Going to the Zoo, How about you !

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Blackpool Zoo and the site on which it stands has had a long and varied history. Before the zoo was built, the site was actually an airport. Later it became home for the Royal Lancashire Show before eventually becoming a zoo in 1972. In 1931 - The site of what is now Blackpool Zoo is opened as Blackpool Municipal Airport. In 1939 - The site becomes Stanley Park Aerodrome. World War II breaks out on September 3rd and the aerodrome is requisitioned as an RAF parachute training centre. After the war finishes the site would never be reopened for flying. The famous pilot, Amy Johnson, is also known to have flown from this site. In 1945 - After the airport closes, Blackpool Borough Council takes over the site and the buildings become a storage facility for the council, including the illuminations and the promenade deckchairs. 

1953 - The Royal Lancashire Show, England 's oldest county agricultural show settles on the Stanley Park Aerodrome site in this year and remains until 1972 when it moves to a new site at Ribby Hall, Wrea Green to make way for the development of a zoo. In 1962 - A proposal to build zoological gardens on the Stanley Park site is first suggested when a corporation subcommittee has meetings with Mr.N.Farrar, director of Southport Zoo. In 1969 - The Blackpool Tower Zoo closes down; the council decide the resort should have a zoological collection. Other suggestions: horseracing track, a Formula 1 circuit, a Disney World. The latter suggestion, about to be developed but it is stopped due to pressure from other attractions in the town. In 1972 - 10 years have elapsed before the zoo finally opens on July 6th of this year, on a very wet day by Mr. Johnny Morris of T.V. Animal Magic fame. He opens the zoo riding on an elephant accompanied by the Mayor who rides in a Rolls Royce. The first zoo director is Mr Cyril Grace, manager of Dudley Zoo.

More information from http://www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk/ which is where the above was obtained.





















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