York, Nebraska: Backyard Zoo
"Headed West - Didn't Make It" reads a sign. Fenced off homemade animals populate a large back yard to the confusion of passers-by. Another sign warns, "Trespass Survivors will be Prosecuted."
- Address:
- 580 W. 12th St., York, NE
- Directions:
- I-80 exit 353. Drive north on US Hwy 81 for three miles into town. Turn left (west) onto 11th St. and drive four blocks until it ends. Turn right onto Division Ave. and then a quick left onto 12th St. The zoo will be a half-block on the left.
- Hours:
- Visible from the road; no trespassing. Local health policies may affect hours and access.
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Such an interesting and odd addition to this small town. A giraffe, two zebras, rhinoceros, lion, bald eagle, covered wagon, (metal) skeleton of a steer (with a sign that reads, "Ran out of hay last winter"), and a dinosaur!
[Adventures Of Cluckleberry Hen, 07/24/2017]
"High Prospect" is the name that hangs over the gated entrance to a unique retirement past time "zoo" that began in 2004. The original 16-foot giraffe still stands, however the baby giraffe has disappeared. Two zebras, a lion, and pioneer with his covered wagon have been added. The latest addition is a bald eagle with its lunch dangling from its beak.
The owners built the animals true to life scale by using National Geographic magazines and researching mature animal sizes on the Internet. Throwback-style Burma Shave signs adorn the exterior fence posts, making for an interesting neighborhood conversation piece.
[Gina Godding, 07/26/2010]
Saw it when I was home over the 4th of July. We were driving down the street and my sister yelled, hey, there's a giraffe! Confused, I made my mom drive around the block and the couple that owns the property have apparently "created" their own animals and backyard zoo. Don't know many details about it, but I know it wasn't there when I was growing up.
[Heather, 08/03/2005]Nearby Offbeat Places
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