A History of the Oklahoma City Zoo

Why is it so important to preserve a history of the Oklahoma City Zoo? Many people spent a lot of work and time to create such a rich environment for children (and adults alike) to see and learn about so many animals.

The information below comes straight from the Oklahoma City Zoo's website. It provides a historical perspective of the zoo that is both informative and interesting to read.

When we visited the zoo, we had no idea what a long line of historical events went on before to give us such a lovely park in which to see the wide array of animals.

Without further delay, A History of the Oklahoma City Zoo:

A History of the Oklahoma City Zoo

History of the Oklahoma City Zoo: The Early Years

1904: Zoo opened at Wheeler Park as small menagerie. First zoo in Southwest. First animal acquired was a deer fawn.

1909: City of Oklahoma City purchases 600 acres for Lincoln Park. Collection consists of 125 animals.

History of the Oklahoma City Zoo: The 1920's

1923: Zoo moved to State Fair Grounds (now site of Douglass High School) because of devastating flood in Wheeler Park.

1924: Fire razes Lincoln Park.

1925: Reconstruction begins at Lincoln Park on 17 acres and Zoo moved to this site.

History of the Oklahoma City Zoo: The First Zoo Director Named

1930: First Zoo Director, Leo Blondin ("Uncle Leo") hired.

1933: Under WPA, the CCC begins program to construct the Zoo Amphitheater.

1935: WPA approves major expenditures for Zoo.

1938: WPA turns projects over to the City. Completed are the bear, cat, and ungulate exhibits, as well as picnic shelters and roadways.

History of the Oklahoma City Zoo: The 1040's

1947: "Uncle Leo" dies of pneumonia. Julian Frazier from the Ft. Worth Zoo hired as new Director.

1949: Judy the Elephant acquired through "Children's Pennies for a New Elephant" campaign.

History of the Oklahoma City Zoo: The Leopard Escapes

1950: Leapy the Leopard escapes. Captured three days later after eating drugged horse-meat. However, he died the next day due to overdosage. Five-page coverage appears in Life magazine.

1950's: Completion of a new sea lion exhibit funded by Ser-toma Club; Primate and Giraffe building completed.

1953: Matilda the Hippopotamus acquired through a campaign featuring Gayla Peevey's song, "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas".

Leapy's mate escapes and is shot and killed within hours as she attempts to leave zoo grounds.

1954: Friends of the Zoo founded to raise money for the purchase of animals for the Zoo.

I hope you enjoyed reading this history of the Oklahoma City Zoo. When I first read through it, I was amazed at all of the changes the zoo went through. I think it is important to preserve a history of the Oklahoma City Zoo for everyone to see how much others have done to provide such a great place to visit.

One note of interest, when my daughter's class at school visited the OKC Zoo, the koala's were on exhibit. They sure slept a lot. We saw the eucalyptus branches hanging on the trees near them as that's what they eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

A few days later, when I was answering phones for the Cleveland County Extension office, I met the man who built the cages for the koalas. He happens to be a fellow master gardener. It was so surprising (although it shouldn't have been), that someone I knew was called upon to create such a neat place for some visiting koala's.

Yes, I know that doesn't have much to do with the history of the Oklahoma City Zoo, but I thought it was interesting enough to write about.

I hope you enjoyed reading the history of the Oklahoma City Zoo. I certainly did.

To make this adorable Bee Ornament, see the step-by-step tutorial and photos on the How To Arts and Crafts.com website.

Follow this link for Directions to the Oklahoma City Zoo