Ross Allen's Reptile Institute

       Ross Allen was originally from Pittsburg, PA, but as a kid always gravitated towards the wilderness found within nature. His family moved to Winter Haven, where he grew up and discovered his love for reptiles. As an adult, he opened a taxidermy shop to help support his family where he sold stuffed gators. Because he stuffed deceased gators, he also collected live gators which led to people coming to see his live gator collection. This helped Allen realize that holding live animals for people to see was a more profitable lifestyle than his taxidermy career. During this time, Allen had a total of 60 gators that ranged in size from 2 to 6 feet long. At some point during his career in Winter Haven, his gators escaped and ventured into the city, this caused massive problems for his career. The local law came and “recommended” he relocate. He relocated to Silver Springs, and Ross Allen’s Reptile Institute was born in 1929.

             Ross Allen created his Reptile Institute in order to provide for his family, but also to educate the public about reptiles. While he originally set out to show tourists him wrestling gators and handling diamondback rattlesnakes, he quickly began to aid the medical world with his knowledge as well. Allen even helped produce movies in the area by providing reptiles to be in the movies! Every Sunday, Allen milked his venomous snakes for their venom and sent it throughout the world to help them gain more knowledge about their venom and create anti-venom. Because he was handling venomous reptiles often, Allen often got bit in the process and the use of these anti-venoms was beneficial to him as well. Ross himself almost lost his thumb and was reported to have gone into a coma due to bites he suffered from while milking these venomous snakes.

             In 1965, the Reptile Institute was bought, after much struggle. Ross didn’t want to sell, however eventually settled with selling under the condition he would remain director at the institute. Allen also attempted to start another attraction in Lake City, Florida but died before it was opened. This attraction, Alligator Town opened, but it didn’t go as planned. It was barely holding itself together and was nothing like he had planned. Ross Allen died due to cancer at the age of 73, but his legacy as a master herpetologist lives on still. 

Ross Allen Reptile Institute. 1960 (circa). State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. Accessed 28 Feb. 2021.<https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/232386>.

Sunday favorites: Ross Allen's reptile ISLAND closes for good. (2013). Retrieved March 01, 2021, from https://thebradentontimes.com/sunday-favorites-ross-allens-reptile-island-closes-for-good-p662-158.htm

• This site proved information not only about the life of the reptile institute, but also spoke of how Ross Allen got into reptiles as a child. This appears to be a news article that mourns the loss of the Reptile Institute as it was closed down and destroyed.

Brown, R. (n.d.). Ross Allen's Reptile Institute. Retrieved March 01, 2021, from http://www.lostparks.com/rossal.html

• Source for the second image, also spoke of the downfall of the Reptile Institute.

Ross Allen sells reptile Institute to Silver Springs Attraction. (2007, January 27). Retrieved March 29, 2021, from https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20070128/News/604221488/OS

• While this article is a mashup of many other events, it does speak of the shut down of the Reptile Institute. It speaks of the way Ross Allen struggled to keep his business and how he still ended up losing it.

Ross Allen: Florida's Own REPTILE WRANGLER. (2021, March 16). Retrieved March 29, 2021, from https://www.flamingomag.com/2021/03/16/ross-allen-floridas-own-reptile-wrangler/

• Contains multiple images, videos, and quotations from himself, and people who spoke with him in the past. It speaks primarily of what the Reptile institute stood for, and how it impacted the community.

PCJAX206-002.tif. (2020, December 15). Retrieved March 29, 2021, from https://jaxpubliclibrary.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16025coll8/id/5775

• source for alligator postcard

Rizzo, M. (2014, October 20). A family legacy: Relatives of local herpetologist hold reunion. Retrieved March 29, 2021, from https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20141019/News/604147377/OS

• Speaks of Ross Allen's life from start to end, his legacy, and familial ties.