Binghamton Zoo

United States city of Binghamton is home to the Ross Park Zoo. Rich businessman Erastus Ross gave the 90 acres (36 ha) of land with the sole request that a park is created for the benefit of the entire town. Access to the park was made simple by the electric trams in the vicinity. The park also had swings, a carousel, a small train, and roller coasters. Summer events that were common were band concerts.

The park declined as a result of the Great Depression, the two World Wars, and the ease with which people could drive outside the city for amusement because of the rise in automobile use. The park eventually faced closure threats from the USDA due to exhibit quality issues.

Sadly, the Binghamton Zoo was not as well-liked as the other zoos on our list, and the zoo started to decline. However, the Southern Tier Zoological Society was established in 1966 by concerned locals. The Binghamton Zoo was handed over to the Zoological Society in 1977 when the City of Binghamton finally allocated funds for the zoo's upkeep a few years later.

Year Opened: 1875
Location: Binghamton, New York