OCALA, FL (352today.com) – During the mid-20th century, as Silver Springs grew into one of Florida’s most popular roadside attractions, one lesser-remembered exhibit brought visitors a sweeping view of transportation history: the Carriage Cavalcade.
Silver Springs, long known for its crystal-clear waters and pioneering glass-bottom boat tours, evolved far beyond its natural springs over several decades. After Ed Carmichael leased the springs in 1924 and turned it over to William Carl Ray and W.C. “Shorty” Davidson, the site expanded into a complex of entertainment offerings designed to rival other major tourist stops in the country. Ray and Davidson’s vision transformed the property with creative additions and bold marketing efforts that helped make Silver Springs a household name.
One of those attractions was the Carriage Cavalcade, which opened in 1953 as part of Ray and Davidson’s ongoing efforts to diversify the Silver Springs experience. Described at the time as a moving museum of early transportation, the Cavalcade displayed a variety of horse-drawn carriages and wagons, offering a glimpse at how people and goods traveled before automobiles became common…