Now and then: Cypress Gardens

Cypress Gardens' Dick Pope, Sr. was a legendary promoter who helped create the behemoth that is the Florida tourism machine. Photography was his greatest tool and he created indelible images that stuck in the mind of visitors of the Sunshine State. I was intrigued to see how some of these mythic scenes of the past compared with today's Cypress Gardens.

Now:
A solitary Southern belle, sits in a shady spot against the colorful backdrop of giant topiaries.

Then:
Belles frolic throughout the park, their colorful dresses surpassed only by the bright flowers.

Now:
Tourists crowd the bridge to look for alligators in the muddy canal.

Then:
Electric boats cruise the scenic waterway, while tourists snap pictures of photogenic Southern Belles throughout the park.

Now:
The namesake Cypress trees frame Lake Eloise, their wooden knees looking like sentinels from another world.

Then:
The gardens extended out to the Cypress trees incorporating them into the lush landscaping.

Now:
By the end of May, azaleas and camellias are long gone. While there is great color provided by the many well maintained flowers, my eye is drawn to the exotics not frequently seen in Florida gardens.

Then:
Brilliant color bombarded the visitor in every direction. Folks from the frigid north would be overwhelmed by this lush tropical paradise.

The romanticized images of the past are not an accurate representation of what the visitor encounters in today's Cypress Gardens. Enough remains, however, to get a taste of what it was like back in its heyday. All it takes is a little imagination. I suggest going when the weather is cooler, as there is little shade throughout parts of the garden.