Mary Elitch Hauck Long

Mary Hauk Elitch Long
Businesswoman
1856 - 1936
INDUCTED 1996

Mary Elitch Long built Elitch Gardens after eloping and moving to Denver with husband John. Her legacy endures in the memories of countless Denverites who enjoyed riding the merry-go-round, roller coaster, and other attractions.

Mary Hauk eloped with John Elitch, Jr. when she was 16. After moving to Denver, the couple bought property to build an amusement park and zoo, complete with a theater, lush gardens, and exotic animals. Elitch’s Zoological Gardens opened in 1890—Denver’s first zoo and the only zoo west of Chicago. After John Elitch died, Mary ran the business until she sold the park in 1916. Mary lived in the gardens until she died in1936, and the park lived on for decades.

“It is possible through kindness to develop an understanding and friendship, if not a love, with almost any animal, however wild its natural instinct may be.” — Mary Elitch Long