Marine Studios
Dublin Core
Creator
Title
Marine Studios
Alternative Title
Marineland
Marineland's Dolphin Conservation Center
Marineland Dolphin Adventure
Contributor
Douglas Burden
Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney
Count Ilia Tolstoy
Sherman Pratt
Date Created
1938
Date Modified
1961
2004-2006
2011
2018
Type
Marine Studios was founded so that aquatic life could be more easily filmed for movies and newsreels.
The founders quickly realized their Oceanarium offered opportunities for research.
Marineland has long served as an educational aquarium.
Description
Built by Fred Henderich, and opened in June of 1938, 18 miles south of St. Augustine, Marine Studios marketed itself as the "World's First Oceanarium." Marine Studios was founded by Douglas Burden, C.V. Whitney, Ilia Tolstoy, and Sherman Pratt all of whom were involved with the filmmaking industry. The original purpose of the studios was to shoot underwater footage for motion pictures and newsreels through 200 portholes or in the two tanks.
During World War II, Marine Studios conducted research intended to help save the lives of shipwrecked sailors. After the war, research continued but with a focus on marine life. After the war, in 1947, the first dolphin born in captivity was born at Marine Studios. They also maintained the two pools at different temperatures in order to feature marine life that floated right off the coast, and those who had been captured further south along the Florida coast and brought north.
In 1961, Marine Studios was renamed Marineland. In 1986, Marineland was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
From 2004 to 2006, the complex was renovated and reopened as Marineland's Dolphin Conservation Center. In 2011, the complex was acquired by the Georgia Aquarium, and was renamed Marineland Dolphin Adventure. In 2018, Marineland reopened its historic archway entrance. Today, Marineland Dolphin Adventure remains focused on the preservation of marine life as well as conducting educational experiences for their visitors.
During World War II, Marine Studios conducted research intended to help save the lives of shipwrecked sailors. After the war, research continued but with a focus on marine life. After the war, in 1947, the first dolphin born in captivity was born at Marine Studios. They also maintained the two pools at different temperatures in order to feature marine life that floated right off the coast, and those who had been captured further south along the Florida coast and brought north.
In 1961, Marine Studios was renamed Marineland. In 1986, Marineland was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
From 2004 to 2006, the complex was renovated and reopened as Marineland's Dolphin Conservation Center. In 2011, the complex was acquired by the Georgia Aquarium, and was renamed Marineland Dolphin Adventure. In 2018, Marineland reopened its historic archway entrance. Today, Marineland Dolphin Adventure remains focused on the preservation of marine life as well as conducting educational experiences for their visitors.
Has Part
Marineland Dolphin Adventures is part of the Georgia Aquarium system.
Mediator
Marineland is open to the public but with seasonal hours. For more information, please visit Plan Your Day at Marineland.
Rights Holder
Relation
Marineland is located off of Highway A1A.
Source
The following books, articles, websites, and photographers were used to find the above photographs or illustrations:
Photograph 1 (1937): Messinger, Cheryl and Terran McGinnis. Images of America: Marineland. Acadia Publishing, 2011.
Photograph 2 (1938): Messinger, Cheryl and Terran McGinnis. Images of America: Marineland. Acadia Publishing, 2011.
Photograph 3 (1948): Marine Studios: Marineland – Florida. Photography by W.F. “Bill’ Gerecke, Victor Rahner, R.W. Hamilton, Nelligan Masters, J. Carver Harris, R.J. Eastman. [St. Augustine, FL]: Marine Studios, 1948.
Photograph 4 (2025): Kozlowski, Beata. "Sign at Marineland." July 1, 2025.
Photograph 5 (2025): Kozlowski, Beata. "Coquina Rock Entrance Sign." July 1, 2025.
Photograph 6 (2025): Kozlowski, Beata. "Marineland Entrance." July 1, 2025.
Photograph 7 (2025): Kozlowski, Beata. "Florida Heritage Site Marker at Marineland." July 1, 2025.
The following books, articles, and/or websites were used to find information about this location:
Jones, Colleen Michele. “Welcome to Marineland: Florida’s Tiniest Town with a Storied Past Looks to the Future.” Daytona Beach News-Journal, November 20, 2024. https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/2024/11/20/greetings-from-marineland-floridas-smallest-town-has-a-rich-history/75555992007/.
Lentz-Janney, Melanie. “Celebrating the History of Marineland Florida.” Authentic Florida, May 23, 2025. https://authenticflorida.com/history-of-marineland-fl/#ib-toc-anchor-5.
Marineland Florida. “Our History.” https://marineland.net/our-history/.
Marine Studios: Marineland – Florida. Photography by W.F. “Bill’ Gerecke, Victor Rahner, R.W. Hamilton, Nelligan Masters, J. Carver Harris, R.J. Eastman. [St. Augustine, FL]: Marine Studios, 1948.
Photograph 1 (1937): Messinger, Cheryl and Terran McGinnis. Images of America: Marineland. Acadia Publishing, 2011.
Photograph 2 (1938): Messinger, Cheryl and Terran McGinnis. Images of America: Marineland. Acadia Publishing, 2011.
Photograph 3 (1948): Marine Studios: Marineland – Florida. Photography by W.F. “Bill’ Gerecke, Victor Rahner, R.W. Hamilton, Nelligan Masters, J. Carver Harris, R.J. Eastman. [St. Augustine, FL]: Marine Studios, 1948.
Photograph 4 (2025): Kozlowski, Beata. "Sign at Marineland." July 1, 2025.
Photograph 5 (2025): Kozlowski, Beata. "Coquina Rock Entrance Sign." July 1, 2025.
Photograph 6 (2025): Kozlowski, Beata. "Marineland Entrance." July 1, 2025.
Photograph 7 (2025): Kozlowski, Beata. "Florida Heritage Site Marker at Marineland." July 1, 2025.
The following books, articles, and/or websites were used to find information about this location:
Jones, Colleen Michele. “Welcome to Marineland: Florida’s Tiniest Town with a Storied Past Looks to the Future.” Daytona Beach News-Journal, November 20, 2024. https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/2024/11/20/greetings-from-marineland-floridas-smallest-town-has-a-rich-history/75555992007/.
Lentz-Janney, Melanie. “Celebrating the History of Marineland Florida.” Authentic Florida, May 23, 2025. https://authenticflorida.com/history-of-marineland-fl/#ib-toc-anchor-5.
Marineland Florida. “Our History.” https://marineland.net/our-history/.
Marine Studios: Marineland – Florida. Photography by W.F. “Bill’ Gerecke, Victor Rahner, R.W. Hamilton, Nelligan Masters, J. Carver Harris, R.J. Eastman. [St. Augustine, FL]: Marine Studios, 1948.
Rights
Flagler College’s Rare Books, Floridiana & Institutional Repository are neither the original nor current copyright owner for the photographs. Please contact the publisher or source cited for each photograph to obtain a copy and/or permission to reproduce these items.
Is Referenced By
The following St. Augustine Fiction book features this building as a location:
Pablo's Search
Secret Missions
Uncle Sam's
Pablo's Search
Secret Missions
Uncle Sam's
Date Submitted
This record was last updated on October 8, 2025.
Collection
Citation
Fred Henderich, “Marine Studios,” St. Augustine Fiction, accessed May 17, 2026, https://staugustinefiction.omeka.net/items/show/350.