Since 1947, women and men have donned costumes and fins and been part of a display of mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs in Spring Hill, Florida. Created by an ex-navy diver, Newton Berry, and originally using an air hose to breathe from, the mermaids still perform shows in the aquarium-like setting. The spring and its “inhabitants” have also been used in Hollywood films, and were the scene for a music video “Low C” by the British group Supergrass in 2005.

Recently, some historic film has come to light of the displays. This is fascinating not only for the performer’s prowess, but also for the footage’s quality given the basic equipment that must have been available.

In 2007 cave divers penetrated the spring to 6700 feet, with an average depth of 265 feet, but significantly a maximum depth of 407 feet. This makes the spring the deepest in the US.