Two pillars exposed but the lack of vegetation. January 26, 2019. The sign on the right reads, "These lands became the home of the Lydio Family A.D. 1802. And by them these forests were preserved and protected until acquired by the city A.D. 1888." The sign on the left appears to be an 'in memory of' plaque but the only name words I can read are "Philip _____ Lydio". I have no other information on these pillars.
They were erected in 1903 to recognize the family that had owned the property before the City obtained it.
You can see the location of the Lydig Memorial on this 1904 map(#17 with the steps shown) https://www.gutenberg.org/files/53141/53141-h/images/map_hr.jpg
The area takes you behind World of Darkness and Snow Leopards so it was blocked decades ago to keep visitors from wandering back of house. The steps were demolished because the director saw no value in preserving remnants of the old zoo
To be sure the survival of the steps only encouraged visitors to explore areas where they should not go, but other historical structures were demolished during those years that could have been adapted and interpreted to visitors. Such a loss.
@Zooplantman I agree. While I think the zoo has done a great job of preserving Astor Court, it'd be nice to see the history displayed a bit more throughout the entire zoo. How many people have seen the Rockefeller Fountain, or the original gate, or the Rocking Stone? Or understand the significance of the original New York Zoological Society seal displayed in Astor Court?
Personally my favorite "hidden" piece of zoo history is the Cold War era nuclear bomb shelter sign still posted on the administration building opposite the original bird house.
