TOUR THE TERRAPIN FARM
From the 1890s until the 1960s, Alexander Barbee and his family’s pavilion, restaurant, diamondback terrapin farm, and zoo were the major landmarks and leading tourist attractions on Isle of Hope’s river bluff. As a promoter and showman, the dapper Alex Barbee, with his ivory terrapin stickpin, had few equals. His unique business operations and oddball antics were the perfect subject for postcards, many of which he sold to visitors as souvenirs of their time on the island.
Bogging for Terrapin
Terrapins live in the coastal marshes and swamps of the South Atlantic. Alex Barbee would travel as far as south as Fernandina to gather the terrapins from local fisherman. Some were caught by “bogging” in the wetlands, while others were caught in the water using seine nets.
The Noisy Bunch at Barbee’s Zoo
You would think that a terrapin farm would be quite quiet, but not Barbee & Son’s Diamondback Terrapin Farm, where the concession stand was home to three parrots, two cockatoos, a pair of terriers, a pack of pugs, and a random assortment of dogs of undetermined breed. Unleashed dogs are a longstanding tradition at Isle of Hope.
Barbee’s Bird and Water Fowl Aviary
Barbee’s had two pools, one for people and one for his birds. His bird pool, located across the street from his restaurant and pavilion, was the focal point of his aviary, where peacocks pranced and all manner of water fowl waddled.
View at Barbee’s
Location, Location, location. Alex Barbee certainly took advantage of a perfect site for his business. The front of his pavilion and restaurant was at the terminus of the streetcar line, across from the depot. Here the conductor and motorman pose before making the return trip into town. The back of the pavilion and restaurant extended over the Skidway River. Bluff Drive passed in front of Barbee’s, allowing automobiles to pull right up front. And few businesses overlook an ostrich pen.
Terrapin Farm
Alex Barbee’s night watchman, Dan the dog, stands guard over one of the eighteen terrapin crawls. Note the tree trunk support posts. Running through the center of the terrapin “stockade” is a water trough that was flooded several times a week. In the foreground is a small nesting mound where cows laid their eggs before Barbee collected them for incubation.
A Good Catch
With fancy restaurants paying Alex Barbee $3 a terrapin, it is clear there was a strong economic incentive for his turtle wranglers to wade into marshes looking for their own big pay day. It is not clear why they would go on a muddy turtle roundup in white shirts, ties, and fedoras. A good catch will pay for laundry bills.
A Good Catch, Colorized
This is an example of a black and white postcard that had been colorized. As colorized, these terrapin boggers certainly love pastel shirts.
Barbee’s Pavilion
Alexander Barbee opened a new improved pavilion on May 6, 1903, to replace the old pavilion that burned to the pilings in an accidental fire on February 6, 1903. The new operation sold refreshments on the first floor and had a dining room on the second. Vaudeville entertainment was given on the large pavilion with dancing also available when the floor was cleared.
Isle of Hope’s Pavilion
All is quiet at Barbee’s pavilion during the daytime at dead low tide. The pavilion is deserted, the river water pool is dry, the diving tower is empty, and bateaus for hire sit unused. This scene will soon change.
Alex Barbee and His Terrapin Farm
A terrapin farm is different from other farms. Instead of open outdoor fields, there are covered pens with tin roofs. Instead of dark, fertile soil, there is fine, gray sand. Instead of beaming sunshine, there is dense shade. And the harvest at a terrapin farm will crawl away if you do not watch out!
How to Care for a Baby Terrapin
In this postcard, “How to Care For a Baby Terrapin,” Alex Barbee describes the proper way to feed and raise a pet turtle. Guests could purchase a turtle at Barbee’s Terrapin Farm for $1.50. Note that the care of a terrapin is so complicated that Barbee had to change to a smaller font in order to make his instructions fit on the front of postcard.
Alex Barbee’s Musical Room with Toby the Terrapin at the Piano
In addition to the terrapin farm, pavilion, zoo, and carousel, Alex Barbee also had a special music room next to his restaurant. In it, every piece of furniture, fixture, or tchotchke made a musical sound. Laying on the bed, sitting in a chair, and picking up a knickknack all caused a tune to play.
Doctoring Terrapin
Barbee & Son’s was a full-service terrapin farm and even had a “hospital department,” one of the terrapin crawls set aside for the care and convalescence of crippled turtles. There Barbee cared for terrapins with scars and corns until they were healthy enough to be used as soup stock.
Souvenir of Isle of Hope
During the heyday of Barbee & Son’s, Isle of Hope was a nationally known tourist destination. A souvenir postcard with a picture of the Skidaway River bluff would rekindle fond memories of a trip to the world’s only terrapin farm.