Greetings From Washington Park

Illustrated color postcards were the early 20th century version of a text message, and scenic view of parks were a popular topic.

These postcards, such as this view of a cyclist by the Washington Park lily pond, can help tell the story of Milwaukee County Parks too.

Washington Park, originally called West Park, was one of the first land purchases by the Milwaukee Parks Commission.

Original designs for the park were developed by the firm of Frederick Law Olmsted, who were hired to also design Lake and Riverside parks.

Early features in the park included a boating lake, boathouse, stone bridges and even a six hole golf course.

Visitors could rent a row boat for 10c for each half hour.

This rustic gazebo was used as the park's first band stand. Free concerts attracted thousands of visitors.

In the 1890's a deer paddock formed the origins of the Washington Park zoo. Over the next 20 years the zoo grew as animals were donated.

By 1906 the zoo had 75 animals and it continued to grow, adding displays such as this sea lion pool.

Monkey Island was added to the zoo in 1925.

The first polar bears arrived at the zoo in 1912 and in 1919, a polar bear named Zero became the first polar bear born in captivity in North America.

In April 1921, a polar bear named Clown, managed to climb over the fence and walked through local neighborhoods.

The zoo remained at Washington Park until a new zoo location opened in 1963.