Royal Oak in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Detroit Zoological Park

Photographed By Joel Seewald, 2001

1. Detroit Zoological Park Marker

Inscription. When it opened on August 1, 1928, the Detroit Zoological Park was unique and progressive in its design. The Detroit Zoological Society commissioned Boston landscape architect Arthur Shurtleff to draw the plans for the park. Shurtleff did so according to the practices of landscape designer Carl Hagenback [sic] of Hamburg, Germany, who promoted the construction of zoo exhibits without bars. Rather than being caged, the animals roamed freely in outdoor habitats bounded by moats and "rocks" made of reinforced concrete. Carl's son Heinrich came here to supervise and build the exhibits. The Detroit Zoological Park is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Erected 2000 by Michigan Historical Center, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number S659.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 1, 1928.

Location. 42° 28.626′ N, 83° 9.015′ W. Marker is in Royal Oak, Michigan, in Oakland County. Marker can be reached from West Ten Mile Road near Woodward Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8450 West Ten Mile Road, Royal Oak MI 48067, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this marker. The History of the Detroit Zoo (within shouting distance of this marker); Ridge Road (approx. ¼ mile away); Polar Bears (approx. half a mile away); Royal Oak Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); Royal Oak Woman's Club (approx. 0.7 miles away); Rackham Golf Course (approx. 0.7 miles away); Howard & Howard (approx. 0.7 miles away); How Royal Oak Got Its Name (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Royal Oak.

Also see . . .
1. Detroit Zoo. Wikipedia article that includes a history of the zoo. (Submitted on October 12, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

2. Arthur Asahel Shurcliff. Wikipedia article about Arthur (Shurtleff) Shurcliff. (Submitted on October 12, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

3. Carl Hagenbeck. Wikipedia article about the German wild animal merchant and transformer of zoo architecture. (Submitted on October 12, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

Additional commentary.
1. Marker moved
The marker was removed when the Park Penguin Conservation Center was built (the center opened in 2016). The marker was missing for several years, but was reinstalled about 65 feet to the south

Photographed By Joel Seewald, November 24, 2021

2. Detroit Zoological Park Marker

of the previous location.

— Submitted October 12, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.

3. Detroit Zoological Park Marker

Marker in original location. View looking to the west. The Wildlife Interpretive Gallery is on the left.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, November 24, 2021

4. Detroit Zoological Park Marker

Marker in new location. View looking to the west. The Wildlife Interpretive Gallery is in the background.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 1, 2023

5. Detroit Zoological Park Marker

The marker is in the location shown in the 2021 photo. It had only been moved a few feet from original location.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 272 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 12, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 2. submitted on December 27, 2022, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 3. submitted on October 12, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 4. submitted on December 27, 2022, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 5. submitted on July 1, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.