Dennard, Arkansas: Hummingbird Mountain - Zoo Now a Church

The old zoo is now a church. It has a cafe and a gift shop.

My grandpa was the one who built and maintained the petting zoo. He actually still lives in the area, but sold the zoo over 30 years ago. He was also on the engineering crew that built Dogpatch U.S.A..

The building that still stands used to be the gift shop. The train tracks literally went over the cages, and grandpa would only let me and my two older brothers sit in the front car with him and ring the bell.

I moved away from Dennard in the late 70's, but I returned a few years ago to visit my grandpa and to show my own two children the old abandoned zoo. I will forever treasure the wonderful memories I have of the time I spent there with my grandpa. It's nice to know that others enjoy the nostalgia and tranquility that an exquisite place like Dennard has to offer.

We pass Hummingbird Mountain in Dennard, AR every weekend on our way to Bull Shoals. The grass has pretty much taken over everything but you can still see the buildings and the sign. A couple of years back, it looked as though someone was clearing the place to open something but nothing more happened. Anyway, hope this note lets you know that your memories are somewhat still alive...

Does anyone remember Hummingbird Mountain on scenic Hwy 65N between Clinton and Marshall AR? It was a roadsideattraction that was a favorite stopping place on the way to Dogpatch in the '70's. They had animals and a miniature train track. It was near Natural Bridge of Arkansas.