Mark Iverson April 13, 2008 16:02:09 (EDT)

I can't believe I finally found a site about Benson's. For years I have been wanting to know what it looks like now, and It's really depressing. This was a place that was always bright and filled with life. I remember going there at least twice a year and how much fun I had, Even though I was afraid of the monkey house. I really hope there is a way to preserve what is left, Maybe turn it into a park some how, or some sort of a historical site. I would give anything to be able to go there and just remember all the good times I had as a kid.

Sue April 11, 2008 19:33:51 (EDT)

I really miss Benson's Animal Farm ,that was the place to go
when I was growing up. Then when I was a teenager my boyfriend ran the MerryGoRound, guess where I spent my summer vacation. Then a new boyfriend and later husband we brought our two boys to Benson's as well as the rest of our family. It was absolutely the good old days. Thanks for the memories. Wish we could bring our grandchildren there.
That would be the best. I still have a Benny Benson pennant.

Roger Dean Kiser April 8, 2008 16:36:11 (EDT)

I am putting together a book titled "Crossing the Rainbow Bridge" for people who have stories about their pets who have crossed over. It is very difficult for me to read many of the stories. It is absolutely heartbreaking. This is not a money making project. It is a book put together strictly by pet lovers, about their pets and their personal stories. It is not a book to be sold in stores. As an animal advocate, I think this is a wonderful project.

If anyone knows anyone who might have a story they want to place in the book; please send me an e-mail and I will send them the information on the book. Or send them this link: http://www.geocities.com/trampolineone/survive3/srv601.htm

We also have another book titled “OUR MEMORIES II” about pets and personal family stories is=f anyone is interested in such a book.

Roger Dean Kiser, author
trampolineone@earthlink.net

Dot B. April 5, 2008 19:23:23 (EDT)

I cannot believe that Queenie died. I just found out a few weeks ago that she was living at the Elephant sanctuary. I made a donation to feed her and Liz for a day. I am so sad that she died.

If you loved Benson's and you loved the elphants there go to http://www.elephants.com/ and make a donation for Liz, or in Queenies memory.

Fefe Pelletier April 4, 2008 14:04:12 (EDT)

hello! my uncle Joe Arcaris was the lion and tiger Tamer (trainer) at Bensons. I have very few pictures of him...does anyone have any pictures of him I would really appreciate it. you can contact me at ThahBeatles@aol.com
sincerely,
Fefe

Harry D. Smith April 1, 2008 20:59:30 (EDT)

One of your beloved elephant Queenie died peaceably at the age 49 years old , at the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee , March 29, 2008, such a sweet elephant.

Steve (webmaster) March 31, 2008 20:26:16 (EDT)

I do remember the Benson's sign at Main St and East Hollis St in Nashua. Wasn't it mounted on the side of the former Nashua Beef Company building?

Charlie March 31, 2008 10:01:32 (EDT)

Hello all, Would love to hear from former employees.Worked there on animal crew from 1972-1981

Wendy March 30, 2008 20:32:37 (EDT)

Hey Robert Goodsell..you must have been there in 1980, because I started as a ride operator winter 1980-summer 1983 and don't remember you or have photos of you. Benson's was the best place ever to work..pay wasn't the greatest, but the benefits of being outside (getting a Benson's tan-short sleeve/v-neck) and making lots of friends was worth it! I'd post pictures, but the majority of the ones I have are of employees, not the park..lol. I'd love to hear from other people that worked at rides or in the food stands down near them during this time.

Chainz Shultz March 30, 2008 20:32:28 (EDT)

What if the barn is restored and used as the elderly rec.center?That was recently an election topic.The seniors got voted against,bensons gets voted against,they are killing this town.Lets help the elders of this town and ourselves,Turn the barn into the senior center.Both the barn restoration and proposed senior center were both 1million each.Kill 2 birds with one stone.Im still waiting for info as to why there are huge asbestos piles left out in the open?What would it cost to remove?Heres a thought,split the cost with the guilty contractor?Thats better than waisting another 10 years without a much needed place for all to enjoy.Wouldnt it be nice?,instead of having to go to Nashuas Greeley park for something we could have here???When I hit the lottery Ill get it done,til then SAVE BENSONS,remember the good times....

Lee March 30, 2008 15:34:43 (EDT)

If any of you remember the elephants Queenie & Liz, this message is for you from the Elephant Santuary...

Dear Friends,

I hardly know how to share this news, it is shocking and I know it will bring tears to all. Our dear Queenie passed away unexpectedly yesterday. There were no warning signs, no sickness, no shift from her adventurous playful self. In fact, Queenie spent a good portion of her day on Friday in the upper pond for all of our EleCam viewers to see. Queenie was the Diva that knew how to play and she knew how to love. She was fine with caregivers but she gave her heart to her sister elephants--all of them. She was best of friends with the mighty Minnie and loyal Lottie; the three were inseparable. Queenie was the cutest squeaker you will ever hear. Her vocalizations grace our new Our Girls DVD; she had the most unique elephant speak imaginable.

