Druid Hill Park in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Before Lawnmowers
Historic Maryland Zoo
An 1880 inventory of the Zoo's animal collection also mentioned a flock of sheep, although technically they were employed by the City of Baltimore. Oden Bowie, the newly elected governor of Maryland, gifted the park its first flock of sheep from his family farm in 1869. For the next 75 years, sheep trimmed the grass throughout Druid Hill Park. Proceeds from shearing the sheep went to the City treasury.
Every flock of sheep needs a shepherd, and Druid Hill Park employed several over the years, but none as memorable or long-serving as George McCleary, known as "Mr. Mac." He and his collies tended the sheep in the park from 1906 to 1926. Writing in The Sun in 1958, Malcolm Lowenstein recalled his boyhood trailing around after Mr. Mac. "He was better than any teacher we had in school," wrote Lowenstein. "His favorite subject was animals, and the good sense exhibited by so many of them. We all learned a great deal about animal and human nature from him."
Erected by The Maryland Zoo.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.
Location. 39° 19.416′ N, 76° 38.865′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Victorian Cages (a few steps from this marker); State-of-the-Art in 1876 (within shouting distance of this marker); Advancing Education and Animal Welfare (within shouting distance of this marker); Prioritizing Conservation (within shouting distance of this marker); The Crane Barn (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome Back to the Main Valley (within shouting distance of this marker); Sea Lions Came First (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Polar Bear Zoo (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 11, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 63 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 11, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
