CINCINNATI ZOO GUIDE 
secured control of the Zoo through the purchase of the stock of 
the Cincinnati Zoological Company. 
The purchase was not completed until early in 1902, when a 
new board of directors was elected and an extensive program 
for improving the Garden was adopted. This included the 
addition of a large number of animals to the collection, the 
construction of the new Herbivora Building, which stands near 
the front of the Garden, being a concrete structure of east 
Indian type of architecture, surmounted by an imposing dome; 
several smaller buildings were also erected and about twelve 
acres of land added to the area of the Garden. 
The work was accomplished under the administration of Mr. 
Edward Goepper, as president, whom Mr. Schoepf induced to 
undertake this position. 
In addition, a new band stand was erected as was also an 
outdoor auditorium, known as the Woodland Theatre, which 
was used in the first instance by the Ben Greet Players and was 
pronounced by Mr. Greet to be the most beautiful spot for 
dramatic productions that he had ever seen. 
The summer entertainment also included concerts every 
afternoon and evening by the best bands in the United States. 
Under the impetus thus given the Zoo Garden increased in 
popularity and importance and not only retained but increased 
its reputation throughout the country, and, in fact, throughout 
the world, and was visited by many more people than ever 
before, including thousands from out of the city and some who 
made special trips from abroad to see some of the birds and 
animals in the collection. 
While the Garden continued to grow, the cost of its operation 
grew enormously, and it became apparent that the Traction 
Company ought not to continue the operation of the Zoo 
Garden. Accordingly, a movement was started among the 
citizens of Cincinnati to purchase the Zoo. The work of pre¬ 
serving the Zoo started with the passage by Council of an 
ordinance authorizing the mayor to appoint a committee of 
five citizens. Mayor Spiegel appointed August Herrmann, 
Andreas E. Burkhardt, George W. Weedon, Samuel R. Meyer 
and Alfred Mack. The committee was organized on February 
22, 1915, with August Herrmann as chairman and Andreas E. 
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