Ripley’s Original Odditorium, St. Augustine, Florida
Stepping onto the grounds of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium in St. Augustine, Florida, is more than just a visit to a museum of the strange and unusual. It’s an immersion into a captivating blend of history and the eccentric. The very building that houses this remarkable collection has its own story to tell, adding another layer of intrigue to the Ripley’s experience.
The story begins in 1887 when William G. Warden, a prominent figure of his time, commissioned the construction of this edifice as his winter residence. Warden was no ordinary man; he was a partner of the legendary Henry Flagler and John D. Rockefeller in the Standard Oil Company. His influence extended beyond the oil industry as he also served as President of the St. Augustine Gas and Electric Light Company and Financial Director of the St. Augustine Improvement Company.
Warden’s home, a testament to his wealth and status, was one of the most impressive private residences in St. Augustine. Designed in the Moorish Revival architectural style, the building exuded an exotic charm, complemented by an elaborate and opulent interior. Given Warden’s significant role in the development of St. Augustine, his home quickly became a hub of social activity during the winter season, hosting gatherings of the city’s elite.
This "castle," as it was often called, remained within the Warden family for several decades. In 1941, Norton Baskin acquired the property and transformed it into the Castle Warden Hotel. Baskin’s wife, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of the beloved novel The Yearling, maintained an apartment on the top floor of the hotel. During its brief tenure as a hotel, the Castle Warden played host to a diverse array of guests, including writers, artists, and other distinguished visitors. Among these esteemed guests was none other than Robert Leroy Ripley himself, the man who would eventually give the building its enduring identity.
Robert Ripley, born in Santa Rosa, California, around 1890, was a man of extraordinary talent and vision. Driven by circumstance, he left high school early to support his family after the untimely death of his father. Demonstrating an innate artistic ability, Ripley began his career as a sports cartoonist for several San Francisco newspapers at the young age of 16. In 1913, he moved to New York City, where he continued to pursue his passion, working for the New York Globe.
It was during his time at the New York Globe that Ripley conceived his groundbreaking idea: the "Believe It or Not!" cartoon. First published in 1918, the cartoon showcased a collection of bizarre and unbelievable sports oddities. The concept struck a chord with readers, and the feature quickly gained popularity, eventually becoming a daily staple. Ripley’s success continued to grow as he moved to the New York Evening Post in 1923. In 1929, his career reached new heights when King Features Syndicate picked up "Believe It or Not!" The cartoon was syndicated in nearly 300 newspapers across the nation, solidifying Ripley’s place in popular culture.
Ripley was a relentless explorer and a collector of the extraordinary. Claiming to have visited 198 countries, he dedicated his life to documenting and sharing "true life" oddities from around the globe. His work took many forms, including book-length collections of sketches, a series of Believe It or Not! short films, radio programs, and carnival-like exhibits that he called "Odditoriums." These Odditoriums were showcases for his vast collection of strange and unusual artifacts, offering visitors a glimpse into the world beyond the ordinary. The Ripley’s Original Odditorium, St. Augustine, Florida became a reality after his death.
During his visits to the Castle Warden, Ripley was captivated by the building’s unique character and historical significance. He repeatedly attempted to purchase the hotel, but his efforts were unsuccessful before his death in 1949. However, Ripley’s vision lived on. In 1950, his estate acquired the Castle Warden, fulfilling his dream of establishing a permanent home for his collection. On December 25th, 1950, the first and original permanent Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium opened its doors, forever changing the landscape of St. Augustine and solidifying the city’s reputation as a destination for the curious and adventurous. The Ripley’s Original Odditorium, St. Augustine, Florida has been a favorite place to visit.
Beyond the walls of the museum, the grounds of the Ripley’s Original Odditorium, St. Augustine, Florida also hold a number of intriguing artifacts. One notable item is the "Massacre Anchor," recovered from Matanzas Bay. This anchor serves as a somber reminder of the tragic events that unfolded in 1565, when hundreds were slaughtered by the Spanish for their religious beliefs. The bay’s name, Matanzas, meaning massacre in Spanish, is a testament to this dark chapter in history.
Juxtaposed with the somber anchor is a more lighthearted attraction: a section of a massive tree that was felled in 1938. At the time of its demise, the tree was estimated to be 1900 years old, standing at an imposing 267 feet tall and boasting a diameter of 14 feet. This section of the tree was ingeniously carved into a small apartment, which served as a dwelling for an unknown period. Visitors can walk through the hollowed-out log without purchasing admission to the museum, offering a unique and free experience.
Other outdoor exhibits include a larger-than-life "bronco" sculpture crafted entirely from chrome bumpers, a testament to human ingenuity and artistic vision. Additionally, a reproduction of Michelangelo’s David, carved to the exact specifications as the original, is discreetly tucked behind a hedgerow.
Stepping inside the Ripley’s Original Odditorium, St. Augustine, Florida, visitors are immediately greeted by a vibrant and eclectic collection of odd art. Famous entertainers are memorialized in jelly beans, an antique small-scale carousel beckons with its nostalgic charm, and a piece of "artwork" made entirely of toasted bread challenges conventional notions of artistic expression. The museum’s interior exudes a carnival-like atmosphere, complete with electronic palm readers, fortune-telling machines, and other whimsical trinkets of entertainment. From Zoltar, reminiscent of the iconic machine in the movie Big with Tom Hanks, to P.T. Barnum’s infamous Feejee Mermaid hoax from 1842, the sheer size and diversity of the collection is astounding. People from around the world once paid 25 cents to marvel at the Feejee Mermaid.
The Ripley’s Original Odditorium, St. Augustine, Florida continues to draw visitors from across the globe. The museum’s three floors are filled with an array of odd and unusual exhibits gathered from every corner of the world. Many of these items were originally part of Robert Ripley’s personal collection, including shrunken heads, two-headed animals, odd treasures, and other bizarre artifacts. The collection continues to grow, with new exhibits being added regularly. A recent addition is the Space Oddities Gallery, which features a replica of the International Space Station meticulously constructed entirely from match sticks.
The Ripley’s Original Odditorium, St. Augustine, Florida, is also the starting point for Ripley’s Red Train Tour, a popular attraction that offers visitors a comprehensive 90-minute journey through the history and landmarks of the oldest city in the United States. The tour includes more than 20 stops throughout the city, allowing passengers to hop on and off at their leisure to explore various attractions. A "train" arrives at each location every 20 minutes, providing a convenient and flexible way to experience St. Augustine.
Visiting the Ripley’s Original Odditorium, St. Augustine, Florida and taking the Red Train Tour can easily fill an entire day. The experience is well worth the cost of admission to the museum and the price of the tour. It is highly recommended to visit during off-peak seasons to avoid crowds.