A Visit to the Columbus Zoo

Tonight my family, my entire family, will go to the Columbus Zoo. This has become an annual tradition. Each Christmas season we all go to the zoo to see the Wildlights, a seasonal display that is amazing to see. So, in the spirit of relating each day to history, I have decided to research the history of the Columbus Zoo.


The Columbus Zoo

On February 16, 1895, the Columbus Zoological Company was incorporated. This company received many animal donations, including bears, snakes, wolves, and a lion. Theodore Roosevelt even pledged animals to this company. However, another zoo opened as the Zoological Gardens at Olentangy Park on May 17, 1903. Still, the Columbus Zoological Company was not to be deterred. On May 28, 1905, the Columbus Zoo opened to very little fanfare and virtually no advertising. This zoo was located in Clintonville, and consisted of over 200 acres. This early zoo was more than just a zoo. It included amusement rides, picnic areas, a dance pavilion, and numerous billiard halls. However, this early zoo closed after just a few short months. And, the Columbus Zoo ceased to exist until 1927.

The present Columbus Zoo opened in 1927 as Riverside Park. The first animals were reindeer that were donated by the Columbus Dispatch. By 1930 the Columbus Zoological Society was formed by the Columbus Dispatch and the Ohio State Journal. And, the Columbus Dispatch continued to donate animals to the zoo. These early donations included lions, tigers, and monkeys. The first membership drive was held in 1937. Riverside Park was also renamed the Columbus Zoo in 1937. There were over 12,000 members of the zoo by 1940.

In 1956, the Columbus Zoo became home to Colo, the first gorilla in the world that was born in captivity. Jack Hanna became director of the Columbus Zoo, bringing many new ideas that would make Columbus and internationally recognized zoo. The most innovative idea was to take animals from their cages and place them in more natural looking/feeling habitats.

Today the Columbus Zoo is home to over 11,000 animals representing over 700 different species. These animals are in different areas of the park representing habitats found all over the world. And, it includes a water park, Zoombezi Bay. One of the zoos seasonal attractions includes the very popular Christmas Wildlights.