Little did he realize he had found a gemwho in two years time would be running the place. When his heart finally stopped, she wrote, I tell myself over and over that we were lucky to have had him so long; that I have no right to feel as I do; but I find myself dreading to go by that cage . } When he fell ill, she would spend evenings with him, holding his hand and comforting him. The events of the twelve-day cross-country drive are difficult to decipher outside of what Smith revealed to journalists and The Boss Lady. He did not keep a journal, so Lynda Rutledge takes creative license to fill in the blanks for us. Find Giraffe Patches stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. When she announced her retirement to the zoo board, they strongly protested. One of the gorillas, Albert, would become the father of the zoos first baby gorilla (Alvila) born in San Diego in 1965. But by 1925 there were reportedly only five giraffes in the entire country. 20-23. https://issuu.com/sdzglobal/docs/march_zn, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), https://sandiegohistory.org/archives/biographysubject/benchley/, http://library.sandiegozoo.org/history.htm, https://web.archive.org/web/20180921120432/http://womensmuseumca.org/hall-of-fame/belle-benchley, https://issuu.com/sdzglobal/docs/zoonooz_november_2015, https://issuu.com/sdzglobal/docs/janzoonooz/27, https://issuu.com/sdzglobal/docs/march_zn, West with giraffes Zoo Walks Through History, 1925: Benchley hired as temporary bookkeeper, 1927: Ellen Browning Scripps Hospital and Biological Research Institute built (first zoo veterinary hospital); Benchley named executive secretary of the zoo, 1928: Young orangutans Maggie and Mike arrive from Asia; 30 tortoises arrive from the Galapagos Islands (some of which still live at the zoo! First giraffes arrived at San Diego Zoo by truck in 1938, Lofty and Patches grew to become nationwide figures, Adidas ends partnership with Kanye West over offensive, antisemitic remarks, Drive-by shooter strikes downtown San Diego homeless shelter, Biden administration to renew development of taller border barrier at Friendship Park, Reality? This attention, the time for which had to be borrowed from their all too few leisure hours, touched me deeply because it showed that I had won a place with them not based on relationship of boss and employee, but upon friendship and confidence, she reminisced in her memoir. In 1925 when Dr. Harry Wegeforth realized that, as a full-time surgeon, his responsibilities as president of the San Diego Zoo were piling up, he hired a former teacher and single mother, Belle Benchley, as a temporary bookkeeper to help him handle the day-to-day operations. He ends up driving a truck on a twelve-day road trip to Southern California taking the two giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. Timeline of Events. What happened on that ship during the storm is almost too crazy to be true. San Diego, CA: Zoological Society of San Diego. Close-up of a giraffe's eye at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Belle would arrive every day extra early so that she could sit with Mickey and feed her breakfast. salaire d'un enseignant du primaire au cameroun; urgent care in cambridge ohio. Your purchases support the wildlife conservation and education efforts of the not-for-profit San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. float: left Another indication that Benchley was loved by the zoo staff came in 1933 when she found herself in the hospital for eleven weeks following an auto accident. Currently, a majority of individuals outside of the wild are in zoos in Europe, North America, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. He is so large and strong that he could knock down and beat me to death with his great wings. Senator from S.D. } Wegeforth taught Benchley not to be shy when asking for donations. I want to confirm my idea that Woody was the father of little Augie, who was the one who received his foot locker after his death with the porcelain gifaffe. They find it in two giraffes who miraculously survive a hurricane while crossing the Atlantic. You might as well run the place, he told her, youre already doing it anyway. From that day on, Belle Benchley (The Zoo Lady) became a household name in San Diego. 1938 hurricane giraffes. However, from Benchleys 1941 memoir it is obvious that Smith did not update her as much as she would have preferred. