LAKEWOOD FARM-GETZ
STUDENT WRITING
To highlight events, students wrote sequentially. View some of our work.
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ROBERT
The 1930s were a very important time for Getz Farm. Getz Farm was a zoo owned by George Getz, founder of the Globe Coal Company. First, in 1931, George Getz offered to sell Getz Farm to Ottawa County for $625,000, which could be paid over 20 years.
Slightly after that in 1932, Getz Farm charged an admission fee for the first time due to the great depression. The fee was 25 cents per adult and 10 cents per child. Then, in 1933, a violent storm hit Getz Farm, causing over $15,000 in destruction. It may have been a tornado. A few months later, the zoo closed for good and all animals were sent to the new Brookfield zoo in Chicago. Finally, in 1938, George Getz passed away in his home in Miami, Florida. He was 73.
As you can see, the events of the 1930s affected Getz Farm in many ways.
MICHAEL
The years 1910-1915 were an interesting time at Getz Lakewood Farm. In 1910 August 12th George and Susan Getz visited Holland, Michigan and purchased 70 acres of land from Ida Fay. That same year on August 23 James Getz was born. Then, 7 Days Later Susan Getz died. In 1913 Getz got to the point that he had 253 acres of land. Then he started getting lots of animals like monkeys and polar bears. In 1913-1914 lots of parties were hosted at Getz Farm. There were big animals at the parties. In 1915 the zoo was open to the people with free admission. During the years 1910-1915 a lot of things happened at Getz Lakewood Farm.
CONNOR
The years 1927-1930 were interesting years at Getz farm.
In 1927 a banquet was given to George Getz in New York in honor of him and his zoo. The governor was even there.
In September 1927 George and his son had gone on an African hunting trip. He saw many great animals while hunting like floppy eared elephants, hungry vultures, and great ant hills. On the trip George Jr. had a sudden illness. George also played as Santa for kids who never had a Christmas. On his journey he passed
London, Paris, Italy and the Red Sea.
In that year more and more animals were being added to the zoo. In 1927 Big Bill the American bison was brought to the zoo. Sally the chimpanzee which was bought for $2,000 in 1928 was also added. In 1930 the waterfowl lagoon was built for the ducks, wild geese, and white and black swans.
In 1930 George held a promo boxing event. At the boxing event a famous boxer, Jack Dempsey came. George Getz brought him to Holland to referee boxing matches for local boys. All the proceeds for this event went to needy and disabled ex-service men. George Getz gave the boxer a first class tour of the farm and zoo.
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In those years many kids had great fun. The years 1927-1930 were interesting years.
SADIE
The time period between 1865 - 1938 was an interesting time throughout George Getz’s life. In 1865 George was born in Pennsylvania. He got married to Susan Getz in 1904. In 1910 Susan died seven days after giving birth to her second child named James. George bought more land from Ida Fay and animals such as monkeys from Madagascar, Camels and stallions from Arabia, many farm animals, and many more interesting animals. In 1933 a violent storm hit that was a tornado and damaged the farm and the most expensive part was hit very bad. The tower that was near property of George Getz also known as The tower of Babel, fell. Sadly George Getz died in 1938 in Miami Florida. As you can see 1856 -1938 was an interesting time in George Getz life.
BLAKE
Lakewood Farm/Zoo first opened in 1915. The year 1916 was an interesting time at Getz Lakewood Farm/Zoo. It was the only zoo in Holland. Lakewood farm got bigger and better as the acres grew and animals were added.
At the end of the season, in 1916 the animals were shipped to Lincoln park and John Ball zoo, due to World War I. During World War I Mr. Getz joined the Red Cross. After World War I Mr Getz rebuilt the farm in the 1920s.
After World War I Mr. Getz also went around the world to get more animals. Some of the animals were monkeys, two tapirs, kangaroos, a lion and a bear. There were at least 6 lion cubs born at the farm. During the 1920s Mr. Getz enlarged the farm. The farm also had record crowds who came to see the animals and explore the property.
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As you can see, the Lakewood farm was a busy place. I wish it was something our class could visit today.
JENA
George Getz accomplished many things! George Getz expanded the farm when he purchased an additional 64 acres. Later, he gained more with a total of 253 acres. He gained 189 acres. Another thing George Getz accomplished was his animal collection. As he was planning his zoo, he had a lot of experience with animals because he helped his family when he was younger. Soon, Getz owned geese, black bears, birds, a sun bear, monkeys, camels, stallions, donkeys, dogs and raccoons. Later, he owned many more animals at his zoo. He owned more animals such as polar bears, hippos, and even lions. In 1916, George Getz added even more animals such as baboons, ducks, lemurs, skunks, goats, an anteater, ocelot, and a beaver. The last thing George Getz finally accomplished was when George Getz shared his zoo for free with the public. As you can see George Getz Was a very busy man and he accomplished many things.