Until recently, Barden had few visitors during venom collection by - invitation only.

But then, little more than a year ago, he mortgaged his 8-acre site, which includes his residence. He used the money to add onto his laboratory. And he is ending his 22-year flying career, taking a buyout soon from Com Air - all to create Reptile Discovery Center, a rare roadside serpentine attraction east of DeLand.

A dirt parking lot in a rural setting off International Speedway Boulevard, at 2710 Big John Drive, allows for bus parking and includes picnic facilities and a gift shop.

Now anyone can watch Barden conduct his hazardous business for about the price of a movie. And there are bonuses, including an indoor serpentarium with dozens of exotic snakes behind glass, poison arrow frogs, and an outdoor walking tour to see flora and fauna, including alligators, tortoises and Godzilla the iguana.

"The idea was really to expose people to the world of reptiles," Barden said. "Although it's a working snake farm, and the primary focus is on breeding and that kind of thing, we thought we could expose people to the animal and the animal to people."

"A year in the planning, the building was an 8-month project," said Barden, who first saw venom collection at a Florida attraction during a class trip from New England. Back in New York he kept a garter snake as a pet. During junior high school, his science teacher was a reptile importer, which spurred Barden's interests. His collection at home grew to 20 non-venomous snakes.

He studied biology at State University of New York. In 1983, he moved to Florida, where his parents retired. While earning a biology degree from the University of Central Florida, he worked at the Central Florida Zoo's reptile house for six years, where he learned the "husbandry" of snake farming.

For his Reptile Discovery Center, Barden has designed the indoor walk-through so he can care for the snakes from behind the displays.

"When I first got everybody (the snakes) into the exhibits, they got used to the movement of visitors and realized it's not a threat, but we had a little trouble with the forest cobra. The male was pretty high spirited and constantly hooding and hitting the glass."

It may have been disconcerting for visitors, but Barden was more concerned about the welfare of his snake.

"If he hit long enough or in the wrong way, he could injure himself," he said. "So we changed him out for a female and it has been working very nicely."

Barden said the attraction is not profitable yet, but he can continue for two years on venom sales and buyout money. By that time he hopes to be able to pay some of the bills from admissions.

He has two part-time employees. His sister, Anne Barden, retired from a 30-year law career, to help full time. And Barden's girlfriend, Denisse Abreu, 30, a native of the Dominican Republic, is his assistant. She has always loved working with animals and became interested in venomous snakes.

"Through a friend I was introduced to Carl, and ever since we have become friends forever," she said. While working with Barden, she also is planning to complete a science degree.

About a half-dozen snake handlers like Barden produce venom in the United States, and perhaps a dozen more do so around the world, Barden said. Two famous snake handlers in Florida - Bill Haast at Miami Serpentarium and George Van Horn at Reptile World in St. Cloud - are both friends and mentors to Barden.

Barden made his first venom sale to Haast, 99, in the early 1990s, and Van Horn said he worked on past projects with Barden and knew "for years he has had the enthusiasm" to create an attraction.

"Most people think it's just all about anti-venom, but that is a small part. Snake venom proteins have been important in research," Van Horn said in a phone interview. "And he can acquaint schools and visitors to what we have here in Florida."

One recent visitor to Barden's Reptile Discovery Center, Gary Gordon from DeLeon Springs, wandered through the exhibits and watched Barden "milk" the snakes of their venom from behind glass. He said he's returned several times, with friends since discovering the place.

"I like to think about old Florida and the things that were but that are no more," said Gordon, a retired salesman originally from South Florida. "The day of the roadside attraction has passed, but then all of a sudden, here in my own neighborhood is a brand new roadside attraction.

"When I stopped there and found out what a class act it is, and how nice Mr. Barden is, I was very gratified to see it," Gordon said. "Not only did I think it was worth the price of admission, but I have gone back with friends who also thought so."

Reptile Discovery Center, 2710 Big John Drive, DeLand, open Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed Aug. 24 through Oct. 14); Admission $8.50 Adults, $5.50 Students 4-17 and Seniors, Free to children 3 and younger. For information and group rates, call 386-740-9143.

PHOTOS: NEWS-JOURNAL, Audrey Parente