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), his wish for giraffes at the National Zoo, https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/ship/3298.html, https://library.sandiegozoo.org/sdzg-history-timeline/#1930, http://timeline.sandiegozoo100.org/1930/1930-3/, https://www.sandiegozoo100.org/100-animals/lofty-and-patches, https://www.sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org/timeline/1938/1938/, https://issuu.com/sdzglobal/docs/march_zn. .pf-button-img { By 1932, the zoo owed $6,000 in back taxes. } She picked Harry Wegeforths brain as much as she could to get a sense of his plans and ideas for a rapidly growing, already well-respected zoo. After Wegeforth and Benchley continued to fight for their exempt status (as they leased and did not own the property), the assessors finally backed down. He tried alfalfa and molasses. That same year, to Belles extreme delightand after she had written many letters, made numerous phone calls, and had her hopes raised only to be disappointed several times before her efforts paid off the zoo obtained three baby gorillas. wickes bonding plasterwhat happens if a hospital loses joint commission accreditation. ship I am getting all chocked up and tearing ..I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH ! San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. After all, I brought a lot of people working here up from pups, and saw to it that they learned their lessons well. She also knew the zoo would be in capable hands with Dr. Charles Schroeder, long-time zoo veterinarian, at the helm. San Diego Zoo Pictures: View Photos & Images of San Diego Zoo. It is one of my favorite books I have read in my 84 1/2 yrs. San Diego History Center. Thank you! Two weeks ago last night, Smith, the giraffes and Eddie Seuss, mechanic, started the trek westward, the animals heads sticking out of the top of the crates and astounding motorists from ocean to ocean wondering if they saw it, really. Giraffes Will Ride in Truck to California. Miami Herald (September 25, 1938): 4. margin: 0; I have been recommending it to everyone! The keepers and other staff members would visit her daily; [s]ometimes as many as eight would come during the same day or evening, she recalled. C Carole Levy 47 followers More information Giraffe Transport The Incredible True Story Amazing Things March Book Dust Bowl By Ruth Taunton. That trick was right out of Dr. Harrys playbook. One woman was so inspired by My Life in a Man-Made Jungle that during the zookeeper shortage brought on by World War II, a woman named Georgia Dittoe moved from Los Angeles to become San Diegos first female zookeeper and help out with Benchleys amazing zoo. Lofty and Patches lived at the San Diego Zoo for nearly 30 years and had seven offspring, including Raffy, D-Day (born June 6, 1946), Rusty, Patty and Lofty Jr. From The San Diego Union,. Lofty and Patches lived at the San Diego Zoo for nearly 30 years and had seven offspring, including Raffy, D-Day (born June 6, 1946), Rusty, Patty, and Lofty Jr. From the San Diego Union, Wednesday, October 26, 1938: Those spots before your eyes, reader, are a symptom of Galloping Giraffe-itis. When Belle retired on December 10, 1953, San Diego city and county officials designated it Belle Benchley Day. About 800 people attended her retirement dinner, at the end of which she was presented with the gift of a three-month trip around the world. That is when he locks eyes with the giraffes (Boy and Girl). Another animal that attached herself immediately was Mickey the Bairds tapir, who arrived in 1934 from Ecuador, extremely homesick and refusing to eat. Find Benchley stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. Born in 1882, Belle Jennings moved from rural Kansas to the San Diego areawith her family when she was five years old. By this time, the hurricane giraffes had made national headlines. Of course, I knew your zoo history background already, so I was delighted to see your additions to this beautiful story. After crossing the Atlantic Ocean through a terrible hurricane, "Lofty" and "Patches" were driven across the United States to avoid the stress of transport by train. Three turquoise spots can also be seen, one on the right cheek, I found myself looking up the giraffes Lofty and Patches and found this photo online. One of the aspects of the novel I enjoyed the most was the depiction of Belle Benchleysweet but tough, and highly respected. The back legs look shorter than the front legs, but they are about the same length. Access Locations: Stephen A. Schwarzman Building; New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center; Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture; Sweet memories. I dont want this story to evaporate from my memory. But in many ways, the San Diego Zoo had been built on risk taking, and Dr. Harry Wegeforth, the zoos former director and then Belle Benchleys right-hand man, was darn good at fundraising. I cannot keep from pitying him, for to know animals is to love them. First imports to Europe: France 1826; England 1927 (Mitchell 2009), 19 June 1839: First giraffe in England or Europe to be born in managed care; only lived 9 days (Mitchell 2009). . Melman from Madagascar. The peculiar travelers were a sensation everywhere they wentand their story provided some much-needed humor and enjoyment for a nation still struggling from the Depression. Orphaned during the Dust Bowl, he found his way to New York to work for a