Florida is known for a lot of weird and wonderful attractions, but this one might just take the cake. Right in the heart of Homosassa River in Florida, there is a mini monkey jail that has quite a fascinating history. If ever you’ve wondered why there was an island in the middle of the river with monkeys living and playing freely, then this is the story behind it all.

There is a place in Florida that has been known as the mini Monkey Alcatraz for all the bad monkeys in the state.
Google Maps
What has now become a loved attraction by many known as Monkey Island, had a bit of a rocky past in the state.
Chris Novak - Wikipedia
The island itself started out as a hidden outcropping that would scratch and scrape up many boat bottoms regularly.
TripAdvisor CyndiLynn
A developer named G.A. “Furgy” Furgason told crew members to throw some dirt on it to make it more noticeable to boaters, and the enthusiastic crew turned it into a mini island of sorts.
TripAdvisor management
Furgason got a kick out of this tiny island and put a lighthouse on it, then went back to developing his new wildlife attraction that was born out of his more recent trip to Africa.
TripAdvisor John B.

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The monkeys which were brought over for the wildlife attraction (now known as the Homosassa Wildlife State Park) easily became the troublemakers of the group, between swiping candy from children, breaking into cars, and other obnoxious hijinks.
TripAdvisor Shiela
Furgy couldn’t contain the monkeys any longer and said that he wished there was an Alcatraz for him to send the moneys to.
Flickr Richard Elzey
Then he got an idea—Furgy already had a tiny island with no inhabitants where he could put the monkeys to live in peace without disturbing anyone.
TripAdvisor petermcarey
Three spider monkeys and two squirrel monkeys made their home on Monkey Island, the new monkey jail in Homosassa, Florida.
TripAdvisor Gerri K.
Forty years later, there are still monkeys that inhabit the island, living and playing freely on the island while tourists can observe from a boat nearby or across the river.
TripAdvisor Joyce W.

Have you ever heard about Monkey Island in Homosassa, Florida before? Share with us your own stories in the comments section!

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Monkey Island, Homosassa, FL 34448, USA