When the Zoo Began

In 1919, the first animal exhibit was opened - a bear! However, WW2 and the Great Depression almost caused the zoo to close due to lack of funds. Then tragedy hit, and in 1966, a lion escaped his cage and killed a zookeeper. People though the zoo would close down for sure.

Donated land to become a park, but he never said what kind of park; only that the park should be for the community to enjoy. People later decided to turn the land into a zoo.

Erastus Ross