distant cousin. One man's crazy idea, to be specific, with a few animals and very little public support. In 1946, the zoo acquired an exotic species of antelopethe bontebokconsidered extinct in the wild. First pair of giraffes, "Lofty" and "Patches," arrive at the Zoo in 1938 (see photo, right). (2003)Lackey and LaRue (1997)Mitchell (2009)Ritter (1998). An emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression era America Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away But when he learns giraffes are going extinct, he finds himself recalling the unforgettable experience he cannot ta An emotional, rousing . If You Are Interested To Know More About San Diego, San Francisco and Latest Local News Then In This Website You Will Also Find San Diego, San Francisco and Latest Local News. One story about the Zoo that was told in newspapers nationwide was the travels of Lofty and Patches, the Zoos first giraffes. Facebook Instagram. The crates holding giraffes Lofty and Patches are loaded . Rutledge, Lynda. On top of all her responsibilities, somehow she found time to bring the San Diego Zoo to homes nationwide through her extremely popular books. } This was on his retirement day. Wendy Eckart. Benchley believed that her proudest moment as zoo director was the acquisition of gorillas Mbongo and Ngagi in 1931. Lofty and Patches lived at the San Diego Zoo for nearly 30 years. . The giraffes, probably only a few years old, were met at the Brooklyn dock by the San Diego Zoos head keeper Charley Smith (Riley Jones and Old Man in the novel) and city truck driver Ed Seuss (Earl). My Friends, the Apes. } Completed with cement floors in 1921 with funds from the City Council. -webkit-box-shadow: none; . A few years later the zoo pleaded for the city voters to approve a small tax to help support the zoo. There were many reasons giraffes were hard to come by for Americas first zoos. You may not recognize that you have it until the animal makes you awareby the nature of his responsethat a bond of confidence exists between you. . I absolutely loved this book. Smith spent a few days easing her into the crate while attempting not to spook her, and getting kicked in return. On board the ship were some unique passengers: two Giraffes. Theyve seen the world. Upon hearing that the giraffes were bound for San Diego, Woody became determined to follow them to the land of milk and honey and begin a new life. They by no means have stored home collectively earlier than, and simply o be sure that they dont kick the daylights out of one anotherand make the Zoos $7500 funding value not more than the present citation on lifeless giraffesthe animals have been proven to separate residences in the interim. There is no real bluffing and nothing underhanded between Charley Smith and me nor is there between any of us; we are all working for one end, here in the Zoo, though perhaps by different methods. } Get top headlines from the Union-Tribune in your inbox weekday mornings, including top news, local, sports, business, entertainment and opinion. .printfriendly { the pillow bar down alternative side sleeper md; allegheny college lacrosse The director of the zoo tells Old Man, Any friend of Mrs. Benchley is welcome here.. I seldom read books more than once, but this one I will return to again in the future! Im so glad you enjoyed it! Two African giraffes, who barely survive the 1938 Hurricane while crossing the Atlantic, make it to New York City. When in 1927 Wegeforth was looking for a new zoo director, he and the zoo board decided to follow the model of the London Zoo by hiring an executive secretary instead of a director. Dr. Harry knew exactly who he wanted for the job, even though hiring a female leader had never been done before . On board the ship were some unique passengers: two Giraffes.. He unties my shoe laces without touching a thread of my silk stockings. However, as soon as she was upright the crew could see that her left rear ankle was severely injured. Tall Blondes: A Book about Giraffes. All rights reserved. 46 BC: A giraffe - a gift from Cleopatra - was displayed by Caesar in games held that year (Mitchell 2009). https://zoohistories.com/2021/02/11/west-with-giraffes/. As the truck finally reached the San Diego Zoo entrance on October 17, 1938, the nearly unthinkable had been accomplished. Upon discovering that two of the passengers were giraffes, a whole new set of stories quickly developed. According to Benchley, Our relations as Boss and Man-Friday are ludicrously funny, and when he thinks he is working for me I am overjoyed. Perhaps you will fall in love with those giraffes and enjoy the adventures of Old Man and Woody as much as I did. 100 Years of the San Diego Zoo. 3rd ed. Her fictional account follows the giraffe truck across the Lee Highway and illustrates the scenes of America in 1938. She was now able to take that vacation that eluded her during her hard-working zoo years. Or a easy dream? This is the story of