The Forgotten Zoo and Game Farm in Catskill

Inspired by his father’s teachings in zoology, Roland Lindemann, a German-born New York banker, embarked on a lifelong passion that led him to establish his farm. In 1933, he acquired land in Palenville, New York, in the Catskill Mountains. Swiftly stocking the farm with white-tailed deer, goats, and donkeys, Lindemann christened this haven as the Lindemann Deer Farm, initially limited to his family and close acquaintances.

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While some contention exists about the precise date of its opening, the transition from private enclave to public attraction occurred between 1933 and 1945. Initially free of charge, the popularity of Lindemann’s animal collection prompted him to abandon his New York banking career. Making a permanent move to his farm, he transformed it into a thriving business venture.

In 1943, the Catskill Game Farm opened its doors to the public, becoming a notable draw. Strategically situated near the Catskill Mountains, the farm garnered attention from tourists and day-trippers from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.

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Lindemann implemented an animal feeding area on the premises, inviting guests to interact with creatures like bison, buffalos, alpacas, camels, and lions. Unique vending machines dispensed crackers and bottled milk for the gentle animals.

By 1950, nearly 200,000 individuals explored this menagerie, with annual visitors peaking at 500,000. The farm, boasting around 600 wild and 250 domesticated animals, eventually expanded to 914 acres, although only 136 acres remained accessible to the public. Most of the land was dedicated to breeding animals destined for zoos worldwide.

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Lindemann’s enthusiasm for collecting unique breeds and conservation ardour drove his travels. He sought to conserve the endangered American bison, among other ventures. In 1958, the United States Department of Agriculture bestowed zoo status upon the game farm, marking it the country’s first privately owned zoo. This recognition allowed Lindemann to introduce even more exotic animals, including giraffes and rhinos.

The 1970s witnessed further expansion, enlarging the zoo to 1,000 acres and housing approximately 2,500 animals representing 150 species sourced globally. However, by the late 1970s and early 1980s, the popularity of Catskill as a vacation destination waned.

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In 1989, Lindemann entrusted the zoo to his daughter Kathie and her husband Jurgen, known for their animal supply business. Yet, allegations arose that the couple exported animals to “canned hunts.” Post-ownership transition, annual reports from the US Department of Agriculture highlighted waste accumulation, drainage, and animal food quality issues.

After 73 years of operation, the zoo officially shuttered on October 9, 2006, citing financial challenges and declining attendance. A comprehensive two-day auction, managed by Norton Auctioneers, dispersed rides, vehicles, agricultural equipment, and animals, including “Boom Boom,” a white rhino that lived to a venerable age.

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In 2012, Ben and Katie Ballone purchased the property to restore it as a family-friendly destination. Renaming it the Old Game Farm, they reopened it for pre-booked self-guided tours in 2014. The Ballones also transformed the Giraffe House into the eco-conscious Long Neck Inn, inaugurated in 2019.

The Long Neck Inn offers wedding venues and event spaces, aligning with the farm’s nostalgia-inducing ambience. With a focus on sustainability, the inn boasts energy-efficient features, eco-friendly cleaning products, and LED lighting.

Although no plans exist to revive the zoo, the 130-acre park is open to visitors seeking a trip down memory lane. In addition to the hotel, the Old Game Farm offers camping sites, with plans for educational camps and nature programs. The Ballones intend to preserve the site’s history, evident through an exhibition of Catskill Game Farm memorabilia and ongoing infrastructure maintenance.

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The future holds prospects for a reconstructed entrance to the park, welcoming vehicles to relive the charm of this remarkable locale. To learn more, visit theoldgamefarm.com or explore the Flickr page of keith_denise.

Source: abandonedspaces