The Kansas City Zoo's original building is still in use. I *think* it was built in 1907. It has just been renovated and now contains the new Tropics exhibit. There is also a valley area with old bear grottoes that was built in the 1930's. It is not currently in use. This year is the zoo's centennial so there have been historic tours, pretty interesting stuff!
Historic Preservation of Animal Exhibits
- Thread starter gorillaguy
- Start date
The KCZooman
Well-Known Member
From KCDocent: The Kansas City Zoo's original building is still in use. I *think* it was built in 1907. It has just been renovated and now contains the new Tropics exhibit. There is also a valley area with old bear grottoes that was built in the 1930's. It is not currently in use. This year is the zoo's centennial so there have been historic tours, pretty interesting stuff!
Actually, I think Kansas City Zoo's original building opened in 1909 while the idea of a zoo in Swope Park came about in 1907.
Thank you though for sharing your insight at the zoo. We hope to you more from you about the progress at the Kansas City Zoo as well as any experiances you might want to share.
Actually, I think Kansas City Zoo's original building opened in 1909 while the idea of a zoo in Swope Park came about in 1907.
Thank you though for sharing your insight at the zoo. We hope to you more from you about the progress at the Kansas City Zoo as well as any experiances you might want to share.
Yes, it did open in 1909 but it was built before that, they couldn't quite get everything organized to open until 1909. I think 1907 may have been when the construction started and it was completed in 1909. This building housed the entire zoo including elephants, hippos, apes, and many more animals. I wish I had all of the details written down. The whole history of Swope Park is very interesting!
I will try to contribute more often, I am not the best message board poster!
The KCZooman
Well-Known Member
From KCDocent: Yes, it did open in 1909 but it was built before that, they couldn't quite get everything organized to open until 1909. I think 1907 may have been when the construction started and it was completed in 1909. This building housed the entire zoo including elephants, hippos, apes, and many more animals. I wish I had all of the details written down. The whole history of Swope Park is very interesting!
I will try to contribute more often, I am not the best message board poster!
Thank you for clarifying your post. I found some info of the zoo's early history through my own personal research, but apparently there is still a lot I don't know about this facility.
Your doing a fine job with your messages. Feel free to post whatever you like to share on this site about the zoo and/or your experiances as a docent.
I will try to contribute more often, I am not the best message board poster!
Thank you for clarifying your post. I found some info of the zoo's early history through my own personal research, but apparently there is still a lot I don't know about this facility.
Your doing a fine job with your messages. Feel free to post whatever you like to share on this site about the zoo and/or your experiances as a docent.
jbnbsn99
Well-Known Member
Some that I've seen are:
Dallas
Bug U! This was the old administration building built by the WPA in the '30's and has been recently converted into a nice exhibit for native bugs.
Cat Row Again a WPA exhibit built in 1936 used to hold Lions, Siberian Tigers, Hyenas, Spotted, Black, and Snow Leopards, Pumas, Golden Cats in 12 tiny exhibits. Today it is 5 remodeled exhibits for ocelots, bobcat, and fishing cat. Still an eyesore.
Monkey House Up until 1999 the only monkey exhibit at the zoo and yet again another WPA building. Now is mostly an off exhibit holding facility for birds and a few primates. It was given a new facade and turned into Tamarin Treetops.
San Antonio
Bear Grottoes All the bear grottoes were built in the 1920's and at the time were among the first exhibits anywhere in the country to use a cageless design. Most are surprisingly big for the era.
Fort Worth
Monkey House Small exhibit now in the bird section that obviously holds birds. It belies its current use though with nice mosaics of tamarins and lemurs on its exterior.
Dallas
Bug U! This was the old administration building built by the WPA in the '30's and has been recently converted into a nice exhibit for native bugs.
Cat Row Again a WPA exhibit built in 1936 used to hold Lions, Siberian Tigers, Hyenas, Spotted, Black, and Snow Leopards, Pumas, Golden Cats in 12 tiny exhibits. Today it is 5 remodeled exhibits for ocelots, bobcat, and fishing cat. Still an eyesore.
Monkey House Up until 1999 the only monkey exhibit at the zoo and yet again another WPA building. Now is mostly an off exhibit holding facility for birds and a few primates. It was given a new facade and turned into Tamarin Treetops.
San Antonio
Bear Grottoes All the bear grottoes were built in the 1920's and at the time were among the first exhibits anywhere in the country to use a cageless design. Most are surprisingly big for the era.
Fort Worth
Monkey House Small exhibit now in the bird section that obviously holds birds. It belies its current use though with nice mosaics of tamarins and lemurs on its exterior.