Marker to note location of 1940s theme park

A historical marker will be dedicated at 10 a.m. today north of Land O'Lakes at Ehren Cutoff to commemorate Dupree Gardens.

Developed by Tampa lawyer J. William Dupree, the gardens opened to the public on Dec. 1, 1940. The attraction consisted of 900 acres of flowering trees and plants and included a lodge and a tearoom with gift shop. A glass-bottom boat, powered by electricity, provided rides for visitors on Dupree Lake.

Gasoline rationing caused the facility to be closed in 1943, and an auction of the Dupree Gardens' camellia blooms in New York City in 1944 netted $250,000 for the War Bond effort.

Civic events opened the gardens briefly in 1946. The tearoom burned in 1995. The lodge, which was converted to a home by the Hendrix family; the gatehouse, now in ruins; and some scattered plantings are all that remain of this early Florida theme park.

The public is invited to the marker dedication sponsored by the Pasco County Historical Preservation Committee and placed by the County Commission.

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