CINCINNATI ZOO GUIDE 
HISTORY OF THE ZOO 
1 87 5-1923 
Andrew Erkenbrecher will always be known as the founder 
of the Cincinnati Zoological Garden. From early youth Mr. 
Erkenbrecher was a lover of birds and animals, and manifested 
this affection for our furred and feathered friends by keeping a 
great many bird and animal pets on his farm. A large cage is 
still exhibited in the Garden which Mr. Erkenbrecher formerly 
used on his farm in which to keep his birds, and it is still 
utilized for this purpose. Mr. Erkenbrecher for years previous 
to the establishment of the Zoo had such an institution in 
mind, having often spoken of it to Mr. Florence Marmett, 
Albert Fischer and many others of his business and social 
associates. Prior to the organization of the Zoological Society, 
the Society of Acclamation was in existence. It was at a meeting 
of this society in June, 1873, t ^ iat t ^ le question of a Zoological 
Garden for Cincinnati was first formally discussed. A letter 
from Doctor Brehm, the world famous zoologist, gave rise to 
the discussion which became enthusiastic, and it was resolved 
to call a meeting for June 30th in the Board of Trade rooms, to 
which all persons favoring the establishment of a zoo were 
invited. 
At this meeting arrangements were made for the organization 
of a stock company, and in less than a month afterward a large 
amount of stock was subscribed and a Board of Directors 
elected. At first it was thought that Burnet Woods Park would 
be the proper place for the Zoo, and an effort was made to get 
the city authorities to grant this park for such purpose, but 
without success. 
The present site was afterward purchased. The original tract 
of land embraced sixty-seven acres. It cost a great deal of 
money to grade it, enhance its natural beauty and erect the 
necessary buildings, but the founders were men of means and 
spirit, and every obstacle was overcome. 
The garden was formally opened to the public on September 
18, 1875. But the receipts did not equal the expenses, which 
were great, involving as they did, not alone the preparation of 
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