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The Cincinnati Zoo opened to the public in September 1875
at Vine Street and Erkenbrecker but the appearance of amusement
rides didn’t debut until 1902 under the direction
of Director Sol Stephen. IT became a non-profit organization
in 1899.
In 1902, a Gustav/Dentzel carousel was added for $11,000.
Any additional rides at this time consisted of camel and
elephant rides on the actual animals – what else would
you expect from a zoo? In 1917, Anna Stinton Taft and Marie
Emery purchased the Zoo and Charles P. Taft became president.
The next addition of a traditional amusement park ride did
not occur until 1918 when a PTC carousel was purchased to
replace the original model. The PTC #45 carousel sported
three rows and seated 48 riders.
In
July 1920, a dance hall, ice skating rink and pony rides
were added to the Zoo. Concerts and fireworks became regular
attractions, in addition to the growing array of animals.
In 1924, a ride called the Beehive was introduced and advertised
as “barrels of fun.” Apparently, the attraction
did not meet expectations and was dropped the following
year in favor of the Fun House.
In
1926, the “Kiddies Electric Playground” debuted
with a new PTC junior roller coaster. Kiddieland also featured
regular entertainers such as Uncle Josh and his pig and
Happy Curtis the clown. In 1932, a Whip and Ferris Wheel
were added to the Zoo’s ride line up and Clown JOe
Coyle made regular appearances. The most notable event that
occured that year was the sale of the Zoo to the City of
Cincinnati for $325,000.
In
1945, a streamlined train was added to transport visitors
around the Zoo. The following year, a second train was added
and a second Pony Ride was installed. Other changes included
a name change from Kiddieland to Playland and an arcade
replaced the Fun House. The most important move was the
announcement of a 10-year contract between the Zoo and the
Cincinnati Concession Company under the direction of Charles
J. Beal. The company leased the rides and attractions which
allowed the Zoo to concentrate on the animal exhibits.
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In
1951, an $8000 miniature trackless diesel train was purchased
from the National Amusement Device Company in Dayton,
Ohio. The train had a top speed of 15 M.P.H. and could
transport 48 passengers around the Zoo. It was referred
to as the “Little Palm” and sponsored by the
Southern Railway complete with the company’s color
scheme. It also featured Ned Hastings as the engineer.
By 1959, Playland featured the Caterpillar, the PTC carousel,
the Panther, a Tilt-A-Whirl, the Porpoise, the Swings,
an antique car ride, and the Airplanes. The Helicopter
ride was added in 1960. By this time, the Zoo also sported
three transport trains, called “Swan Lake Special,”
the “Bear Pit Train,” and the “Buffalo
Express.”
Between
the late 1960’s and the early 1970’s, Playland
took a back seat to the Zoo’s promotional savy by
giving away cars every year and featuring live local personalities
to increase attendance. As time went, the Zoo began experiencing
a need to acquire new land for additional animal exhibits.
In 1974, the PTC carousel was the first ride to be sold.
It was moved to Paramount’s Great America in Santa
Clara, California where it remained until being put into
storage in Seattle in 1999.
In
1978, the remainder of the rides were dismantled or sold
to make way for the new Ape House. A smaller amusement
area was developed next to the Whiting Grove but it was
closed in 1987 to make room for the Coors Peacock Pavilion.
In
2003, the Zoo’s purchase of a $100,000 Chance Morgan
carousel marked the return of mechanical rides to the
Cincinnati Zoo. The 36-foot diameter carousel features
30 animal figures and is protected under an impressive
looking thatch roof that keeps it in character with the
zoo surroundings. The carousel features two chariots,
an okapi, white rhino, manatee, camel, shark, mountain
lion, coyote, giraffe, eagle, cheetah, black rhino, hummingbird,
ostrich, seal, gorilla,
panther,
elephant, tiger, white tiger and zebra.
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