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1919 – George Finnup donated 105 acres of land for
a park in memory of his father, Frederick Finnup.
1927 – The zoo was established in Finnup Park by
the local chapter of the Izaak Walton League in conjunction with the
City of GC. The first animals were two skunks brought in by Lee
Richardson, then Chief of Police and Park and Zoo Superintendent. IWL’s
intent was to house species common to the local area. Each committee
member was charged with finding an animal to donate to get the zoo
started. In August, two members not satisfied with a common donation
dealt with a passing circus to purchase an African Lioness, the first
major addition to the zoo.
1929 – A male raccoon was added in February, and
later that year Denver Zoo donated two bear cubs. Salt Lake City, Utah
gave us a pair of mule deer in October. A pair of bobcats was acquired
between ’27 and ’29.
1932 – Claude Owens, who frequently worked in the
park planting trees and shrubs was hired to take care of the Parks/Zoo
Dept. under Chief Richardson.
1948 – Two 8 month old, 75 pound polar bear cubs
arrived from Alaska in September. They were transported from Anchorage
to Garden City, arriving by rail express. The pair was a gift from the Stanolind Oil Company who was planning to build a plant in Garden City.
1950 – April 26th saw the Garden City
Zoo formally renamed the Lee Richardson Zoo, in honor of his many years
of service and dedication to the zoo.
1951 – Death of Lee Richardson sees Claude Owens
named Park Superintendent. Tommy the Lion was born, later becoming the
1952 star of an educational film. Zoo saw some flooding of the Arkansas
River.
1956 - Penny, the zoo’s first elephant, was
donated by the Cheyenne Mountain zoo in Colorado Springs. She was
transported here gratis by local trucker, C.F. McGraw, and was reputed
to have rocked back and forth on the way, almost upsetting the truck.
1957 – Polar bear
cub Klondike born to Stan and Lin.
1965 – A major flood inundated most of the zoo and
many of its animal cages, to heights of 5-8’ deep. Many animals were
rescued, but a number were lost. Animals were transfered to local
reserves and farms, where they were held until flood waters receded.
1967 – Twinkles, an Asian elephant, arrived at the
zoo from Six Flags over Texas at the age of 5 years.
1970 – Supt. Claude Owens retires after serving
the park/zoo for 38 years. He is replaced by Bob Fulton, a zoo employee
since 1965.
1975 – Garden City Friends of the Zoo (GCFOTZ)
established as a support organization for LRZ.
1980 – One way traffic thru zoo implemented. Big
cat exhibit opened, African Plains exhibit constructed, as was the
commissary/shop/vet clinic buildings.
1982 – Entrance fee initiated for vehicles entering zoo between 10 AM and
closing. Pedestrian and member vehicles still free.
1983 – A new pachyderm building completed. Funded
jointly by GCFOTZ and the City.
1985 – GCFOTZ changes name to Friends of Lee
Richardson Zoo to reflect the larger area served by the zoo.
1986 –
Two 3-year-old African elephants arrived. Marie Osterbuhr Aviary completed. Zoo granted
Accreditation by the American Association for Zoological Parks and
Aquariums (AAZPA).
1987 – Main entrance renovation begun, funded by
City, Finney County Historical Society, FOLRZ, Finnup Foundation. Ben
Grimsley Gym limestone arches re-erected at entrance. Joined ISIS and
computerized all animal records. Elephants swam in big pool after it
closed for summer.
1994 – Finnup Foundation presents zoo with $1
million dollar gift to build the Finnup Center for Conservation
Education. Elephant barn expanded and remodeled to accommodate
management of elephants to Protected Contact.
1995 – Major road construction throughout zoo,
adding curb, gutter and new pavement. Zoo ranked third on states list
of public attractions, behind the Sedgwick County Zoo and the Cosmosphere. Vehicle fee raised to $3.00.
1996 - Finnup Center for Conservation Education
completed. Pool added to elephant yard.
1997 – Distance Learning studio added to Finnup
Center for Conservation Education, and Wild Asia exhibit opened.
1998 – Birth of Reticulated giraffe aired live on
public access Cable Channel 8 in December.
1999 – Animal Division successfully conducts
ultrasound examinations on both elephants, in preparation for artificial
insemination.
2001 – Elephant SSP grants permission to proceed
with plans for AI on the elephants. Education Division awarded the
KACEE Award by the Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental
Education. Asiatic Black bear exhibit completed.
2002 - Zoo’s 75th Anniversary! New entrance and
directional signage developed and installed for Finnup Park and LRZ.
Pool division shifted to Recreation Commission at end of year.
2004 -
Kansas Waters Exhibit constructed, opened to public late December with
grand opening planned for spring of 2005.
2005 - Swift fox
exhibit completed. The first Wild Affair hosted by FOLRZ was a
great success. Zoo forms partnership with USD 457 and begins using
KAN-ED statewide network for DL programming.
2006
- Zoo hosts Kansas Sampler Festival
2007 - Fall
conference of the Central Mountains and Plains section of the Wildlife
Society
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