Royal Oak in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Detroit Zoological Park
By Joel Seewald, 2001
1. Detroit Zoological Park Marker
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.
Location. 42° 28.636′ N, 83° 9.015′ W.
By Image capture: July 2011; (c) 2020 Google
2. Detroit Zoological Park Marker
View looking to the west. The Wildlife Interpretive Gallery is on the left.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Ridge Road (approx. ¼ mile away); Polar Bears (approx. half a mile away); Royal Oak Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. half a mile away); Royal Oak Woman's Club (approx. 0.7 miles away); First Baptist Church of Royal Oak (approx. one mile away); Fred A. Baker House (approx. 1.2 miles away); Five and Dime (approx. 1.3 miles away); Pioneer & Merriman Apartments / Ferndale Fun Fact #2 / Ferndale History (approx. 1.4 miles 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 comments.
1. Marker possibly moved or removed
The marker was inside the zoo to the north of the Wildlife Interpretive Gallery, but may been moved or removed when the Park Penguin Conservation Center was built (the center opened in 2016).
— Submitted October 12, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 37 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 12, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Confirmation that the marker has either been removed or moved. • Can you help?
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