Historic

Scarborough Pond and Carriage Bridge.jpg

This manmade pond was completed in 1893.

The Overlook.JPG

Spectators could look down on activity in the Playstead from the 800 foot long Overlook Shelter, made from Roxbury puddingstone. The building may be one of the only structures designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.

sheep in great meadow.jpg

Refrectory.jpg

No longer standing, the old Refrectory was a place to buy food and at different times also served as a library and a home for children with tuberculosis.

Lover's Leap in Franklin Park.jpg

The rock face next to the old stone driving bridge traversing Scarboro Pond was known as "Lover's Leap."

Ellicott Arch below Circuit Drive.jpg

This classic Olmsted feature is near the Williams Street entrance to the Park.

Ellicott House.jpg

Opened in June 1895, Ellicott House was designed as a changing room for tennis players and located near the Williams Street Entrance and the lawn tennis courts. It is not known when the stone building was torn down by the city.

The 99 Steps in the Wilderness.jpg

The Steps were completed in 1892.

Lawn tennis courts.jpg

Sargent's Tower in Franklin Park Zoo.jpg

This stone tower was part of an estate that existed before Franklin Park was built.

golf house.jpg

Franklin Park's golf course is the second oldest public couse in the U.S. The old sheep meadow upon which the golf course now stands was the first place that a golf club was ever swung in this country.

Main entrance franklin park zoo.jpg

The collonade was brought from the Customs House downtown and was never meant for outdoor exposure. As a result, the marble features crumbled and were removed in spring 2007 because they became a public safety hazard. The historic wrought iron fence and gates have been restored.

The Healing Spring.jpg

Stone water fountain at Mother's Rest near the Blue Hill Avenue and American Legion Highway corner of the park, known as the Wales Street Entrance. The fountain was installed sometime between 1909-11. At first it was spring fed, but the water quality was determined to be unsafe a few years later.

Elephants bathing.jpg

Thousands rode the Blue Hill Avenue trolleys on weekends to the Zoo during the first half of the 1900s. The exhibits were spread over a larger area than today and were free to the public.