Florida

Florida City Known for Mermaids Now Sleeps With the Fishes

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation on Tuesday dissolving the city of Weeki Wachee

Performers from the Weeki Wachee Mermaids from the US swim amongst fish during a full dress rehearsal for their upcoming ballet, in the Ocean Reef Display at the Sea Life Aquarium in London, on May 14, 2010.  The underwater synchronized aquabatics troupe are set to perform for the public this weekend.  AFP PHOTO/ BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)
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A Florida city known for its mermaid shows now sleeps with the fishes.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation on Tuesday dissolving the city of Weeki Wachee.

The city located about 50 miles north of Tampa was founded in 1966 to help put the Weeki Wachee mermaid attraction at a state park onto maps and road signs, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

But with only 13 residents, the city was insolvent and offered no visible services to a small business community paying its taxes.

Weeki Wachee, FL - 1978: Sign for the mermaid at Weeki Wachee Springs park. (Photo by Walt Disney Television via Getty Images)
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Weeki Wachee, FL - 1978: Sign for the mermaid at Weeki Wachee Springs park. (Photo by Walt Disney Television via Getty Images)

The city's demise will have no real effect on the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, officials said.

The mermaids at Weeki Wachee State Park have been a staple of Florida tourism since 1947. Women dressed in fishtails perform underwater shows in the springs while viewed by an audience sitting in a theater on the other side of a glass partition.

The park is currently closed because of coronavirus concerns.

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