El Monte, California: Lion Farm Lion Statue

Gay's Lion Farm raised and trained 200 African lions for Hollywood films from 1925 to 1942. A bronze lion that sat at its entrance now sits in front of the town high school. The original spot is now marked by a second lion.

Address:: Bodger St., El Monte, CA
Directions:: The original lion is outside El Monte High School Auditorium, which is on the south side of Bodger St. just east of Tyler Ave. The second lion is about a half-mile away, just south of the intersection of Peck Rd and Valley Blvd. A historical marker is on the east side of Peck Rd, just north of Valley Blvd, next to the bus shelter.
Admission:: Free

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Lion.

Lion Statue

The lion on the stone pedestal is at the site of the original Gay's Lion Farm, a roadside attraction that was in El Monte. The monument is on the southeast corner of Valley and Peck, alongside the freeway.

[signmanjoe, 07/23/2017]

Lion Farm Lion Statue

Gay's Lion Farm raised and trained 200 African lions for Hollywood films from 1925 to 1942, and was a popular area attraction. A bronze lion statue sat at its entrance, and now sits in front of the El Monte High School Auditorium, on top of a pedestal with a plaque that describes the Farm's history. It was restored in 1979 after pranksters put a hand grenade in its mouth and blew up its head. In 2000 another lion statue and plaque was placed at the Lion Farm site.

[Peter S Tannen, 08/13/2014]

The pranksters of El Monte sound far more dangerous than any lion. July 2017: Photo added.