Tourist Camp
In 1921 a tourist camp was added on the northern side of the creek under the supervision of the Kalamazoo park department. Several acres of wooded land were developed to meet the needs of tourists, and gained a nation-wide reputation for excellence. Originally, the tourist camp was free. Later, however, a charge of 25 cents per day for the first three days was levied and 50 cents per day after that to discourage abuse by "squatters" who stayed there the entire summer and sponged off the city's resources. Police protection was provided during the night hours. During 1923, over 33,000 persons stayed at the camp. The majority of visitors came from surrounding states, but they also came from every state in the union and some from as far away as New Zealand and Scotland. The camp closed in 1930 because it was overrun by people who were out of work during the Depression.
Milham Park Zoo
1926 saw the beginnings of what would become a popular attraction at Milham Park...the small zoo and various other animals that roamed the property. The Joseph P. Westnedge Post, American Legion, voted to acquire two buffalo for the park. These were added to the small menagerie of peacocks, foxes, owls, swans, monkeys, raccoons, rabbits and black bears that were kept on the property. The city and the park commissioner worked diligently with the state to turn the park into a wildlife preserve, especially as a bird sanctuary. It was reported that Milham Park was ideal from the standpoint of topography, for bird culture and care. By 1927 it became necessary to construct a building large enough to house the animals and to provide heat during the winter. This animal building was expected to cost $6,000 and to be run year round.
Reptiles at the Zoo
A reptilium was added to the zoo in 1935, under the direction of 16-year-old Larry Tetzlaff, who later became widely known as "Jungle Larry," a herpetologist, lecturer, game hunter and animal show owner. He exhibited his large collection of snakes and demonstrated the milking of venom from rattlesnakes. He and his snakes moved on to the New York World's Fair in 1939, where he became the curator of reptiles.
The End of the Zoo
By the mid-1970s, however, the exhibits had dwindled to a few bears, raccoons and monkeys. Finally, only the bears were left, and they fell prey to sadistic vandals. Although most park patrons enjoyed watching the creatures, others abused the bears by throwing them lighted cigarettes when they begged for food or by throwing rocks at them. The bears often cut their paws on broken glass from bottles thrown into the pit. Peacocks were stoned to death. By 1977, only one aged lame bear was left, and he was put to sleep. Despite its sad end, the zoo provided enjoyment for park-goers for nearly half a century.
Additions to the Park
Through a generous offer from Dr. William E. Upjohn, former mayor of Kalamazoo, the city commission voted in 1929 to acquire an 80-acre tract adjoining Milham Park to the east. Dr. Upjohn had recently purchased the land from John Milham and offered the city the land at half the cost he paid for it. This property was eventually added to the nine-hole golf course that had already been developed for the park, and an additional nine holes were added to the course.
The Log Cabin at Milham Park
To commemorate the centennial of the organization of Kalamazoo County by the legislature, the Southeastern Community Club erected a two-story log cabin in Milham Park and presented it to the City of Kalamazoo in 1930. Constructed of logs and stones from each pioneer farm in the county, it was intended to serve as a museum for relics of Kalamazoo County, although it was used that way only briefly. It later housed the reptilium, and then served as a meeting place for a conservation club, and finally as a storage building. Finally, in poor condition, it was demolished in 1964.