Robert Ripley Inducted into Florida Tourism Hall of Fame

Robert Ripley. Photo: Courtesy of Ripley's Believe It or Not! World Entertainment (eap) Robert Ripley (†), creator of today’s “Believe It or Not!” franchise, has been posthumously inducted into the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame. With this honor, the U.S. state recognizes Ripley’s extraordinary achievements, which significantly influenced the development of Florida’s tourism industry. Since 2001, induction into the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame has taken place annually as part of the Governor’s Conference on Tourism. Ripley now joins the ranks of personalities such as circus entrepreneur John Ringling, entertainment pioneer Walt Disney, and Dick Pope Sr. –founder of Florida’s first commercial theme park, Cypress Gardens.

Ripley became known for his unusual radio and show formats: In 1940, he hosted the first live underwater radio broadcast at Marineland, during which he fed sharks on air. In St. Augustine, he transformed the historic Castle Warden into the first Ripley’s Believe It or Not! attraction – still in operation today, 75 years later. Ripley was also active in Palm Beach and other Florida locations before gaining international popularity through his travel reports, cartoons, and radio shows.

Robert Ripley at Marineland. Photo: Courtesy of Ripley's Believe It or Not! World Entertainment “Robert Ripley’s curiosity and flair for the extraordinary helped introduce the world to Florida’s unique spirit,” said Jim Pattison, Jr., President of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! World Entertainment. Today, the company is an internationally operating provider of leisure and entertainment offerings with more than 100 attractions in nine countries. Its portfolio includes, alongside Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museums, aquariums, Guinness World Records attractions, wax museums, miniature golf courses, and mirror mazes. Most recently, the company announced the acquisition of the Hawaiian Falls water parks in Texas. ■