06/01/2026
🐊 Did you know Wakulla County was home to a 200-year-old celebrity?
Back in the 1930s, during the construction of the historic Wakulla Springs Lodge, workers spotted a massive, 11-foot alligator hanging around the water. Locals named him "Old Joe." For decades, Old Joe became a legend. Unlike your average gator, he was known for being incredibly docile and would happily sunbathe while glass-bottom boats floated right past him. Experts estimated he had been swimming in those waters since the late 1700s!
Tragically, in 1966, Old Joe was illegally shot by an unknown poacher. The President of the Audubon Society even put up a massive $5,000 reward to catch the culprit, but the mystery was never solved. Today, you can still see a full-size taxidermy tribute to him at the Museum of Florida History.
👇 Have you ever seen a gator that rivaled Old Joe's size? Let us know in the comments!
