The turrets seen in the photo above in the middle, that are missing today, see photo below, look suspiciously like some that are seen at Disney Magic Kingdom. I wonder if someone stored them and then used them as negotiating barter to land a sweet heart deal at Animal Kingdom?
The tall, narrow doors in the towers were most likely "keeper doors", allowing the keepers to go between the three exhibits. Does anyone know when the bars were removed, and the fronts bricked in, with windows and doors added? I assume that then made three rooms, or did it make two, as the middle doesn't seem to have a door. What a wonderful example of zoological standards of the past, sadly being allowed to deteriorate.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Vintage Bear Pits--Fairgrounds Park, St. Louis Mo.
Posted by
Wade G. Burck
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2 comments:
I'm embarassed to say I've never seen them, even spending 38 years in STL. I knew about the Fairgrounds Park Zoo but no one mentioned there was an existing building. Not an area of town frequented by tourists but worth a look. I'll inquire if anyone of my old colleagues has seen them. Thanks for the photos.
Jim,
Is that true, or are you just patching for the lost turrets? It is probably one of the most unique "zoological structures" in the United States, and to think of it being used to store plows and dump trucks is real wrong. I drove out to see it in 1985, and have pictures of Adam and Eric standing in front of it. The chain link wasn't around it like it is now.
Idea. Given it's proximity to Baraboo and Peru, maybe the idea of a "Jim Alexander World Zoo Collection" should be pitched at a city or state counsel meeting in the near future. Artifacts from around the zoological world, to be housed in the historic refurbished Fairgrounds Park Bear Pit. I can envision Phil standing in front of the right tower, and Bushman standing in front of the left tower being a real draw, as well as a great photo op for tourists on their way from Peru to Baraboo.
Wade
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