The Zoo at Rose Island: Those amazing animals!

The Zoo at Rose Island: Those amazing animals!. . , Animals all around , Zoos and exotic animals were popular amusements in the early 20th century, and Rose Island was part of the trend. Monkeys, raccoons, wolves, a groundhog, and alligators were among the menagerie. The best known resident of this tine zoo was a black bear named Teddy Roosevelt., Part of the cage? , A metal frame embedded in concrete (above) was most likely part of the cage that held the massive bear. While this “zoo” was nothing like those we see today, the animals were a thrilling addition to a summer excursion to Rose Island., Teddy Roosevelt was here! , Rose Island’s black bear was named in honor of Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States. In 1902, the president refused to shoot a chained black bear while on a hunting trip. So popular was Roosevelt that toy bears were created to celebrate the event. And so was born the “teddy bear” in hone of “Teddy” Roosevelt.,

“I remember there was a big, black bear called ‘Teddy Roosevelt’ in a cage. Among other things, they also had alligators in a pit every year.” – Thomas Lindley

, Did you ever have a Teddy Bear? , Like the Rose Island bear, your childhood Teddy Bear was named for President “Teddy” Roosevelt.