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[[Image:Monkey Island postcard.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Postcard view of Monkey Island]]
[[Image:Monkey Island postcard.jpg|right|thumb|425px|Postcard view of Monkey Island]]
'''Monkey Island''' was the first animal exhibit constructed for the [[Birmingham Zoo]] at [[Lane Park]]. It opened on [[April 2]], [[1955]] and was the brainchild of Mayor [[Jimmy Morgan]].
'''Monkey Island''' was the first animal exhibit constructed for the [[Birmingham Zoo]] at [[Lane Park]]. It was the brainchild of Mayor [[Jimmy Morgan]] and was designed by [[Charles Snook]] of [[Charles H. McCauley Associates]].  


Labor to construct the exhibit was donated by local unions and materials, such as slag for concrete aggregate, were donated by industries. The exhibit was built to resemble an island with rocky outcrops and was surrounded by a shallow pool of water. The interior of the structure is a heated room covered in glazed tiles that could be hosed down every evening. A tunnel connects the room to a building north of the exhibit.
Labor to construct the exhibit was donated by local unions and materials, such as slag for concrete aggregate, were donated by industries. The 80 by 120-foot exhibit was built in a pit and made to resemble an island with rocky outcrops using gunite (sprayed concrete). The island was surrounded by a 7-foot-wide shallow moat of water and ringed by a wrought-iron fence. The island was furnished with a playhouse, playground-style "monkey bars" and trapezes. The interior of the structure was a heated room covered in glazed tiles that could be hosed down every evening. A six-foot tall by six-foot wide tunnel, made to accommodate a keeper with a wheelbarrow, connected the room to a building north of the exhibit.  


In later years the exhibit was reconfigured as a habitat for alligators and snapping turtles, and later for waterfowl. On [[September 25]]-[[September 26|26]], [[2009]], the zoo held a special event as they began dismantling the exhibit and gave visitors an opportunity to receive a piece of the rocks that made the outcrops.
The first monkeys to be exhibited at the zoo included "[[Alabama (monkey)|Alabama]]", donated by dancer [[LaBelle Carroll]], [[Romeo]], and four others donated by the [[Kent Animal Hospital]]. A total of around forty rhesus monkeys were present when the attraction opened to the public in March [[1955]]. [[Patsy Spencer]], daughter of a "Magic Week-end in the Magic City" contest, was given the honor of pulling the rope releasing the monkeys onto their new island home. The ceremony, attended by Mayor Morgan and a "surprise celebrity," was delayed by rain.
 
In [[1999]], the spider monkeys then inhabiting the exhibit were moved to the zoo's primate building. Monkey Island was then reconfigured as a habitat for alligators and snapping turtles until [[2002]], at which time the alligators and turtles were moved out and a duck exhibit moved in. The ducks were moved to the zoo's general pond in [[2009]], just prior to demolition of the island. On [[September 25]]-[[September 26|26]], [[2009]], the zoo held a special event as they dismantled the exhibit and gave visitors an opportunity to purchase pieces of the rocks that made the outcrops.


==References==
==References==
* Hogan, Ben (January 1969) "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/Zoo(1-69).jpg To 'Mr. Birmingham' the zoo is his trophy]" ''Birmingham News''
* Lilliston, Lynn (April 1954) "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/Zoo%20%2804-54%29.jpg Kickoff drive for zoo here to be held Tuesday]" {{BN}} - via [[Birmingham Rewound]]
* Thornton, William (September 24, 2009) "[http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-stories/2009/09/birmingham_zoo_to_level_monkey.html Birmingham Zoo to level Monkey Island, last original exhibit]". ''Birmingham News''
* "Zoo directors get progress report on initial unit." (August 1954) {{BN}} - via [[Birmingham Rewound]]
* "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/Zoo%20%2809-54%29.jpg First in new zoo— Moving day draws near for monkeys]" (September 1954) {{BN}}  - via [[Birmingham Rewound]]
* Lilliston, Lynn (October 1954) "[Monks' home at the zoo— Island to look like big rock]"
* Hogan, Ben (January 1969) "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/Zoo(1-69).jpg To 'Mr. Birmingham' the zoo is his trophy]" {{BN}}
* Thornton, William (September 24, 2009) "[http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-stories/2009/09/birmingham_zoo_to_level_monkey.html Birmingham Zoo to level Monkey Island, last original exhibit]". {{BN}}


[[Category:Birmingham Zoo]]
[[Category:Birmingham Zoo]]
[[Category:1955 buildings]]
[[Category:1955 buildings]]
[[Category:Demolished buildings]]
[[Category:Charles McCauley buildings]]
[[Category:2009 demolitions]]

Latest revision as of 10:37, 16 April 2023

Postcard view of Monkey Island

Monkey Island was the first animal exhibit constructed for the Birmingham Zoo at Lane Park. It was the brainchild of Mayor Jimmy Morgan and was designed by Charles Snook of Charles H. McCauley Associates.

Labor to construct the exhibit was donated by local unions and materials, such as slag for concrete aggregate, were donated by industries. The 80 by 120-foot exhibit was built in a pit and made to resemble an island with rocky outcrops using gunite (sprayed concrete). The island was surrounded by a 7-foot-wide shallow moat of water and ringed by a wrought-iron fence. The island was furnished with a playhouse, playground-style "monkey bars" and trapezes. The interior of the structure was a heated room covered in glazed tiles that could be hosed down every evening. A six-foot tall by six-foot wide tunnel, made to accommodate a keeper with a wheelbarrow, connected the room to a building north of the exhibit.

The first monkeys to be exhibited at the zoo included "Alabama", donated by dancer LaBelle Carroll, Romeo, and four others donated by the Kent Animal Hospital. A total of around forty rhesus monkeys were present when the attraction opened to the public in March 1955. Patsy Spencer, daughter of a "Magic Week-end in the Magic City" contest, was given the honor of pulling the rope releasing the monkeys onto their new island home. The ceremony, attended by Mayor Morgan and a "surprise celebrity," was delayed by rain.

In 1999, the spider monkeys then inhabiting the exhibit were moved to the zoo's primate building. Monkey Island was then reconfigured as a habitat for alligators and snapping turtles until 2002, at which time the alligators and turtles were moved out and a duck exhibit moved in. The ducks were moved to the zoo's general pond in 2009, just prior to demolition of the island. On September 25-26, 2009, the zoo held a special event as they dismantled the exhibit and gave visitors an opportunity to purchase pieces of the rocks that made the outcrops.

References

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