Omaha Exploration

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Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

In a previous post, we explored the origins of Henry Doorly Zoo which started its life as Riverview Park before the turn of the century. If you missed it, you can read it below. In this post, we’ll focus on its evolution after it was renamed. During her youth, Margaret Hitchcock Doorly, developed a love…

Patrick Wyman
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In a previous post, we explored the origins of Henry Doorly Zoo which started its life as Riverview Park before the turn of the century. If you missed it, you can read it below. In this post, we’ll focus on its evolution after it was renamed.

Omaha’s Riverview Park

During her youth, Margaret Hitchcock Doorly, developed a love of animals while spending time on the Crouse Farm in Fort Calhoun. The farm belonged to her grandfather, Lorenzeo Crouse who among other things served as Nebraska’s Governor. It made send then that after the passing of her husband Henry Doorly in 1961, she donated $750k to the zoo with the stipulation that they name after him. Henry was an influential figure that served as the chairman of the Omaha World-Herald, the newspaper which had been founded by her father, Senator Gilbert Hitchcock.

Old photo of the Henry Doorly Zoo entrance courtesy of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo.
1966 Durham Museum photo of the construction taking place at Henry Doorly Zoo.

Margaret who passed away herself in 1964 made it clear that the intent of the donation was to transform Riverview Park into a fine zoo in its own right by enlarging, expanding and beautifying it. She did not want the animals to be confined to cages but instead to have as much freedom as possible. Establishing a zoo in this manner required more space. To realize these goals, the Omaha Zoological Society had to travel and learn from peer zoos. The society also reorganized itself as a non-profit which would seek funding from paid entry fees to the zoo in addition to donations.

1966 Durham Museum photo of a group of children and the zoo director posing with a new lion cub at the old Riverview Park which by now was known as Henry Doorly Zoo.

The Henry Doorly Zoo was built out in three, five year stages. The first phase of the zoo included buildings and habitats for bears, gorillas and orangutans. The buildings were designed by architecture firm Leo A. Daly.

1967 Durham Museum photo of a family watching seals at Henry Doorly Zoo.

Union Pacific proceeded to install 2 ½ miles of track throughout the zoo while Eppley Pachyderm Hill was opened on the site of the old baseball field at Riverview Park. As the old park made way for the new zoo, residents in the area were left without a park of their own. Eventually Riverview Park was replaced with George F. Lynch Park on 20th and Center. 

1967 Durham Museum photo of an aerial view of the Henry Doorly Zoo. There are four areas sectioned off with animals.

The public swimming pool which opened in 1916 only to be buried in 1944 was rediscovered in 1970 and was used to construct the Owen Sea Lion Pavilion. The zoo continued to expand through the 1970’s and by 1977 it had the largest cat complex in North America. The 1980’s saw the opening of the world-second largest walk-thru aviary. A 70,000 gallon aquarium followed in the area that used to be a museum. Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Pavilion opened in 1987.

1968 Durham Museum photo of the model Union Pacific train built in 1867 at Henry Doorly Zoo.

The 1990’s saw the addition of Dairy World, the children’s petting zoo which was later replaced by Carousel Plaza. The zoo also added the world’s largest indoor rain forest – the Lied Jungle. It closed the old aquarium to make way for the Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium two years later. Garden of the Senses opened in 1998 followed by Sue’s Carousel. The 2000’s saw the zoo open two more attractions that were considered to be the largest in the world. They included the Desert Dome and Kingdom of the Night – the largest indoor desert and swamp. The opening of Hubbard Gorilla Valley allowed the gorillas to roam freely. Skyfari followed to allow guests a birds eye view of the zoo.

1971 Durham Museum photo looking inside the Henry Doorly Zoo.

Change continued at a fast and furious pace in the 2010’s as Expedition Madagascar opened and the aquarium was renovated. Henry Doorly Zoo proceeded to acquire the site of its longtime neighbor, Rosenblatt Stadium for $12M after the city replaced it with a new stadium downtown. While the zoo used the land for parking and a visitor center, it did pay tribute to the old ball field by opening the Infield at the Zoo exhibit which includes a miniature ball field, old bleachers from Rosenblatt, home plate located in the exact same location and foul poles. Following that the zoo opened Stingray Beach, African Grasslands, Bay Family Adventure Trails, Asian Highlands, Glacier Bay Landing and Owen Sea Lion Shores. The 160-acre zoo continues to expand with the recent opening of the Hubbard Orangutan Forest in 2024.

