Do Feed The Animals

“Don’t feed the animals” is a relatively new term which originated in zoos when they evolved from purely recreational facilities to more educational and research based ones in the 1970s. In the late 19th and early 20th Century, zoos did not benefit the needs of the animal, but rather those of the visitor. Animals were kept in small cages with no resemblance to their natural habitat. In 1973, our third grade class visited the Pittsburgh Zoo in Highland Park, and even at that time, it was still basically a Victorian exhibition-style zoo with small cages and concrete floors. Rock Springs Park had a small zoo at the start of the Macdonald Era in 1927. One of the key features was “Monkey Island” with its “Monkey Hotel.” I had only ever seen a distant shot of this feature in postcards and photographs (see above), but this close-up recently became available.

This sign is blurry, but a close analysis shows it to read, “Do Feed the Animals.” Here is a recreation of the sign and its exact wording:

The Grand Opening of the Macdonald Era at Rock Springs Park Is Heralded

Saturday, May 19, 1928

On this date in Rock Springs Park history, the "Grand Opening" of the Macdonald Era at Rock Springs Park was heralded in the Daily Times of Beaver, Pennsylvania. The advertisement describes the beautiful Virginia Gardens Ballroom featuring Billy Coppels Entertainers, many rides and amusements, a remodeled Crystal Pool and Boating, and many other new features and attractions. New that year was the zoo with "Monkey Island" and "Goat Mountain." The ad concluded see the "Ohio Valley's Most Picturesque Playground where the Famous Rock Spring Flows." See the ad and the “New Dangler” at http://rockspringspark.blogspot.com/2011/04/strolling-through-park-in-1928.html.

Monday, May 19, 2010

Also on this date two years ago, the book, Images of America: Rock Springs Park hits bookshelves 40 years after the park’s last season – 1970.