Abandoned Bear Dens | Franklin Park Zoo | Boston, Massachusetts

This video traces the history of the abandoned Franklin Park Zoo Bear Dens in Boston, Massachusetts. Additional photos are from the Leslie Jones Collection at Boston Public Library.

Filmed/Edited by Jason Allard
My website: www.UncomSenseMedia.com
Follow me on Instagram: @Uncomsense

Camera (Drone): DJI Spark Fly More Combo
Additional Camera: Canon 80D 18-105mm
Editing: Final Cut Pro X

These bear dens were constructed as a part of the original Franklin Park Zoo in 1912. There were three main bear enclosures here, and impressively, they are all still standing…although in pretty bad shape these days. However, it’s still very clear what they were used for. The original stone engraving from 1912 shows two bears holding the Boston city crest still at the back of the main enclosure.

The original Franklin Park zoo was free to the public, and the public loved it. An estimated 10,000 people showed up for the opening. When the dens were originally opened, they were home to about 15 bears, including polar bears, Siberians, browns and a black bear.

Unfortunately, the good times didn’t last here. With The Great Depression in the 1920’s and ‘30s came lower attendance and lower income… the zoo didn’t recover until the 1950's when the local government acquired the grounds. The dens had become too expensive to maintain, and in 1954 they were officially closed…and the bears were moved to some temporary housing.

In 1958 a new zoo was constructed where all the happy animals now live to this day. These bear dens were left to rot outside the perimeter of the entirely new zoo...where the iron bars, wall spikes, tree guards, and walls still remain.

Abandoned Massachusetts
Abandoned from Above
Urban Exploration
Jason Allard
New England
History
Urbex
Zoo
Franklin Park Zoo
Jamaica Plain
Drone Video