End of an era (mystery picture)

http://cavediver.net/photopost/data/524/BDS.jpg

Ok, what is it, and/or what era is it the end of?

Looks like a public boat ramp.

Isn't that the boatramp next the old Branford Dive Center

thats my guess too, Howard

I was just there looking at Branford spring on November 18th. I think ya'll are right but why is it the end of an era?
My buddy Wayne pointed out where the old dive shop used to be but he wasn't sure what happened to it. Wiped out in a flood maybe??

Most everyone knows what happened there. It was not a flood, that building is built to be flooded every year. Look at the pole out by the river.
Gene used to have fun swimming around the flooded store back in the day. He just moved the compressor to his house and put the inventory in storage. The display cases were Cypress so he just took the glass out and weighted the boxes with lead. If you can get inside you can see the water line on the cypress walls. Too bad it is too far from Cindy That building would be a good place for the Museum. Just have to make stuff portable.

It does look like the south boat ramp. Why end of an Era?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Howard

Isn't that the boatramp next the old Branford Dive Center

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Actually the boat ramp was *under* the dive shop.

The "End of an Era" part is, that was the *only* dive shop between Gainesville and Tallahassee for many years. It had been closed for about 5 years, but I guess it will *never* reopen now.

I heard a radio report saying it was getting unstable, and had to be torn down.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FW

It had been closed for about 5 years

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I'm guessing closer to ten. I remember going in there around 1996, but after that, Dustin's place across the street was the only thing between Spring Systems (now Dive Outpost) and Ginnie.

It was open in 2000 with Terry involved IIRC. I think it closed at the next big flood (2001 or 2???) and did not reopen after that.

A shame someone can't make a go of a dive shop and/or hotel in Branford.

Darn it, Jay, you're right.

What was I thinking anyway, questioning Forrest?