how they got there. It touched me more deeply than anything Ive read in years!! I headed to San Diego and their new zoo, where Id heard that the animals get treated better than the people. Recently, one particular work of historical fiction captured my interestthe fact that the title contained the word giraffes certainly helped, but upon reading the description I discovered that its based on actual events revolving around the San Diego Zoo in 1938. They are here! Benchley, Belle J. she was such a sweet grandmotherly type. In her letter, she touted San Diego as the perfect place for their gorillaswarm climate, year-round outdoor habitats, fresh fruits and vegetables, an impressive animal longevity record, one of the only zoo hospitals in the country, not to mention the best care team and medical staff. the name of the author is . Early 1800s: First giraffes arrived in Europe as gifts to various leaders. Benchley was devastated when Mbongo, her lovable clown, died in 1942 of a fungal infection. He would serve as director for the next nineteen years. Charles A. Smith, head keeper at the zoo, was putting in that time devising ways and means of getting them into crates and on to a San Diego city truck for the last lap home. Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. He tried alfalfa and molasses. where is the serial number on vera bradley luggage. Lofty and Patches became national figures when they made the last lap of the journey from south eastern Africa a transcontinental trip from New York by truck.. Lofty and Patches lived at the San Diego Zoo for nearly 30 years and had seven offspring, including Raffy, D-Day (born June 6, 1946 . Benchley, Belle. Select from premium Giraffe Patches of the highest quality. .printfriendly.pf-aligncenter { The Results Are In! Lofty and Patches lived on the San Diego Zoo for almost 30 years and had seven offspring, together with Raffy, D-Day (born June 6, 1946), Rusty, Patty and Lofty Jr. From The San Diego Union, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 1938: These Spots Earlier than Your eyes, Reader, Are Symptom of Galloping Giraffe-itis By Ruth Taunton Giraffes! The sage grouse will be the first species to go. In October 1938 the primary breeding pair of giraffes arrived on the San Diego Zoo from east Africa. Benchley didnt become a stranger to the zoo. document.documentElement.classList.add( Browse all issues of Life Magazine in full color and search the full text through Google Books. . They were finally able to leave quarantine on October 10, 1938. html:not( .jetpack-lazy-images-js-enabled ):not( .js ) .jetpack-lazy-image { . Stephenson, Lynda Rutledge. View Giraffe (9).docx from BIOL 101 at University of the People. Centennial Timeline. img.pf-button-img + .pf-button-text { Animals discern it first. In 1938, America was looking for a feel-good tale to help them through the threat of Hitler in Europe and the continuing Great Depression. Staff would often sneak in some of the animals when visiting herbaby foxes, binturongs, and other small mammals . Henry, lets go check your car, she said. First pair of zoo-born lion cubs are sold to the city of Seattle. } Reporters in the cities and towns theywent through wrote amusing anecdotes about seeing them on the road, the giraffes peering out of their tall windows at the scenery and cars around them. "Gawky Giraffes to Leave Athenia Today for Coast." Paterson (N.J.) News (October 10, 1938): 35. Imagine waves so severe that a rhino is tossed overboard. -moz-box-shadow: none; 525 AD: A giraffe was one of an Ethiopian king's pets, according to a written report. What a delightful story! Get Essential San Diego, weekday mornings. When, finally, I can bear the silence no longer, I let him know that I must have news. Image credit: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. I did some research too and found a website that gave me an idea of what the two crates looked like. (Side note: these events occurred one year after young Nicky Arundel got his wish for giraffes at the National Zoo.). San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance scientists are working with Kenyan pastoralists to protect wild giraffes. Lofty and Patches lived at the San Diego Zoo for nearly 30 years and had seven offspring, including Raffy, D-Day (born June 6, 1946), Rusty, Patty, and Lofty Jr. From the San Diego Union, Wednesday, October 26, 1938: Those spots before your eyes, reader, are a symptom of Galloping Giraffe-itis. Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1942. Is there any talk of turning this into a movie? In 1906 she married William Benchley, with whom she had one child, Edward; she spent the next seventeen years in Fullerton, California, as a wife and mother. Ken Stott, zoo curator and historian, Belle had many, many more animal friends on the zoo grounds. Lofty and Patches became national figures when Read more on sandiegouniontribune.com San Diego Zoo Africa San Diego Things To Do Giraffes