In
1947, Zoo director Gus Knudson, DVM, retired after
forty years at the zoo. He was often frustrated by
the mistreatment of the animals by visitors, as well
as the lack of support for the zoo by the City. He
had been a conspicuous and familiar figure in local
papers over the decades. He had the opportunity, on
his retirement, of having his say about the state
of the zoo. His farewell remarks were front page news.
Knudson vented his considerable accumulation of frustration,
blasting the Park Board for micromanagement and the
City of Seattle for their lack of financial support.
Dr. Knudson passed away in 1951.
He
was succeeded by the very capable Edward J. Johnson.
Johnson had been at the zoo since 1926, and not only
rose to become the zoo's director, but later became
the superintendent of Parks and then the director
of Seattle Center. It may have been a combination
of Knudson's remarks, Johnson's political skill, and
the booming post-war economy, but for whatever reasons
the zoo entered an unprecedented era of building.
The
zoo that existed at the time of Knudson's retirement
had changed little in thirty years. The zoo that Johnson
left when he became Parks Superintendent in 1960 was
phenomenally improved.
To
begin with, he went on a grand tour of the country's
better zoos, to take a look at their exhibits and
get ideas. In just ten years, a new complex of bear
grottos, a modern Feline House, Aviary, Ape House,
Seal pool, Administration building, Pony Barn, Flamingo
Exhibit, and Giraffe/Kangaroo House were built. It
is possible that without this timely burst of construction
activity, Woodland Park Zoo might have gone the way
of other zoos which were neglected for too long and
were finally deemed not worth saving.
1947: The
annual report says "1 million plus visitors" though
that figure should be taken with a large grain of
salt. The zoo was not even fenced, let alone gated,
and therefore attendance estimates were very rough.
Deaths:
Bactrian Camel (probably Nile, see 1922)
Animal
acquisitions were funded for the first time. Previously,
acquisitions were only by donations or trades.
A
new Aviary building was under construction, project
cost $150,000. Demolished in 1990, it was located
on the current site of (the western half of) the Rain
Forest Food Pavilion.
Dr.
Gus "Doc" Knudson, D.V.M., retired at age
67.
Edward
J. Johnson, zoo employee since 1926, was appointed
director on 1 Sept.
Seal
Pool (now the penguin exhibit) completed.
1948: A
new Pony Barn and pony ring were constructed. These
are the barn and ring still at the zoo in 1999.
First
administration building was constructed (in the 1970s
it was remodeled and enlarged, and became the ARC
building, near 55th and Phinney).
The
old zoo barn near the west entrance was removed.
The
Aviary was completed on December 5.
A
bond issue was passed, and $800,000 was allotted for
zoo improvements.
Plans
for new bear grottos opened for bids. The bid of $242,853
was the largest item on the zoo improvement list.
Today, this complex, updated and with more natural-appearing
exhibits, still serves as home for gorillas and tropical
bears.
The
zoo's first zebras were exhibited.
Work
began on a west entrance at Phinney Ave., in preparation
for fencing the zoo for the first time.
A
Childrens' Zoo was proposed by Ed Johnson.
A
1948 map shows a miniature train in place north of
the Parks shops, the location it would occupy until
its removal in 1980. It ran on 2,179 feet (.4 mi.)
of track, across the current sites of the Elephant
Forest and Trail of Vines. It was christened "Buffalo
Barn and Southern" by Doug Welch.
1949: Ocelot
acquired from John Beck carnival in exchange for boarding
fees.
1950: Started
renovation of Primate House -- improving heating and
air conditioning.
"Kiddyland" opened
with 5 rides on the site of the old tennis courts
(now the south parking lot). It had the original Ferris
wheel and carousel with a new boat ride, auto ride,
and streamliner train. Almost immediately, the area
proved to be too small to deal with demand.
Frederick & Nelson
donated a pair of jaguars.
Construction
started on Feline House and bear grottos.
Fencing
of the zoo started.
Seattle
population 467,591
1951: Feline
House (planned by Ed Johnson) opened. It was the first
of its kind in the country with glass-fronted cages
instead of bars. Animals could be moved from cage
to cage by just one person using a unique trolley
type cage (still in place and in use, 1999).
The
Primate House renovation was completed.
Dr.
Knudson passed away.
A
guide/speaker program for children was inaugurated
by Rev. Henry Post (died November 1951). It was not
an official program but led to the establishment of
one the following year.
The
bear grottos were completed, considered "state
of the art" at the time and attracted the attention
of Marlin Perkins and his "Zoo Parade" show.
