Elitch Gardens was a major Denver entertainment destination for more than a century, combining an amusement park, theater, botanic garden, and in its early years a zoo. Opened in 1890 by John and Mary Elitch, it became the first zoo west of Chicago, and after John’s death Mary Elitch Long managed it for 26 years as the first woman to own and manage a zoo. Its theater hosted the nation’s oldest summer stock tradition from 1893 and Colorado’s first film exhibition in 1896. Later famous for its ballroom, gardens, florist business, and classic rides, the park moved downtown in 1995 while parts of the original site survived.

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Denver, Colorado · USA