John's brother James T. (Jay) built and opened a Bait & Tackle shop along with a grocery store and gas station. In April, 1967, Edward Williams purchased Jay's Bait & Tackle and then sold it to the National Park in June of 1996. John's brother Marion opened a small stand, serving sodas, sandwiches and fresh 'Glades frog legs to the Airboat Tour passengers. Over the years, the stand grew into the Coopertown Restaurant under various local management. In June, 1967, Ellen Curtis leased the establishment and has promoted the now "world-famous" house specialty, Everglades Frog Legs - the platter or the dinner version, if you prefer. Or try the tender nuggets of gator tail. Of course, other "down-home" meals are served, as well as the "best hamburgers in town"! See what else the Coopertown Restaurant has to offer!

The Coopertown Guest Book is filled with names of people who have visited our Everglades home from all over the world including many notables and celebrities, such as Dennis Weaver, Doris Day, Bobby Breen, Robert Fuller, Burt Reynolds, Dana Andrews, Clint and Ronnie Howard and their Dad, Rance Howard and Andy White, producer of the series "Gentle Ben". Country singers Ferlin Husky, Slim Whitman and Bobby Lewis. Baseball heroes Micky Mantle and Billy Martin, and football players Jake Scott, Bill Stanfill and Bob Kuechenberg. Other famous names to visit Coopertown include Chuck Norris, Kurt Russell, Mariel Hemingway, Raul Julia and Beverly D'Angelo. We look forward to seeing your name too!

We, the residents of Coopertown, hope you have enjoyed your virtual visit to "Beautiful Downtown Coopertown" and we hope you will come and visit us, join us for a private airboat tour to see the real thing soon!

Mayor Jesse Kennon