Mary Elitch Long
Encyclopedia
Mary Elitch Long (1850 – July 16, 1936) was one of the original owners of Elitch Gardens
in Denver, CO. She was the first woman to own and manage a zoo, that happened to be the first zoo West of Chicago. She was an author of two childrens books.
was a restauranteur that shared a dream with her for a cultural resort for the city of Denver. Bringing wild animals, flowers, plants, theatre, music, dancing, food, amusements, and families together. John Elitch made many friends in the entertainment community that he wanted to have perform on the Elitch Theatre
. He unexpectedly dies in 1891 before the parks second season. Mary assumed management and successfully ran the park. In 1897 she began the Elitch Garden Stock Company. In 1900 she married Thomas Long. In 1916 she was forced to sell Elitch Gardens
to John Mulvihill. In the agreement the park would keep the Elitch name, Mary Elitch Long would be allowed to continue living in her bungalow on the property, earning $50 a month allowance, plus two boxes at the Elitch Theatre
were always reserved for her and her friends. Thomas Long died in an automobile accident in 1920. Mary lived in the gardens until she died on July 16, 1936 at 86yrs old.
Elitch Gardens
Elitch Gardens was a family-owned seasonal amusement park, theater, and botanic garden in the West Highland neighborhood of Denver, Colorado, United States at 38th and Tennyson streets. For more than a century Elitch's was one of the most popular entertainment destinations in Colorado...
in Denver, CO. She was the first woman to own and manage a zoo, that happened to be the first zoo West of Chicago. She was an author of two childrens books.
History
Opened in 1890, Elitch Zoological Gardens offered a unique cultural experience in the west. Her first husband, John ElitchJohn Elitch
John Elitch was a restauranteur, businessman, actor, zookeeper, and original owner and namesake of Elitch Gardens and the Elitch Theatre in Denver, CO.- History :...
was a restauranteur that shared a dream with her for a cultural resort for the city of Denver. Bringing wild animals, flowers, plants, theatre, music, dancing, food, amusements, and families together. John Elitch made many friends in the entertainment community that he wanted to have perform on the Elitch Theatre
Elitch Theatre
The Historic Elitch Theatre is located at the original Elitch Gardens site in northwest Denver, Colorado. Opened in 1890 it was centerpiece of the park that was the First Zoo West of Chicago. The theatre was home to America's first, and oldest summer-stock theater from 1893 until 1987. The first...
. He unexpectedly dies in 1891 before the parks second season. Mary assumed management and successfully ran the park. In 1897 she began the Elitch Garden Stock Company. In 1900 she married Thomas Long. In 1916 she was forced to sell Elitch Gardens
Elitch Gardens
Elitch Gardens was a family-owned seasonal amusement park, theater, and botanic garden in the West Highland neighborhood of Denver, Colorado, United States at 38th and Tennyson streets. For more than a century Elitch's was one of the most popular entertainment destinations in Colorado...
to John Mulvihill. In the agreement the park would keep the Elitch name, Mary Elitch Long would be allowed to continue living in her bungalow on the property, earning $50 a month allowance, plus two boxes at the Elitch Theatre
Elitch Theatre
The Historic Elitch Theatre is located at the original Elitch Gardens site in northwest Denver, Colorado. Opened in 1890 it was centerpiece of the park that was the First Zoo West of Chicago. The theatre was home to America's first, and oldest summer-stock theater from 1893 until 1987. The first...
were always reserved for her and her friends. Thomas Long died in an automobile accident in 1920. Mary lived in the gardens until she died on July 16, 1936 at 86yrs old.