Needless to say that Ferguson’s office was plagued with dozens of complaints of guests who had bottomed out on the rocks and threatened to never return if something wasn’t done about the hazard.įerguson tasked a trusted employee with solving the problem while he was away on business. It was a pile of rocks and a boat hazard located adjacent Ferguson’s newly installed boat ramp. Hamlet brought his monkeys with him with the intention of using them as part of Ferguson’s wildlife venture.Īt the time, Monkey Island didn’t exist. Hamlet applied for a zoology position at Weekie Wachee to be closer to Ferguson and promptly relocated after being hired.
Two of the spider monkeys explore their home turf.įerguson was friends with a Rapid City naturalist named John Hamlet, a scientist who tested polio vaccines on his pet monkeys. In addition to restaurants and lodging, Ferguson had plans for a wildlife attraction that would feature exotic animals and plants (the property is now Homosassa Wildlife State Park). Together they invested their fortunes into a land deal that eventually resulted in the Homosassa Riverside Resort and the Homosassa Wildlife State Park.įerguson was a major influence in the city’s development in the 50s and 60s, a feat that earned him the nickname 'Mr. Ferguson.įerguson was a successful businessman who had a long-term working relationship with Bruce Norris of the Norris Cattle Company, a 12,000-acre Brahman cattle ranch located in Ocala. It all started with Homosassa kingpin G.A. Turns out their mischief actually earned them a permanent residence on the island, which also hosts a miniature lighthouse and monkey playground. It’s entertaining to watch them monkeying around from the Homosassa Waterfront Resort, but when boaters get too close, look out! The troublesome monkeys are known to steal lifejackets, paddles and anything else they can get their little hands on. I visited Homosassa recently and was introduced to Monkey Island, a small key in the Homosassa River that houses five spider monkeys named Ralph, Sassy, Ebony, Eve and Emily. In the midst of region more commonly associated with manatees, tours, and seasonal scalloping, there is a small island inhabited by a family of monkeys. HOMOSASSA - When traveling the Florida highways and byways, you’re sure to pass some odd roadside attractions meant to entice tourists into stopping. Every dollar works toward making this vision a reality – – providing for the monkeys and restoring Historic Monkey Island.Monkey Island is a small key located on the Homosassa River that is inhabited by five adult monkeys. We are asking for your help in safeguarding this unique asset in our Citrus County community for the next 40 years and beyond.Ĭontributions in all sizes are welcome. This includes their health, safety and well-being. In addition to conservation efforts the Board is responsible for the primates’ care.
Plans are underway to renovate and make badly needed repairs to the hut where the monkeys shelter, along with lighthouse improvements and will also involve upgrading the surrounding island barrier. The island’s history dates back to the mid 1960’s and the mission of the new Board is to ensure that preservation of the island and its primate population will benefit future generations. A newly formed, not-for-profit, organization has been purposefully working to ensure that the spider monkeys that inhabit the island will be well taken care of now and in the years to come.