Another favorite from my past is the zoo, which beckoned us as we walked out of the Japanese Tea Garden.
Unique Surroundings
I love it completely for its rock quarry surroundings and fenceless views.
The zoo’s history lies alongside its neighbor, the Japanese Tea Garden.
Exotic Animal Collection
San Antonio philanthropist George Washington Brackenridge had been collecting exotic animals in the southern part of his namesake park that he had donated to the city.
Added to the exotic collection in 1912 were several bison that Brackenridge purchased from famed cowboy from the Texas panhandle, Charles Goodnight.
From Rock Quarry to Zoo
While the city park commissioner set aside a portion of an abandoned rock quarry for the proposed Japanese Tea Garden, the rest of the unused quarry, 50 acres of a former Spanish land grant, was designated for a zoo.
The limestone cliff walls formed a natural backdrop for wild animals.
San Antonio River Runs Through It
With the San Antonio River freely flowing through Brackenridge Park from the nearby headwaters, a canal system was built within the zoo for some of the habitats.
In 1929 a non-profit was formed to help the city with administration of the zoo: the San Antonio Zoological Society.
Much of the work seen today at the zoo is a result of the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s.
Unique aspects for the zoo when it first opened:
- Privately owned
- Natural setting
- Barless designs
Over the years the zoo has had more upgrades, keeping their focus on the natural quarry walls.
Memories of Elephant Rides
Although I’ve enjoyed all the upgrades to the exhibits, the one thing I miss are the elephant rides!
To enjoy more pictures of this lovely area, click here to see my Flickr set.
