Druid Hill Park in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Mary Ann and George
Historic Maryland Zoo
For several decades, this is where Nile hippos swam in their outdoor pool. The hippos eventually moved, the pool was filled in, and the site became a Raptor Garden featuring birds of prey.
Mary Ann, the Zoo's first elephant, moved into this building—the brand-new Elephant House—in 1926. That same year, she got a housemate: a 600-pound baby Nile hippopotamus named George who was transported by automobile to Baltimore from the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. where he was born. George was the Zoo's first hippopotamus and he lived at the opposite end of the building from Mary Ann. He grew to be 5,000 pounds and left a huge impression. According to his 1961 obituary in The Evening Sun, many Zoo visitors described him as "a hideous looking creature, especially when he opened his 2˝-foot mouth." That did not stop him from being popular. Every year, a large crowd would gather on his birthday to sing to him and watch him devour his cake.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.
Location. 39° 19.464′ N, 76° 38.8′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in Druid Hill Park. Marker can be reached from Safari Place north of Beechwood Drive, on the right when traveling
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Maryland Building (here, next to this marker); The Elephant House (within shouting distance of this marker); Polar Bear Zoo (within shouting distance of this marker); Sea Lions Came First (within shouting distance of this marker); Elephant Walk (within shouting distance of this marker); Grizzlies in Polar Bear Territory (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Vega's Story (about 300 feet away); Back from the Brink (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.
Additional keywords. 🐘🦛
Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 221 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
