Brookfield in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

South Gate

Dedicated in 1934

— Brookfield Zoo —

South Gate Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, September 24, 2023

1. South Gate Marker

Inscription. One of the first structures built, the South Gate is the original entrance to Brookfield Zoo. Guests walked through these arches after being dropped off by streetcars or the West Towns Electric railway, known as the "Toonerville Trolley" to locals.

Erected by Chicago Zoological Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.

Location. 41° 49.854′ N, 87° 50′ W. Marker is in Brookfield, Illinois, in Cook County. It can be reached from 31st Street. The marker is to the right of the entryway to the zoo from the South Gate. The South Gate is accessible by taking Golf Road, near Riverside-Brookfield High School. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8400 31st Street, Brookfield IL 60513, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hamill Family Play Zoo (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Swamp (about 300 feet away); Baboon Island (about 500 feet away); George F. Getz (about 600 feet away); Hamza (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Partners in Conservation (about 800 feet away); Theodore Roosevelt Fountain (about 800 feet away); Wild African Lions (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brookfield.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Partners in Conservation (was about 800 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Additional keywords.

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Brookfield Zoo South Gate from the parking lot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, September 24, 2023

2. Brookfield Zoo South Gate from the parking lot

Brookfield Zoo South Gate image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, September 24, 2023

3. Brookfield Zoo South Gate

The marker is in the bottom right corner of the photo.

Reverse view of South Gate from inside Brookfield Zoo image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, September 24, 2023

4. Reverse view of South Gate from inside Brookfield Zoo

Entrance, Brookfield Zoo, Chicago’s Zoological Garden image. Click for full size.

J.O. Stoll Co., Chicago, Curt Teich & Co. (courtesy Des Plaines Public Library), circa 1935

5. Entrance, Brookfield Zoo, Chicago’s Zoological Garden

The reverse side of the card reads: South Entrance to the Chicago Zoological Park between 33rd and 34tth Street, Brookfield, a suburb of Chicago. It is of Italian Peasant style of architecture with beautiful ornamental iron gates.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 354 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 24, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 25, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 5. submitted on September 25, 2023. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.