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The Arkansas Alligator Farm and Petting Zoo, in Hot Springs, is home to emu, goats, lemers, mountain lions, wolves, turtles, peacocks, and yes: alligators. Why, there’s even a leathery old Merman in residence!

Hot Springs’ Arkansas Alligator Farm is a lively part of America’s roadside tourist attractions and has been for over a century. In fact, the private farm has been raising alligators for exhibition since 1902.

The Farm was started by H.L. Campbell. Campbell was a real Arkansas character. He not only raised alligators but also collected sideshow oddities, shrunken heads and the like, for his roadside museum. His goal, so he said, was to provide Hot Springs with a tourist attraction to accompany the springs. He more than succeeded.

A lot has changed since those early days but the farm still raises alligators – and there is at least one original oddity still on display.