Zoo
fencing completed.
1952: New
restroom/concession stand opened near site of old
bear cages, closed in 1990s. Giraffe/Kangaroo house
(now called Australasia) funded by the City. Unfortunately,
two giraffes captured in Africa and paid for by S.
L. Savidge (a Seattle Chrysler dealer) were not allowed
into the U.S. by the Dept. of Agriculture.
Position
of Guide-Naturalist (an education staff person) as
a formal program was approved. First to hold the title
was Jack Alexander.
1,217
specimens, 313 species.
Woodland
Park Zoo received animals from the Everett Zoo, which
closed.
1953: The
zoo's first Animal Health Department completed, with
X-Ray, minor surgery, necropsy room. Now referred
to as Old Animal Health
Bobo
was purchased for $5500 -- the zoo's first gorilla
and probably most-celebrated ever animal.
Tigers
Tongou and Sultana were brought to the Zoo. They produced
a total of 54 offspring at WPZ.
Great
Northern Engine #1246 was installed near what is now
the entrance to the Elephant Forest, just south of
the Feline House along the main circulation path.
Because
of parents' complaints (too crowded, lines too long,
kids refuse to go on into the zoo) Kiddyland was relocated
to the area just south of what is now the Thai Elephant
Forest, then inside the trackage of the BB&S railway.
Kiddyland was renamed Woodland Rides to appeal to
teenagers. The rides were increased in number and
quality. The move took place in 1953-54.
The
former site of Kiddyland was converted into a 256
space parking area. Two new lots were also created
along Phinney Ave.
Lion
Samson acquired.
1954: A
part-time veterinarian worked at zoo (a staffer for
King Co. Health Dept.)
Reserpine
was first used to immobilize animals for treatment
Experimental
work with parasite drug Caracide was provided free
by drug manufacturer.
In
December, the KCTS show Buttons and His Buddies began,
featuring zoo animals and a zoo staffer, first Jack
Alexander, and later Frank Vincenzi, who had trained
Buttons, a gibbon.
Giraffe
Duke donated by S.L.Savidge.
1955: Acquired
sea otter Susie. She was the first of her kind in
a U.S. zoo.
Giraffe
Duchess I was donated by S.L.Savidge.
1,571
specimens, 333 species.
1956: Elephant
rides were inaugurated with Morgan Berry-owned elephants
in the wading pool where the savanna is now located.
Construction
was begun on a Great Ape House.
Tiger
Sultana had a litter of five.
1.5
million to 2 million visitors (est.)
Who's
Who at the Zoo was published. Author Gordon
Newell (Parks Dept. Public Relations officer), illustrated
by Don Sherwood.
"Elmer" the
Safety Elephant (Cross Streets Safely) purchased with
children's donations. The fund-raising drive was promoted
by KING-TV. Elmer was a female African elephant, approximately
2 years old.
Gorilla "Fifi" was
acquired by zoo in early December. She was to be Bobo's
bride.
1957: Great
Ape House was completed. All glass fronts, as in the
Feline House. Twenty years later, the glass was salvaged
and used in the viewing windows of the new gorilla
exhibit.
Sultana
had a litter of five.
A
second sea otter was acquired.
Channel
4 (KOMO) and 5 (KING) had zoo guest appearances during
the year. Buttons and his Buddies continued
on KCTS.
Acquired "hero
pigeons" Geronimo and Eureka from the Army Signal
Corps, Ft. Monmouth, NJ. These were among the last
of the noted Army carrier pigeons. Keeper Bill Cowell
(died 1998), who worked at the zoo from about 1946
until the late 1980s, was discharged from the Homing
Pigeon section of the Army Signal Corps immediately
prior to coming to work at the zoo.
A
pair of young orangutans was acquired: Elvis (I) and
Sandra.
Tibetan
camels Tib and Bet were acquired.
Lion
Mach II had a litter of four.1958: Flamingo
exhibit featuring constructed. Site now occupied by
east patio of Rain Forest Food Pavilion.
Sultana
gave birth to a litter of four. Tiger cubs were going
for $1,000 apiece then, real money in the Fifties.
click to enlarge |
click to enlarge |
| Flamingo
Yard. |
Sultana's
cubs, actual year unknown. |
1959: Sultana
had a litter of five.
Zoo
annual budget $211,420
Elephant
moat constructed, sloping the yard down to a five-foot
high wall.
Polar
bear cub born.
Giraffe
Duchess (I) died of an accidental injury (broken leg),
1 Aug.
If you have comments
or suggestions about this page please send an e-mail to Dana
Payne
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