Building the Washington Park Zoo ~ 1892-1927

Photograph of Deer Park 1892

1892

West Park Zoo came into existence when a small display featuring mammals and birds was established in a West Park barn.  The specimens on exhibit included 12 deer donated by General Louis Auer and Colonel Gustave Pabst and Pluto, a hand-reared bald eagle presented by Louis Lotz, a druggist and well-known Milwaukee naturalist.