John Elitch
Encyclopedia
John Elitch was a restauranteur, businessman, actor, zookeeper, and original owner and namesake of Elitch Gardens
and the Elitch Theatre
in Denver, CO.
where he met many entertainers and businessmen. He also met a young usher, Mary Hauck that he later marries in 1873 in their hometown San Jose, CA. John shared a dream with Mary Elitch Long
to become a zookeeper at a wonderful resort with a theatre. In 1880, he arrived in Denver, CO to work at friends' restaurants saving money. In early 1881 John hikes across the Conejos Range in Colorado to reach the booming town of Durango, CO before the train tracks were laid. He opens a very successful restaurant that he sells to later open other restaurants in Denver, CO.
In 1884 he was key in the founding of the Denver Athletic Club. After five years searching he purchases a 16-acre farm in the Western Denver Highlands. Intended to supply his restaurants with fresh produce instead John and Mary decide to follow a dream to transform the land into a magical cultural resort with a zoo, plants, flowers, musicians, and a theater for his entertainment friends. Three years later, together they opened the gates to Elitch Zoological Gardens on May 1st, 1890.
Many famous friends of John Elitch were in attendance open day including P.T. Barnum who donated many of the animals for the zoo. Elitch Gardens
was a huge success that John and Mary poured their hearts and souls into.
After the gates closed for the first season the work began for the next year. John Elitch left in the winder to tour the west coast with a vaudeville troupe.
Unexpectedly John Elitch catches phenomena and dies on March 10, 1891. With Mary at his side she decides to returned to Denver, CO alone and opened the gates to Elitch Gardens
continuing a tradition, in the memory of John Elitch.
The Historic Elitch Theatre
is only standing building left from opening day. Many of John Elitch's friends came to perform at the Elitch Theatre
including Eugene O'Neill, Charles Goodyear, Sarah Bernhardt
after his death. The Elitch Theatre became America's Oldest Summer Stock Theatre and home for thousands of actors between Hollywood and Broadway.
As the park changed owners an agreement still stands that it always keep the Elitch name. Mary Elitch Long
was allowed to live in her home in the gardens until her death. The Original Elitch Gardens closed in 1994 and reopened in its current downtown location in 1995.
Elitch Gardens
Elitch Gardens was a family-owned seasonal amusement park, theater, and botanic garden in the West Highland neighborhood of Denver, Colorado, United States at 38th and Tennyson streets. For more than a century Elitch's was one of the most popular entertainment destinations in Colorado...
and the Elitch Theatre
Elitch Theatre
The Historic Elitch Theatre is located at the original Elitch Gardens site in northwest Denver, Colorado. Opened in 1890 it was centerpiece of the park that was the First Zoo West of Chicago. The theatre was home to America's first, and oldest summer-stock theater from 1893 until 1987. The first...
in Denver, CO.
History
John Elitch managed the restaurant in the California Theatre (San Francisco)California Theatre (San Francisco)
The California Theatre , was located at 414 Bush Street, San Francisco. It was built in 1869 by William Ralston, at that time the treasurer of the Bank of California. S. C. Bugbee & Son were the architects and the theatre cost $250, 000 to build.Anpther source puts the figure at $150,000...
where he met many entertainers and businessmen. He also met a young usher, Mary Hauck that he later marries in 1873 in their hometown San Jose, CA. John shared a dream with Mary Elitch Long
Mary Elitch Long
Mary Elitch Long was one of the original owners of Elitch Gardens in Denver, CO. She was the first woman to own and manage a zoo, that happened to be the first zoo West of Chicago. She was an author of two childrens books.- History :Opened in 1890, Elitch Zoological Gardens offered a unique...
to become a zookeeper at a wonderful resort with a theatre. In 1880, he arrived in Denver, CO to work at friends' restaurants saving money. In early 1881 John hikes across the Conejos Range in Colorado to reach the booming town of Durango, CO before the train tracks were laid. He opens a very successful restaurant that he sells to later open other restaurants in Denver, CO.
In 1884 he was key in the founding of the Denver Athletic Club. After five years searching he purchases a 16-acre farm in the Western Denver Highlands. Intended to supply his restaurants with fresh produce instead John and Mary decide to follow a dream to transform the land into a magical cultural resort with a zoo, plants, flowers, musicians, and a theater for his entertainment friends. Three years later, together they opened the gates to Elitch Zoological Gardens on May 1st, 1890.
Many famous friends of John Elitch were in attendance open day including P.T. Barnum who donated many of the animals for the zoo. Elitch Gardens
Elitch Gardens
Elitch Gardens was a family-owned seasonal amusement park, theater, and botanic garden in the West Highland neighborhood of Denver, Colorado, United States at 38th and Tennyson streets. For more than a century Elitch's was one of the most popular entertainment destinations in Colorado...
was a huge success that John and Mary poured their hearts and souls into.
After the gates closed for the first season the work began for the next year. John Elitch left in the winder to tour the west coast with a vaudeville troupe.
Unexpectedly John Elitch catches phenomena and dies on March 10, 1891. With Mary at his side she decides to returned to Denver, CO alone and opened the gates to Elitch Gardens
Elitch Gardens
Elitch Gardens was a family-owned seasonal amusement park, theater, and botanic garden in the West Highland neighborhood of Denver, Colorado, United States at 38th and Tennyson streets. For more than a century Elitch's was one of the most popular entertainment destinations in Colorado...
continuing a tradition, in the memory of John Elitch.
The Historic Elitch Theatre
Elitch Theatre
The Historic Elitch Theatre is located at the original Elitch Gardens site in northwest Denver, Colorado. Opened in 1890 it was centerpiece of the park that was the First Zoo West of Chicago. The theatre was home to America's first, and oldest summer-stock theater from 1893 until 1987. The first...
is only standing building left from opening day. Many of John Elitch's friends came to perform at the Elitch Theatre
Elitch Theatre
The Historic Elitch Theatre is located at the original Elitch Gardens site in northwest Denver, Colorado. Opened in 1890 it was centerpiece of the park that was the First Zoo West of Chicago. The theatre was home to America's first, and oldest summer-stock theater from 1893 until 1987. The first...
including Eugene O'Neill, Charles Goodyear, Sarah Bernhardt
Sarah Bernhardt
Sarah Bernhardt was a French stage and early film actress, and has been referred to as "the most famous actress the world has ever known". Bernhardt made her fame on the stages of France in the 1870s, and was soon in demand in Europe and the Americas...
after his death. The Elitch Theatre became America's Oldest Summer Stock Theatre and home for thousands of actors between Hollywood and Broadway.
As the park changed owners an agreement still stands that it always keep the Elitch name. Mary Elitch Long
Mary Elitch Long
Mary Elitch Long was one of the original owners of Elitch Gardens in Denver, CO. She was the first woman to own and manage a zoo, that happened to be the first zoo West of Chicago. She was an author of two childrens books.- History :Opened in 1890, Elitch Zoological Gardens offered a unique...
was allowed to live in her home in the gardens until her death. The Original Elitch Gardens closed in 1994 and reopened in its current downtown location in 1995.