WINTER HAVEN -- Dick Pope Sr., the Florida visionary who developed 16 acres of swamp into Florida's largest tourist attraction during its heyday, has been named a Great Floridian 2000 and will be posthumously honored this morning at the tourist mecca he founded -- Cypress Gardens.
The award, established by the state in 1997 as part of Florida's Historical Marker Program, honors Florida's own who have made important contributions to the state's history and culture. His grandaughter, Julie Pope Dantzler, and her husband, Rick, will accept the award. To honor his selection, a marker will be erected in front of the Cypress Roots museum on site.
Pope is credited with building Cypress Gardens into the Sunshine State's largest tourist attraction until the opening of Disney World. He started his project on a 16 acres of swampland in the 1930s. Through hard work, excellent promotions and an endless string of beautiful photos, Cypress Gardens grew to become the world's largest tourist attraction prior to the arrival of Walt Disney World in Central Florida.
Celebrities and Hollywood movie producers discovered Cypress Gardens in the late '40s, '50s and '60s, including Elvis Presley and Esther Williams. Full-length features including "On an Island With You,'' "Easy to Love,'' parts of "Moon Over Miami,'' "This is Cinerama,'' and hundreds of short features flooded movie theaters all over the country, building the tremendous recognition of the gardens.
When television evolved, the park served as backdrop for several commercials as well as the Mike Douglas and Johnny Carson shows.
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With daughter-in-law Frances.
Special to the News Chief
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Pope was named Mr. Florida and once had his staff work though the night to let tour promoters and travel agents now that a sister attraction devastated by fire was still open.
He also played an unusual role in the development of Walt Disney World. Walt's brother Roy called from Pope's office after he witnessed the throng of tourists at the Gardens.
"This attraction out in the middle of nowhere drawing thousands of people a day. I've been telling you we need to build a bigger attraction and this is the place to do it," Roy reported to brother Walt. The two had been considering its present site and a site near Hollywood.
A day at Cypress Gardens convinced the Disneys that Central Florida was the place to be. That was in the early 1960s.
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With Dick Pope Jr. and Dick Pope III.
Special to the News Chief
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It was also during that same time frame that Pope and friend Mike Todd of film fame developed an amphitheater at Jones Beach outside of New York City and brought the ski performers there to perform in front of thousands.
Once again, the state came calling in 1963 and Pope responded. The governor ask him to take over the operation of the Florida exposition at the New York World's Fair and he did.
He brought in his skiers and the pavilion became the most visited site than any other project there and was a big money maker as well.
Under Pope's direction, Cypress Gardens grew and then competed well in a market that saw competition on all sides. Disney World came on line in 1975 and Pope turned over the reins to the park to his son Dick Pope Jr. in the early 198s. The senior Pope died Jan. 29, 1988 and his wide died two months later, leaving a gaping hole in the heart of Polk County.
He was a dynamo of enthusiasm for tourism and an international ambassador for the Sunshine State. For his contributions toward tourism he was named recipient of the award.
The award will be presented during today's annual Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce meeting.
