Fairmount Park in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
America's First Zoo
Celebrating our first 150 years, 1859 - 2009
The Philadelphia Zoo received its charter from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on March 21, 1859. Much of the credit for founding the Zoo belongs to Dr. William Camac, a local physician. He and his colleagues wrote the charter for the Zoological Society of Philadelphia and led fundraising efforts. Their efforts were suspended during the Civil War years, but after the war the Society gathered support and started building. The Zoo opened its gates on July 1, 1874, with almost 600 animals, including wombats, alligators and baboons.
On the Zoo's 150th anniversary, over 1,300 animals from around the world are a resource for the entire community and the focus for the Zoo's conservation and education mission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Education • Parks & Recreational Areas • Science & Medicine. A significant historical date for this entry is March 21, 1859.
Location. 39° 58.471′ N, 75° 11.735′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Fairmount Park. It is on North 34th Street (U.S. 30) just south of West Girard Avenue (U.S. 30), on the right
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Historic Architecture (a few steps from this marker); A Bright Future (a few steps from this marker); The Philadelphia Zoo (within shouting distance of this marker); Colobus monkey (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Andrew Jackson Baker IV (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ossabaw Island hog (about 600 feet away); The Solitude (about 600 feet away); The Walter Gray Family Gardens at The Solitude (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
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Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,273 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 26, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
