If you’ve lived in Southern California long enough, you may recall that the Los Angeles Zoo was once located in Griffith Park. It opened in 1912 and was a popular spot for kids and families until it closed in 1965. Instead of tearing down the original structures, they were left standing and still remain on the property today. It makes for an eerie tour to walk through this old zoo that was once bustling with life. Here’s a glimpse of what it looks like today; it’s a fascinating exploration that will make this zoo visit one you won’t soon forget.
flickr/don barrett
At first glance it looks like this spot is just another ordinary Los Angeles park with towering trees and a blanket of green grass.
yelp/kathy s.
flickr/rachel obscura
But as you stroll deeper into the park you’ll see that something’s not quite right.
yelp/emily t.
Lifeless structures abandoned many years ago are still standing. Empty cages line the walkway in an area you can imagine was once bustling with life.
flickr/don barrett
Ripped, torn and rusted barbed wire shows the age of these cages that were left behind and allowed to decay.
flickr/don barrett
flickr/leiris202
Peer inside one of the structures where the animals were once housed and you’ll find what now looks like an old, abandoned prison.
flickr/leiris202
Picnic tables that once held families on a busy weekend afternoon sit empty and alone. Remember this spot? If you were a kid growing up when this zoo was open you most likely had a few picnic lunches at these tables.
flickr/leiris202
And although this old zoo has been sitting abandoned, it offers the perfect backdrop for some unexpected entertainment like Shakespeare in the Park…
yelp/felix m.
Or a haunted hayride. Because what good is an old zoo if you can’t repurpose it?
yelp/tom v.
It wasn’t always a haunting symbol of the past. But today it sits alone and abandoned and has been that way for over 50 years.
yelp/ashlei o.
What an interesting piece of Southern California history. This spot makes for a perfect day trip for walking and exploring, so head to LA for the day and take a look around. If you remember this zoo from the past before it was closed, we would love to hear from you so please share your memories in the comments.
flickr/don barrett
yelp/kathy s.
flickr/rachel obscura
yelp/emily t.
flickr/leiris202
yelp/felix m.
yelp/tom v.
yelp/ashlei o.
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