Deep in Central Florida is a beautiful botanical garden known as Dunlawton Plantation. Originally a plantation used to grow and process sugar cane, the land has been used for many different purposes over the past century, including one attempt to convert it into a dinosaur-themed tourist attraction in the 1950s. Several concrete and wire-framed sculptures of prehistoric animals were commissioned and built, along with other types of historical replicas. The park was named “Bongoland,” and a small train was constructed to carry people around the area. Sadly, theme parks hadn’t become a popular idea yet, and Bongoland closed due to lack of interest. 70 years later, several of the sculptures still stand in the now-historically protected land known as the “Bongoland Ruins.” I loved visiting this place. It was one of my favorite spots of this entire Dinosaur Quest. If you ever get a chance, I highly recommend taking a peaceful walk around the premises. It’s free, but there is a little box where you can leave a donation if you’d like, which I did. I hope this place sticks around for another hundred years at least!
Port Orange, FL – Bongoland Ruins
