Trapper Nelson known as the “Tarzan of the Loxahatchee” was a famous figure in Palm Beach County during the 40's and 50's. He turned his Homestead on the Loxahatchee into a zoo and it became a popular tourist spot having been visited by local and national celebrities, because of the exotic and wild animals that he kept, and probably mostly because of his larger-than-life personality.
When Trapper first arrived to the area, he set up camp with a step brother and a partner, and they settled into the beach right near here. Basically imposing at 6’4” and 240 pounds, Trapper Nelson, and his partners lived by trapping, hunting and fishing in what was then wild country. Unfortunately, there was an altercation between the stepbrother and the partner, resulting in the partner being shot in the back and killed. Trapper was angered by this miscarriage and helped send his stepbrother to prison in northern Florida.
After several decades of living in the swamps of the Loxahatchee, Trapper met with a mysterious death which to this day has not been fully explained. Because of the nature of his passing, it is said that the ghost of Trapper Nelson still haunts the roads and the beaches near Carlin Park.
Trapper’s ghost, may still be seen on full moons in the latest part of the night, moanfully and woefully searching the beaches, looking for those who understand his plight. Many speculate, that he looks for the soul of the one who betrayed him! The ghost of Trapper Nelson continues to wander the lonely beaches and roadways of Carlin Park deep into the night, only fading at the mornings first hint of sunrise.
If you decide to find this cache at night BEWARE!
FTF honors go to rnrgrl, Froggy Girl, Zeke the Peak!