Lassen County’s First Zoo

Elk, with the Wingfield residence in the background. Courtesy of Alphozene Terrill
Elk, with the Wingfield residence in the background. Courtesy of Alphozene Terrill

In 1910, George Wingfield established a summer residence south of Susanville, and more about that in a future article. He had a special interest in wildlife and established his own little preserve. That fall, he fenced off eighty acres for an elk and deer park. In 1914, he added four buffalo to his collection. This became a major attraction to local residents to view these creatures.

Wingfield also brought in such “exotic” species as peacocks and mammoth size frogs imported from New Orleans. He had two small lakes constructed on the property to plant with a wide variety of fish.

Where the buffalo and elk roam at Wingfield Ranch. Courtesy of Lola L. Tanner
Where the buffalo and elk roam at Wingfield Ranch. Courtesy of Lola L. Tanner

In 1923 Wingfield sold the property to the Lassen Lumber & Box Company who were primarily interested in the timberland he owned there. The buffalo were shipped to Wingfield Park in Reno where they were on display for many years. The fenced enclosure to keep the elk in was no longer maintained and the animals began to roam the region, with spottings from nearby Bald Mountain to Willow Creek Valley. The elk were poached by hunters over the years, and were wiped out by the early 1940s.

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