Miami Serpentarium gets long overdue honors

PINECREST, Fla. – One of the most memorable tourist attractions in Miami history, the Miami Serpentarium, was honored on Monday with a historical marker.

Any kid growing up from 1946 to 1984, probably visited the snake place right off South Dixie Highway in Pinecrest.

Founder Bill Haast housed hundreds of snakes there and suffered 172 poisonous snake bites that eventually made him immune from the poison.

Haast died at the age of 100 in 2011.

Zoo Miami Goodwill Ambassador Rob Magill worked with Haast at the Serpentarium and helped honor Haast's legacy Monday along with Haast's widow Nancy.