🐾 Did You Know? Apache Junction was home to Arizona’s first licensed zoo! In 1923, George Cleveland Curtis, founder of Apache Junction, opened the state’s first public zoo near the crossroads of Apache Trail (SR 88) and U.S. Highway 60. The zoo began with a single chimpanzee, Jimmie, and grew into an impressive collection of animals, including mountain lions, mule deer, ringtail cats, and even exotic creatures like ostriches and cobras. For 32 years, the Apache Junction Zoo was a beloved attraction. It initially was free but eventually started charging just a dime for admission to help care for the animals. Sadly, the zoo closed in 1955 after a devastating flash flood. While only photographs remain today, its legacy lives on as an integral part of Apache Junction’s history. Let’s honor this unique piece of our past and the memories of a truly remarkable landmark. 🦁🐺 Read more about the history of this zoo at: ajpl.org/arizonas-first-zoo/#:~:text=The%20Arizona%20Game%...