1972 Durham Museum photo of the former swimming pool at Riverside Park being turned into a Sea Lion pond for the Henry Doorly Zoo

Since Margaret Hitchcock Doorly made the donation that established the Henry Doorly Zoo, it has been named the best in the country and among the best in the world. In 2016 alone it attracted more than two million visitors and resulted in an economic impact of $267M to the City of Omaha $216M to the State of Nebraska. The zoo has also been recognized in animal conservation and research, through its Center for Conservation and Research. Its mission today includes conservation, research, recreation and education. Each is represented by the squares in its logo.

1972 Durham Museum photo of people watching the sea lions at Henry Doorly Zoo.

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More pictures

Omaha Exploration photo of the plaza and entrance to the Henry Doorly Zoo with ticket counters on the right.
Omaha Exploration photo inside the Lied Jungle at Henry Doorly Zoo.
Omaha Exploration photo inside the Lied Jungle at Henry Doorly Zoo.
Omaha Exploration photo of the fountain with the Scott Aquarium in the background at Henry Doorly Zoo.
Omaha Exploration photo inside the Scott Aquarium at Henry Doorly Zoo.
Omaha Exploration photo looking at the Grewcock Butterfly and Insect Pavilion at Henry Doorly Zoo.
Omaha Exploration photo of the African Grasslands at Henry Doorly Zoo.
Omaha Exploration photo of a giraffe inside the African Grasslands at Henry Doorly Zoo.
Omaha Exploration photo inside the African Grasslands at Henry Doorly Zoo. The helicopter is a play feature for children.
Omaha Exploration photo inside the African Grasslands at Henry Doorly Zoo. The Land Rover is a play feature for children.
Omaha Exploration photo of Zebras inside the African Grasslands at Henry Doorly Zoo.
Omaha Exploration photo inside the African Grasslands at Henry Doorly Zoo.
Omaha Exploration photo of the Orangutan Forest at Henry Doorly Zoo.
Omaha Exploration photo of the Orangutan Forest at Henry Doorly Zoo.
Omaha Exploration photo of the Sea Lion Shores at Henry Doorly Zoo.
Omaha Exploration photo of the Sea Lion Shores at Henry Doorly Zoo.
Omaha Exploration photo of the Sea Lion Shores at Henry Doorly Zoo.
Omaha Exploration photo of the Alaskan Adventure at Henry Doorly Zoo.
Omaha Exploration photo of the spray ground inside the Alaskan Adventure at Henry Doorly Zoo.
Omaha Exploration photo of the Fisherman’s Landing at Henry Doorly Zoo. It offers a variety of food, drinks and cold treats.
Recent photo that I took of Sue’s Carousel at Henry Doorly Zoo.
Omaha Exploration photo of Children’s Adventure Trails at Henry Doorly Zoo.
Omaha Exploration photo of Children’s Adventure Trails at Henry Doorly Zoo.
Omaha Exploration photo of Garden of the Senses at Henry Doorly Zoo.
Omaha Exploration photo of the lagoon at Henry Doorly Zoo that is original to Riverview Park.
Omaha Exploration photo of the old caretakers cottage at former at Henry Doorly Zoo.
Omaha Exploration photo of Infield at the Zoo in the Henry Doorly Zoo parking lot.
2025 Google Earth view of the Henry Doorly Zoo. Note the changes from the Omaha World-Herald map from 1965.
Map courtesy of the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.
1965 Omaha World-Herald Map of the Henry Doorly Zoo.

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2 responses to “Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium”

  1. dkozisek Avatar
    dkozisek

    In two pictures, you identify the interior shots of the Lied Jungle as the Desert Dome.

    Doug Kozisek
    M) 402-639-3101

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    1. Omaha Exploration Avatar
      Omaha Exploration

      Probably a copy and paste error. Thanks, I’ll fix it.

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