Filed under: Florida | Tags: americana, florida, hawthorne, route 301, taxidermy, tony's
We spotted it across Route 301 on our way to Ocala: FREE TAXIDERMY MUSEUM. I jotted it down in my trusty notebook (yes, I keep lists of places we see of interest along the way, compulsive organizer that I am) and tried like hell to find this place via Google. No worries – we just drove back the way we arrived a few days later.
mama alligator and baby
Housed in a former motel, Tony’s is more of a gallery than a museum since all mounted pieces are for potential sale. We were expecting Norman Bates-creepy, but the yard was surprisingly lush and inviting, with pink flowers and long green grass. We walked to the side of the building and pushed open the door. It was dark inside, but we could see the outline of elephant tusks protruding from the back wall. A tiny bell tinkled and a woman with a red beehive flicked on some lights for us. “Look around, spend as much time as you like,” she said and left us alone with the once-wild beasts.
albino snake
a dik dik
rawr
mr. zebra
the museum
our souvenir: a Tony's business card
4 Comments so far
Leave a comment
is it better than Rays?
Comment by Allegheny Eats July 22, 2010 @ 11:06 PMYou mean “Joe’s?” Not better, just different. There’s the whole Florida experience going on with this place too.
Comment by Lisa July 23, 2010 @ 7:13 AMI think every time we end up in Ocala we should pop in for a visit.
Comment by jeff July 22, 2010 @ 7:48 PMsee you next year, tony!
Comment by Lisa July 22, 2010 @ 8:06 PM