New Mexico’s Alameda Park Zoo Is One Of The Oldest Zoos In The Southwest
It just might be history that makes New Mexico so enchanting. The state is home to some of the oldest places in the country: the oldest continuously inhabited settlement, the oldest house, the oldest church. Another designation to add to that list? New Mexico is also home to one of the oldest zoos in the Southwest.
Founded in 1898, the Alameda Park Zoo in Alamogordo has staked its claim as the oldest zoo in the Southwest.
While it certainly is the oldest in the state, depending on your definition of the United States' southwestern region, zoos in Dallas and Denver may have Alameda Park Zoo beat by just a couple years. However, we prefer the definition of the Southwest as Arizona, New Mexico, and the lower portions of Utah and Colorado, which makes this zoo the oldest of the region.
Over time, this entertainment stop slowly grew and accumulated more animals into a small but fully-fledged zoo.
In the early days, locals donated animals for modest exhibits. Today, however, the zoo covers 12 acres and is home to approximately 200 local and exotic animals.
The animals you'll find living on the zoo grounds are wide and varied.
The zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed on Christmas and New Year’s. For details about special hours, admission rates, and more, be sure to visit the zoo’s website or Facebook page.
Monica is a Diné (Navajo) freelance writer and photographer based in the Southwest. Born in Gallup and raised in Phoenix, she is Tódich'ii'nii (Bitter Water People) and Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). Monica is a staff writer for Only In Your State, photo editor for The Mesa Legend, and previously a staff writer for The Navajo Post. You can reach her at monica.d.spencer@gmail.com.
