History of Brookfield Zoo Chicago in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 26, 2025

Brookfield Zoo Chicago, formerly known as Brookfield Zoo and Chicago Zoological Park, is located in Brookfield, Illinois. It is owned by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and managed by the Chicago Zoological Society. The zoo is the largest in the Chicago metropolitan area and covers 216 acres (87 ha), housing approximately 450 species of animals.

1919: Land Donation

In 1919, Edith Rockefeller McCormick donated land to the Cook County Forest Preserve District for a zoological garden.

1921: McCutcheon Becomes President

In 1921, Chicago cartoonist John T. McCutcheon became the president of the Chicago Zoological Society.

1921: Chicago Zoological Society Established

In 1921, the Chicago Zoological Society was established.

1926: Construction Begins

Construction of Brookfield Zoo began in 1926 after a zoo tax was approved.

1931: Construction Regains Momentum

By late 1931, construction of Brookfield Zoo regained momentum after slowing during the Great Depression.

July 1, 1934: Brookfield Zoo Opens

On July 1, 1934, Brookfield Zoo opened and became known for using moats and ditches instead of cages.

September 1934: Zoo Attendance Milestone

By the end of September 1934, over one million people had visited Brookfield Zoo.

1934: Reptile House Opens

In 1934, the reptile house, the first building, opened at Brookfield Zoo.

1935: Grace Olive Wiley as Reptile Curator

In 1935, Grace Olive Wiley briefly worked as a reptile curator at Brookfield Zoo.

1936: Attendance Reaches Four Million

By 1936, Brookfield Zoo had reached four million visitors.

1948: McCutcheon's Presidency Ends

In 1948, John T. McCutcheon's presidency of the Chicago Zoological Society ended.

August 1953: Children's Zoo Opens

In August 1953, the Children's Zoo opened.

1960: First Indoor Dolphin Exhibit

In 1960, Brookfield Zoo opened the first fully indoor bottlenose dolphin exhibit in the United States.

1976: George B. Rabb Becomes Director

In 1976, George B. Rabb became the director of Brookfield Zoo.

1984: Tropic World Completed

In 1984, Tropic World, an indoor simulated tropical rainforest exhibit designed by French architect Pierre Venoa, was completed at Brookfield Zoo.

1996: Gorilla Saves Boy

In 1996, a 3-year-old boy was injured after falling into an enclosure within Tropic World. Binti Jua, a female western lowland gorilla, tended to the child until zoo staff rescued him.

2003: George B. Rabb Leaves Director Position

In 2003, George B. Rabb left his position as director of Brookfield Zoo.

2005: Reptile House Closes

In 2005, the reptile house at Brookfield Zoo closed and was converted into the Mary Ann McLean Conservation Leadership Center.

September 14, 2008: Zoo Closed Due to Rainstorm Damage

On September 14, 2008, Brookfield Zoo was closed after damage from a weekend rainstorm.

2010: State Grant for Repairs and Remodeling

In 2010, Governor Pat Quinn granted Brookfield Zoo Chicago $15.6 million to aid in repairing and remodeling parts of the zoo, including updating the north entrance.

2010: Great Bear Wilderness Opens

In 2010, Great Bear Wilderness, a $27.3 million exhibit for grizzly and polar bears, opened at Brookfield Zoo Chicago.

February 2, 2011: Zoo Closed Due to Blizzard

On February 2, 2011, Brookfield Zoo was closed after a major blizzard.

2011: Protests over Elephant Deaths

In 2011, Brookfield Zoo faced protests from In Defense of Animals over the deaths of their African elephants.

2013: Zoo Closed Due to Flooding

In 2013, April 18-19, Brookfield Zoo was closed due to flooding from a severe rainstorm.

2013: Children's Zoo Dismantled

In early 2013, the Children's Zoo was dismantled.

2014: Brookfield Zoo Revenue and Expenses

In 2014, Brookfield Zoo Chicago had a revenue of $66 million and expenses of $63.8 million, with major income from admissions, taxes, membership dues, and contributions.