Queenie left us abruptly. No, we were not prepared. We feel like we are in a stupor, wondering what just happened. One thing these girls teach us is that without a doubt, they make the decision when to transcend this earthly life. Obviously, as demonstrated by her hasty exit, Queenie's work here was done.

We can't yet consider life without Queenie; she simply left is too quickly, we are still processing and shedding lots of tears. We love her, we miss her, we wish she would not have left us so soon.

Carol

Andrew March 30, 2008 10:36:27 (EDT)

Does anybody else remember the giant Benson's billboard that was located on the corners of Main St and East Hollis St in Nashua?

ChainzShultz March 25, 2008 21:21:30 (EDT)

I looked into it some more and keep hearing the name JASPER.Mr Jasper,if your listening and Im sure your not,but anyway here it goes..What can we the voters and abuters do to help you push forward with getting the asbestos removed,deed transfered and Bensons buildings restored.I know there are contractors that will work for less than the estimates you came up with.How about trades from the schools etc. help out with labor?Contact suppliers and preservation orgs,to donate materials?It was to be sold for 180,000.Its valued at more than 5million.SO WHATS THE PROBLEM JASPER AND CO.?Get it done.dont mess it up like not having kindergarden here...Maybe the councilors are just waiting till their favorite local contractor wants to develop it,then something may happen.Lets just pray he doesnt,I would rather see the brush and weeds overgrowth than population overgrowth.SAVE BENSONS,SAVE HUDSON

Steve (webmaster) March 25, 2008 09:26:58 (EDT)

Yes, Laurie, Benson's was indeed in Hudson. For many years, there was a trolley car that ran from Nashua to Benson's, and Benson advertised the park as being in Nashua because at the time, Hudson was not known very well. You can recognize the earlier memorabilia because it says Nashua instead of Hudson.

ChainzShultz March 24, 2008 21:51:53 (EDT)

Icurrently live next door to Bensons.It kills me to see it in the neglected state it is in.The selectmen etc,should get off their butts and get going on restoring what is one of the only notable landmarks here.Lets face it,when you say Hudson,people always say...,Is that where Bensons is?Too bad I always have to say,WAS...I dont know why they cant sue the company that dumped illegal aspestos there,why cant the responsible party be forced to clean it and be fined,with the money put into making it at least a place for people to enjoy again.I have to believe John Benson is looking down with a tear in his eye,A 50 year landmark,aplace for families to make memories is now an overgrown jungle of vandalism.Please lets make things right.Hudson is not the same without this place.Lazy or just no respect,however you look at it,the politicians once again showing the voters that they dont care about tradition,or pride in one of the only things worth fixing in this town.You pushed Sheppards Hill right along,allowing builders to keep raping this town.Keep it up,well be a crime riddled over populated CITY before you know it...Well I have great memories of Bensons,Ijust hope my kids can too..They already know what un occupied condos look like....SAVE BENSONS........

laurie cunningham March 24, 2008 18:06:41 (EDT)

recently i received boxes of memorobilia from my mother inlaw. We both live in quincy mass. I am almost 50 and she is 90. As a kid i can remember driving up to new hampshire to go to Benson wild animal farm. While going through the boxes i found a rawhide bookmark. On the top it has an owls head and it says on the front of it "Meet me where we parted last, Benson's wild animal farm. Nashua N.H. Wasn't Benson's in Hudson, or was that part of Hudson once Nashua. Does anybody know.

Sheryl Binks Thompson March 23, 2008 07:39:16 (EDT)

My father, Leslie Binks, was an animal trainer at Benson's in the 1930's -40's. He was brought to this country from England by John Benson, who had seen my father's circus act(white liberty horses) in England at the Bostock and Womball Menagerie Show. There were two old circus wagons on display at Benson's that came from the same Circus. My mother's family lived about 4 miles up the road (Kimball Hill Road) and she worked at Benson's in the summer as a teenager selling tickets on the pony ride. That's how she met my dad. If it weren't for Benson's I wouldn't even exist. I now live in northern Maine and am a folk artist. I have been working on a painting of Benson's using memory and old family photos of the park. I have great childhood memories of the park including riding on Betsy the elephant's head as a child. Betsy's trainer, Carl Neuffer, was a dear family friend and used to let me ride just the way the Indian Mowhats ride straddling the elephants head/neck with your feet behind the ears. It's great to see the interest in the old park. It broke my heart when they closed it!!!!

RON March 16, 2008 18:57:36 (EDT)

I drive by Benson's quite often and noticed the No Vehicles sign but can You walk in the old park?
I would love to see what the place looks like now.

Charlie March 13, 2008 08:27:58 (EDT)

There were 3 elephants at the time. Liz,Queen and Ruth during the 70's