Madera Zoo - Madera California
Posted by: 
fresgo
N 36° 57.600 W 120° 03.619
10S E 761730 N 4094474
Located in Courthouse Park Madera, CA.
Waymark Code: WM5WJT
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 02/20/2009
Views: 4
MADERA ZOO
In the year 1912 a Mr. William King Heiskell built an aviary with its first inhabitants
being a green parrot and several species of birds from around the world.
The zoo also had several ponds and water fountains, and a bandstand.
Although the Madera Zoo wasn’t full of many species of animals, there are several stories
About a famous parrot named “Polly” and a alligator named “Galahad.”
Polly was most popular for his colorful vocabulary that he learned from his miner friends and his ability to mimic them.
Galahad – a nine-foot alligator spent most of his early years in a small bathtub behind a saloon
Owned by a Mr. Glass, who used to kid with the Chinese and tell them that he was actually
A little Chinese dragon.
Polly nearly met his demise when he and another occupant of the park ( a raccoon) had
Encountered each other and the racoon’s intention was to have Polly for dinner. The racoon was banished from the park
And Polly lived his remaining years with Mr. Heiskell’s daughter.
After his death he was sent to a taxidermist, stuffed and resides in the present courthouse museum.
Dedicated by E Clampus Vitus
Grub Gulch Chapter 41-49
August 11, 2007
The
Madera Tribune described the creation and placement of the marker as such:
According to Robert Stapleton, noble grand humbug of the Grub Gulch Chapter, almost a dozen members helped with building the monument. Everything from research, rock-stacking, engraving and, of course, libations were accomplished by this group dedicated to the preservation of California history. It was the 39th Marker placed by the group in Madera County.