Philadelphia Zoo opens

Background. The Philadelphia Zoo was chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on March 21, 1859, but its opening was delayed by the Civil War until July 1, 1874. It is recognized as the first true zoo in the United States, earning its motto "America's First Zoo." The Lincoln Park Zoological Gardens in Chicago and the Cincinnati Zoo opened only in 1875, a year later.

Opening. The zoo opened its Victorian gates on July 1, 1874. More than 3,000 visitors attended the opening day. At that time, it was the only institution of its kind in the New World. The opening established Philadelphia's claim to having the nation's first zoo, a status highlighted in the city's historical firsts.

Context. The zoo's opening preceded the 1876 Centennial Exposition, which was held in Fairmount Park, a few blocks from the 33-acre zoo. Attendance increased to nearly 680,000 visitors in 1876, a 36 percent increase over the preceding year. The zoo received railroad visitors at the Zoological Garden station from its opening in 1874.