Entrance to Story Book Zoo

Bear Show

He bought 28 acres of land sandwiched between Rte.1 and the meandering Neshaminy Creek in Penndel, Pa. And in April, 1950, he opened the Story Book Zoo.

It was a children's petting zoo stocked with tame, domestic and wild animals and fowl. Food was available for the children to feed to the animals.

The Kiddie Zoo had baby piglets, lamb, calves, deer and birds for the children to pet and feed. People were there to answer the children's questions.

Children could watch a real cow being milked. There were chickens, ducks, rabbits, fawns, turkeys, sheep and goats. There were monkeys and donkeys. There were 2 llamas from South America and a peacock spreading its colorful feathers. And a bear would do a stage act for the children's entertainment.

There were horseback rides, a merry-go-round, a boat ride, and other fun for the kids.

And there were shaded picnic grounds available for the public's use.

For 13 years, the Story Book Zoo kept children entertained. It allowed them to see farm animals up close, and learn about them.

Bernard closed the zoo at the end of March 1963. He had lost interest in keeping after the animals.

He sold the land for an undisclosed amount. Then he hoped to sell the animals that he could, and find a place for the others in the area.

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Story Book Zoo was located at 1841 West Lincoln Highway, now the location of Collision Center, an auto repair company.

If you look real carefully, you can see the ruins of the "pink house" in a stand of trees just south of there. This is the only remaining remnant of the zoo.

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Deer Greet a Child on the Boat Ride	A Happy Family

Brochure - Front

Brochure - Inside

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My Family at Story Book Zoo - 1958

Mom and Me Don't I look happy?	Sis and Me Not a happy face between us

Sis and Me Again	Finally ! A Smile !

Bear on a High Platform

* * * Return to Amusement Park Nostalgia

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Created- Fri, Aug 18, 2006
Revised-
crc1123@voicenet.com