The 105th Anniversary of Lansing's Potter Park Zoo: 1920-2025

Potter Park Zoo celebrates 105 years in 2025!

When I was in grade school OH SO MANY YEARS AGO, we took a field trip to the zoo...what a great time the class had (okay, the zoo was only about 40 years old at the time)!

More than likely, you've paid a visit - or more - to Potter Park Zoo...but now you can learn a little something about it.

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Even though 2025 is the zoo's official 105th anniversary, it had it's beginnings ten years earlier. In 1910, James W. Potter donated 58 acres of land along the Red Cedar River with the intention it would be made into a public park. In 1917, an extra 27 acres were added when he deeded extra land to the city.

The first animals to be transferred to the park were elk in 1920, thus beginning a snowball effect. Soon there were deer, raccoons, a bear and more and more animals, eventually turning the park into a zoo.

Others began donating more land, including Sophie Turner, who donated 17 more acres in 1927, giving it a total of 102.

The Bird & Reptile House was completed in 1929, followed in the 1930s by the Lion House and Monkey Island (or 'Mountain', as some have called it).

Whatever Happened to Tombi the Elephant?

More animals and construction came and went, and in 1972, Bingo the Elephant arrived. When Bingo passed away in 1979, a new elephant was brought in: Tombi, who possibly became the zoo's most famous resident. Tombi was relocated to the Indianapolis Zoo in 1989. According to the elephant website, Tombi is alive and well in 2025 and living with a herd.

These facts are just a tip of the iceberg of what made Potter Park what it is now 105 years later.

Scroll down to see some photos, then check out Potter Park Zoo's events on their website by CLICKING HERE.