camp was often vandalized.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6b4iAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZrUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1436,4971087&dq=trapper-nelson&hl=en |title=Busy Day On The Loxahatchee|publisher=The Palm Beach Post|first=Ed|last=Buckow|date=April 15, 1969|accessdate=2011-01-20}} One of Nelson's tool sheds was burned down; the arsonist attempted to burn other buildings but was unsuccessful.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_X8yAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GLYFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6788,3834642&dq=trapper-nelson&hl=en |title=Arson Is Charged|publisher=The Palm Beach Post|date=February 10, 1970|accessdate=2011-01-20}}

In April 1984, park rangers discovered Nelson's "treasure": a hiding place in his chimney held 5,005 coins, totaling $1,829.46. The coins ranged in date from the 1890s to the 1960s. A thorough search of the camp was conducted before revealing the find to the public, but nothing more was found.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pf8sAAAAIBAJ&sjid=a80FAAAAIBAJ&pg=5372,807699&dq=trapper-nelson&hl=en |title=Trapper Nelson's Cache of Coins Uncovered|first=Sally|last=Swartz|publisher=The Palm Beach Post|date=May 12, 1984|accessdate=2011-01-20}}

The camp still stands today, with his cabin, a guest cabin, a chickee shelter, docks, a boathouse, and assorted cages from his zoo.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pP4sAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1MwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3190,1980544&dq=trapper-nelson&hl=en |title=State Park Is A Great Spot For Picnickers|publisher=The Palm Beach Post|first=Chris|last=Kelly|date=September 4, 1981|accessdate=2011-01-20}} There are also fruit trees that he planted, including surinam cherry, Java plum and wild almond.{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/travel/articles/2004/11/21/a_piece_of_quiet_legendary_coast_in_jupiter/ |title=A piece of quiet, legendary coast in Jupiter|first=Necee|last=Regis|publisher=The Boston Globe|date=November 21, 2004|accessdate=2011-01-20}}

• Loxahatchee River
• Jonathan Dickinson State Park

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/listings/20061027.HTM Weekly List Of Actions Taken On Properties: 10/16/06 Through 10/20/06] at [http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com National Register of Historic Places]

{{National Register of Historic Places in Florida}}

Category:Hobe Sound, Florida

Category:Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Florida

Category:National Register of Historic Places in Martin County, Florida

Category:Buildings and structures in Martin County, Florida

Category:Tourist attractions in Martin County, Florida

Category:Zoos on the National Register of Historic Places

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