Boston’s Franklin Park Zoo has been around since 1912, and it has a hidden history. Tucked away in a forgotten section of the park, fierce creatures were once kept on display. Read on to find out about one of the most fascinating and haunting secret sites in Massachusetts.

When the park first opened, it was a huge hit. People flocked to see the zoo's wild bears.
Flickr/Brian Foust
A grand staircase led through an elegant courtyard to the massive bear dens.
Flickr/Chris Hartman

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The bears were kept in a large, stone enclosure. They would roam freely around their open-air cages.
Flickr/Linden Tea
However, zoo attendance declined in the 1930s. The attraction was closed in 1954.
Flickr/Brian Foust
Rather than tear the cages down, the zoo let them slowly decay.
Flickr/Linden Foust

Today, the bear cages are overgrown. The large stone sculptures of bears remain, and are one of the most striking features of this spot.

The bear cages were featured in the popular 2003 crime movie “Mystic River,” where a Boston murder victim is found at the bottom of one of the bear pits.

Check out some footage of the abandoned bear cages below. If you’re interested in hidden spots in the forests of Massachusetts, take a look at this incredible secret Massachusetts train tunnel.

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