The Roanoker November/December 2023 - 12
Strange Days of Roanoke
Let's Do a Zoo!
written by Nelson Harris One man, a civic club and a bold idea changed Mill Mountain forever.
" Willie " was typical of the brightly-colored
exhibit spaces used in the original design
of the zoo on Mill Mountain.
I
n August 1951, Cletus Broyles, president
of the Civitan Club of Roanoke,
had a bold idea - a children's petting
zoo on Mill Mountain. Needing the
approval of the city, the Civitan Club
made a pitch to Roanoke City Council in
December of that year and received formal
approval the following month. It would become
one of the most endearing and supported civic
projects of the decade.
Work on the zoo began in the spring of
1952 with hundreds of citizens, businesses
and municipal departments engaged in the
planning and construction. All efforts were
guided by a five-man Steering Committee
chaired by Virgil Hollomon. Labor and
material were mostly donated to create the
Mother Goose-themed zoo. The idea of
12 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023
children's petting zoos tailored to nursery
rhymes had proven popular in other locations
around the nation. Roanoke's was set on
slightly less than two acres and surrounded by
a miniature railroad, informally known as the
" zoo choo, " operated by the Roanoke Jaycees.
Brightly painted exhibits housed the various
animals and birds. Billy Goat Gruff's Castle,
the Three Little Pigs' houses, Hickory Dickory
Clock, Bunnyville, Noah's Ark, a large pumpkin
and Willie the Blue Whale were a few
such spaces. Visitors were greeted by entering
through a large shoe (think " There was an old
woman who lived in a shoe " ) and then directed
past a red schoolhouse where Mary (the one
who had a little lamb) extended a warm welcome.
Admission was 10 cents.
The $100,000 zoo officially opened to the
public on July 4, 1952. Broyles, on behalf of
the Civitan Club, presented the Children's Zoo
to the City of Roanoke. While not yet fully
completed by opening day, Broyles proclaimed
it one of the finest of its kind in the country
and stated, " What you see here today represents
many hours of hard work and effort. " He
was quite right. Roanoke's Fire Chief W. M.
Mullins and members of the Fire Department
had constructed almost all of the buildings. The
Public Works Department had installed the
water lines and lighting and Rex Mitchell had
guided the promotion and publicity for the zoo
in his role as Director of Parks and Recreation.
Some labor had been provided by inmates from
the city jail, who worked alongside the members
of the Civitan Club. Roanoke Mayor A. R.
Minton accepted the zoo on behalf of the city
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The Roanoker November/December 2023
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Roanoker November/December 2023
The Roanoker November/December 2023 - Cover1
The Roanoker November/December 2023 - Cover2
The Roanoker November/December 2023 - 3
The Roanoker November/December 2023 - 4
The Roanoker November/December 2023 - 5
The Roanoker November/December 2023 - 6
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The Roanoker November/December 2023 - Cover3
The Roanoker November/December 2023 - Cover4
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