Trapper Nelson hand-built most of the structures on his property with Dade County Pine, credit Paula Loehr
240 mostly muscular pounds, he was rumored to have a ravenous appetite. His typical meals at home consisted of his catch of the opossum, raccoon, or gopher tortoise meat, with side dishes of fresh citrus and exotic fruits from his garden grove. Trapper’s early fame was based on rough and tumble encounters with wildlife. His eccentric practice of wrestling alligators, complemented by vintage photos featuring his pet gator, Stumpy, lounging on his lap, or of large snakes draped over his shoulders, probably lent credence to his nickname “Wildman of the Loxahatchee.” Nelson was certainly ahead of his time as a champion recycler who repurposed all kinds of natural and discarded materials salvaged from the river and shoreline. Over time, Trapper maximized the potential of his sprawling property by building sturdy log cabins and a chickee shelter modeled after those made by Native American Seminoles. Structures made by Trapper Nelson focused on function, longevity, and safety for his overnight guests. He designed a chickee hut with open-air sleeping quarters to shelter adult visitors and boy scouts. Trapper incorporated elevated platforms to deter wildlife like raccoons and snakes from climbing or slithering and cozying up to dozing guests. As an added layer of protection for visitors who were
already tucked in for the night, access ladders leading from ground level to elevated bedtime spaces were removed until morning. Most of Trapper’s buildings were made with Dade County pine, a now-scarce regional hardwood known for its superior strength and endurance. Remarkably, Trapper constructed everything with his own resourceful hands. From hunting traps and zoo animal cages to plumbed bathrooms and entire furnished cabins, he was a creative and capable designer and builder. By scrimping and saving, the Wildman of the Loxahatchee gradually acquired enough land to develop a full-scale tropical garden retreat. Trapper Nelson’s Zoo and Jungle Garden was a side hustle that provided steady income. The one-of-a-kind wildlife zoo was a trendy tourist attraction for locals and out-of-towners alike including celebrities like classic film star, Gary Cooper. The zoo housed reptiles such as alligators and snakes, raccoons, wildcats, and whatever critters Trapper managed to capture. Almost two decades after Nelson’s death, park rangers uncovered 5,005 coins concealed within the chimney of his cabin’s brick fireplace. The $1,829.46 cache represented tangible profits from his ingenious home-grown enterprises.
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COAST TO COAST MAGAZINE SPRING 2026 | 6
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