Abandoned Bear Dens | Franklin Park Zoo | Boston, Massachusetts
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 30 сен 2024
- This video traces the history of the abandoned Franklin Park Zoo Bear Dens in Boston, Massachusetts. Additional photos are from the Leslie Jones Collection at Boston Public Library.
Filmed/Edited by Jason Allard
My website: www.UncomSenseMedia.com
Follow me on Instagram: @Uncomsense
Camera (Drone): DJI Spark Fly More Combo
Additional Camera: Canon 80D 18-105mm
Editing: Final Cut Pro X
These bear dens were constructed as a part of the original Franklin Park Zoo in 1912. There were three main bear enclosures here, and impressively, they are all still standing…although in pretty bad shape these days. However, it’s still very clear what they were used for. The original stone engraving from 1912 shows two bears holding the Boston city crest still at the back of the main enclosure.
The original Franklin Park zoo was free to the public, and the public loved it. An estimated 10,000 people showed up for the opening. When the dens were originally opened, they were home to about 15 bears, including polar bears, Siberians, browns and a black bear.
Unfortunately, the good times didn’t last here. With The Great Depression in the 1920’s and ‘30s came lower attendance and lower income… the zoo didn’t recover until the 1950's when the local government acquired the grounds. The dens had become too expensive to maintain, and in 1954 they were officially closed…and the bears were moved to some temporary housing.
In 1958 a new zoo was constructed where all the happy animals now live to this day. These bear dens were left to rot outside the perimeter of the entirely new zoo...where the iron bars, wall spikes, tree guards, and walls still remain.
Abandoned Massachusetts
Abandoned from Above
Urban Exploration
Jason Allard
New England
History
Urbex
Zoo
Franklin Park Zoo
Jamaica Plain
Drone Video
Very nicely done video. However, I was part of a small group that worked for the Boston Zoological Society in 1970/71 at which time we moved the last polar bear out of the park. The poor thing was mad, driven crazy by kids pummeling it with golf balls, city neglect, loneliness and who knows what. It was once beautiful, but for too long it was not a happy place. I would liken it to the many mental asylums in New England. Built to look beautiful on huge parcels of land, state of the art equipment, money no object, and truly the best of intentions. But sooner or later interest is lost, funding dries up and those running the places are stuck with the thankless job of trying to maintain something thats been neglected for too long. Just my opinion.
the bear crest is amazing that should be restored
it's actually going to be restored! I forgot to mention it in the video
@@JasonAllard oh that's great news, thanks for the follow-up
I was just there smoking a fat blunt 😇
I live a few minutes walk from here I really appreciate this video
baxtyr how would I find these ?
This place is so cool and has been on our list for quite a while now!! I am not a big fan of going into Boston but I guess we'll have to in order to see this gem!!! Thank you for taking us along!!! :)
Def wait to go until the summer when it's all overgrown! It makes for a better vibe. There was a way into the actual den enclosures but the city has cemented them up - they were still sealed when we visited, too. Also, if you go in the summer, you can go to JP Licks, a wiiicked good ice cream place down the road.
It’s a really beautiful place definitely worth it. I recommend looking at the before pictures before going. It’s so much cooler going shyer that
@@JasonAllard down the road j.p. licks and the zoo are miles apart
Great video. Very interesting.
Amazing video thank you for sharing, loved the history and the shots were absolutely amazing!
Hey thanks guys! I remember watching your video about the Truro base before I visited last summer. Been subbed for a while actually!
@@JasonAllard Awesome thank you for the support!
Another great video. I shared it with my dad and brother. My brother is a Boston firefighter. I wonder if he has been there.. thanks again
They’re attempting to restore the bear frieze, good place to hike.
these keep getting better and better. love your production
Great video, very informative and well produced!
Awesome job. Love your videos!
Where is this park at
That zoo has been that way since I was a kid back in the 80's.....at one point they started bringing some animals back