A former lawyer and Baptist minister claimed that Torreya State Park in Florida was the literal site of the Garden of Eden from the Bible's Book of Genesis. He believed the geographical features matched the description in the Old Testament, including the Apalachicola River and the Torreya tree. The park later became a 'Garden of Eden' tourist attraction with a hiking trail. The minister passed away in 1981, and the trail is now part of the Nature Conservancy's preserve.
Key Points
Former lawyer and Baptist minister claimed Torreya State Park in Florida was the Garden of Eden
Believed geographical features matched biblical descriptions
Established 'Garden of Eden' tourist attraction in the area
Pros
Interesting theory connecting biblical history to a specific location in Florida
Creation of a tourist attraction that promoted nature and history
Cons
Controversial claim without concrete evidence
Interpretation of geographical features to fit a narrative