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

The Swamp

Opened as Primate House in 1933; Renovated as the Swamp in 1996

— Brookfield Zoo —

The Swamp Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn

1. The Swamp Marker

Inscription. Built just a year before Brookfield Zoo opened in 1934, this building was named the Primate House. Matching the architectural style of the South Gate, it initially housed a variety of primates.

In 1996, the building was renovated and the entire focus of the exhibit changed to swamp animals and the importance of swamps as ecosystems.

Erected by Chicago Zoological Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1933.

Location. 41° 49.902′ N, 87° 50.038′ W. Marker is in Brookfield, Illinois, in Cook County. It can be reached from 31st Street. The Swamp is located on the left when entering through the zoo's South Gate. The present-day primate house is immediately north and west of the Swamp. 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

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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: Baboon Island (within shouting distance of this marker); Hamill Family Play Zoo (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); South Gate (about 300 feet away); George F. Getz (about 400 feet away); Hamza (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Partners in Conservation (about 400 feet away); Theodore Roosevelt Fountain (about 500 feet away); Wild African Lions (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brookfield.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Partners in Conservation (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

The Swamp at Brookfield Zoo image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, September 24, 2023

2. The Swamp at Brookfield Zoo

Primate House image. Click for full size.

Raymond W. Trowbridge, photographer; courtesy of Chicago History Museum (ICHi-151511), circa 1934

3. Primate House

The photo shows this building sometime around the zoo's opening in 1934.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 983 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 25, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on July 24, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.