Site of old zoo/amusement park/zoo

[Monty]

Those of you who have been on the forum for a while will remember I did some hunting at this site last spring and didn't find much of anything.? It was opened in 1909 and attracted crowds from a hundred mile area at one time.? All but the lake and a small parcel of ground was turned into a housing addition several years ago.? Anyway the foundation of the old bath house still remains and I was running my ACE250 along the edge of the foundatin when I got a solid hit.? I? dug down 6" expecting rusted iron and came up with what looks like a solid brass saddle cinch. (Picture posted under What Is It).? The area where it was found would have been beneath the wooden deck of a pier leading out to the swimming diving area. How it got there?? Anyway,? when I first hunted this area I didn't have much experience so as I was only there less than an hour this trip I think it bears going back over.? I am working on getting permission to hunt the shallow water along the old simming beach.? The little park and lake now belongs to the City and is posted no swimming or wading.? I'm pretty sure I will be exempt by working with the curator of the City museum who is an old high school classmate.?This photo was taken in the 1920s of the main entrance. Monty

 

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[Monty]

Sorry so big! This is the beach diving area taken in about 1935.? It was probably taken from the bath house where I found the saddle cinch. The second pic is part of the beach itself taken in 1939. The woman's two piece bathing suit was pretty daring for the time and I'll bet it caused quite a stir! Monty

 

[rasrandy]

Looks like a promising site and good luck swinging.
That lady should put some clothes on lol

 

[Huntin' 59er]

Monty, I enjoyed the story and the pics. Good Luck at this site and keep us posted.

Huntin' 59er

 

[kermit]

Looks like some good hunting Monty. You know people had to of lost some cool stuff around the area of that beach.


Good luck keep us posted

 

[schlooppy]

Good luck on the site. Let us know what comes of it.

 

[mchamby]

Looks like a great place to use a water detector, hopefully your friend will be able to give you permission and you find a little bling bling.
Mchamby

 

[Burdie]

Nice Post Monty. Looks very promising. Hope you find some goodies. Burdie

 

[Nana40]

Great pictures!

Good luck Monty!!

 

[Michigan Badger]

Good story and the site definitely has potential.

I know of a similar site in Michigan but I'll bet that sucker has been hunted so many times they probably have a permanent vendor on site selling batteries.

HH

 

[Monty]

This site has not been water searched. The City has allowed no one in there and it was fenced with a 10' fence and locked up tight for years until the housing addition went in and the City rebuilt the remaining part of the park. It does have a lot of backfill. That's what I think is causing trouble finding anything as the bling on shore is probably two feet down. I plan to hunt and rehunt around the old bath/boathouse at my leisure until I find out about permission to hunt the water.

 

[rvbvetter]

Looks like a lot of potential. From where the diving platform is located, it looks like once in the water it gets deep fast. Be careful and good luck. HH

 

[Mona Lisa]

Great research brings great finds. It looks like it could be a gold mine!

 

[hollowpointred]

there should be some great old coins in that water! you are probably right about the good stuff being two feet deep on land. ill bet it is still there though. good luck hunting this place. i cant wait to hear about what you come up with. i think you are on to a winner with this one!

 

[trk5capt]

Monty, Looks Like a Good site, Good Luck. Have an Old War Buddy in Del City OK. any Where nere There?? trk5capt...

 

[civilman1]

Does look promising Monty..keep us posted.good luck and HH

 

[slotman]

Thanks for the pics, hunt the water! hunt the water!

 

[Southcacalaky]

Hope you do well, HH Art...

 

[ZumbroKid]

Time will tell what this spot holds. As old as it is, might be a gold coin there.

 

[Bavaria Mike]

Nice site, must be a few nice finds there. Good luck and HH, Mike