National Zoo

sign at the National Zoo

Lost Children Will Be Taken to the Lion House

Here is an amusing (though I don’t believe intentionally) sign that was posted in the National Zoo. The photo was taken in May of 1943. This reminds me of the crazy post we did a while...
Wide view of the Old Harvard Street Bridge across Rock Creek Park taken from the south (down creek) side. A dirt road with a log fence appears on the right.

Old Harvard Street Bridge Over Rock Creek

Do you know where the Harvard St. Bridge is? I couldn’t place it until I looked it up, and obviously, it’s the bridge at the end of Harvard St. within the National Zoo. Pretty obvious, right?...
two alligators ... they are scary

Alligators Found in Rock Creek

This is something that would scare the crap out of you. Just imagine walking along a path next to Rock Creek Park, only to stumble upon an 700-pound alligator. #OMFG … Absolutely terrifying, and God forbid...
1907 map of Washington Heights

1907 Map of Washington Heights (Adams Morgan) and the National Zoo

Look at all the empty lots in what would become weekend crazytown for drunk 20-somethings.
wolves are super scary

Wolf Escapes From Zoo, Terrorizing Cleveland Park

This is pretty scary. The crazy headline in The Washington Post on October 19th, 1902 was the cryptic and terrifying “Mad Wolf From Zoo.” Below is the account of multiple attacks in Cleveland Park. Residents of...
Alligators in their enclosure in the original Animal House, also known as the Carnivora House, which opened in 1892 and was the first permanent building at the National Zoological Park. The alligators are housed in the "temporary" wooden wing of the structure (Smithsonian)

Proposed National Zoo in Rock Creek Park

We are a great nation and Americans in the 1880s were proud of their rapidly growing and dominant country. But how can you truly be a great nation without a national zoo to show off all...
National Zoo lions

Lion Eats Woman At National Zoo

Here is a recent crazy story … very crazy. This one is from March of 1995, so I’m guessing there are a few of you who remember this. In the spring of that year, Margaret Davis...