Opelika in Lee County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Municipal "Monkey" Park
Photographed By James L.Whitman, November 19, 2022
1. Municipal "Monkey" Park Marker
Opelika's Board of Parks and Recreation hired W.J. "Bill" Calhoun as its first director in 1951. His top priority was to develop a wooded area behind Northside School. Two adjacent parcels of land were donated by I.J. Scott, Sr. and Winston Smith T, Sr. to form Municipal Park, which opened in 1955.
A miniature train called the Rocky Brook Rocket was the park's first attraction. The locomotive was a 1:16 replica of the diesel trains of the era. Local civic groups helped finance the train, named for the creek that flowed through the park. Rides were fifteen cents.
On March 31, 1956, Monkey Village opened at the park. It housed eight spider monkeys in a habitat that included concrete block quarters, trees, flying rings, and a trapeze. The monkeys provided entertainment to park visitors for almost 25 years. They were relocated to the Montgomery Zoo in July 1980.
The creation of Municipal "Monkey" Park was a turning point for Opelika's recreational program.
Erected 2016 by Alabama Historical Association, sponsored by the Opelika Historic Preservation Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Parks & Recreational Areas
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Location. 32° 39.516′ N, 85° 22.976′ W. Marker is in Opelika, Alabama, in Lee County. Marker can be reached from North 5th Street north of Park Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1102 N 5th St, Opelika AL 36801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Salem Shotwell Covered Bridge (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Top Rock Millstone (about 600 feet away); Lieutenant Colonel Dallas B. Smith (approx. 0.2 miles away); Emmanuel Episcopal Church (approx. 0.7 miles away); Rosseau's Raid to East Alabama (approx. ¾ mile away); Opelika A Railroad Town/Opelika An Industrial City (approx. ¾ mile away); First United Methodist Church (approx. 0.8 miles away); South Railroad Avenue (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Opelika.
Photographed By James L.Whitman, November 19, 2022
2. Municipal "Monkey" Park Marker
Photographed By James L.Whitman, November 19, 2022
3. A monkey display in the park
Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2022, by James L.Whitman of Eufaula, Alabama. This page has been viewed 320 times since then and 91 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 19, 2022, by James L.Whitman of Eufaula, Alabama. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
