Privately owned, makeshift zoos have been thrust into the limelight with eccentric characters like Joe Exotic the “Tiger King” and his nemesis, Carole Baskin, dominating pop culture. But paying to interact with dangerous animals in shockingly unregulated environments is not exactly new. Welcome to the California Alligator Farm: A rather terrifying tourist attraction that opened in Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles, in 1907. 

While this isn’t the first time we’ve seen animals do the unexpected, the California Alligator Farm is a testament to America’s past – when things got a little wild from time to time…

Meet “Alligator Joe” Campbell

California’s alligator farms were founded by alligator king, “Alligator Joe” Campbell, and Francis Earnest, the man who owned an Ostrich Farm across the street. The price of admission? Just 25 cents!

“Alligator Joe” initially set up shop down south in Hot Springs, Arkansas. But when the bright lights of L.A. – and its hot bed of tourism – were too tempting to pass up, he loaded his gators on a train and headed West. 

In Lincoln Heights, Campbell’s impressive roster of nearly a thousand reptiles became the most complete reptile collection in the world. Over 13,000 visitors soaked in those scales every year. 

A Day at the Farm 

A typical visit to the Alligator Farm included men, women, and young children feeding, touching and even riding alligators. The alligators’ size ranged anywhere from between a few inches and 13 feet in size. 

Visitors could even buy the smaller alligators to take home!

At the nudging of the handlers, the alligators performed for the crowd. The alligators ate live chickens, rode down slides and wrestled with “trainers.” You could even visit the movie star alligator, Billy, who cameoed in various films from 1910-1940. Billy’s “star quality” came from his ability to open his jaw wide whenever meat dangled off-camera. 

Billy was the oldest reptile in the park. Because of this, he had been domesticated enough to wear a saddle that parents gladly placed their children on for a slithery ride.

There’s No Way This Ended Well, Right?

Correct. But not for the reasons you’re thinking!

Yes, it was risky to buy two acres for an alligator farm that was equipped with an incubator house – and then opening said alligator farm to children. But no serious accidents or lawsuits were responsible for the California Alligator Farm’s closure. It was actually poor attendance!

In 1953, tourists started to kse interest. The farm was relocated from LA to Buena Park, California, before closing for good in 1984. 

Even though it shut down, the park has remained a staple of Los Angeles history. Long live the days when you could put alligators on trains, ship them across the country and have people pay to hang out in pools with them. Yikes!

The post California’s Alligator Farms of the 1900s first appeared on History In Memes.

Everyone knows the iconic “Hollywood” sign resting on the Hollywood mountains in Los Angeles, California as a hopeful, guiding light for those seeking success, fame and fortune. But just like everything (or rather everyone) in Hollywood – it’s had some tune ups and rebranding over the years. Most shocking, the sign originally read “Hollywood Land!” So why did they change the name? And what nicknames came out of the Hollywood sign’s original name?

A-listers and rising stars have long gravitated toward the alluring lights of Hollywood. And one of the most iconic and recognizable features of this town is the “Hollywood” sign, letting everyone know you have entered the land of talent and endless dreams. 

“Hollywood Land”: An Origin Story

When the sign was first put up in 1923, almost 100 years ago, it originally read “HollywoodLand.” Interestingly enough, the sign was intended to be an advertisement for real estate investors and was only meant to be up for 18 months.

It wasn’t until 1949 when the last four letters, “land,” were torn down to reflect the Hollywood area we all know and love – not just represent the one housing development. Now, the sign just reads “Hollywood.”

It’s interesting to see how something as iconic as that sign has been through so many transitions throughout the years. Nowadays, we can’t even imagine that sign reading “Hollywood Land.” This is probably the same way people back in the 1920s couldn’t imagine the last four letters being torn down.

It’s always fascinating to see the roots and background of landmarks. It reminds us that things evolve to fit the times and also opens our eyes to look back in history to see what other iconic landmarks, figures, and things have changed to being what we all know and love today.

Check out the full timeline and history of the Hollywood sign here!

The post Why Did They Change the Original “Hollywood” Sign? first appeared on History In Memes.