Andy August 14, 2007 12:12:16 (EDT)

When Arthur bought the park, he changed Tony's name to Colossus because he thought it was more dignified, and was more suitable for one of the largest most powerful gorillas in captivity. So when you see references to Tony or Colossus, its the same animal.
Does anyone remember the "Colossus for President" campaign?
I remember spending hours with Tammy Miller making those campaign buttons on a little button making press in a workshop overlooking the round gift shop at the top of the hill.

Pat Conway August 13, 2007 19:31:08 (EDT)

I attended St. Charles School in Waltham MA and our end-of-year field trips were to Benson's Wild Animal Farm. I remember riding the bus there in 2nd and 3rd grades which would have been 1963 and 1964. Two memorable events: getting lost in the maze, and having Tony the Gorilla spit in my hair. I vividly remember Tony in the Gorilla House. He would get excited and jump up and down and make loud noises and leap up on the fence door in the front of his cage. Although we were scared, we would spend most of our time staring at Tony and his antics... until he hocked a big one in my ponytail, and it smelled. My teacher took me to the Ladies Room and washed out my ponytail in the sink. Ahh, memories.

Shannon August 11, 2007 17:44:50 (EDT)

A friend and I went there today. Both of us had gone as children. It's really quite amazing how much nature has reclaimed. Still being there brought back all sorts of memories. The foliage is beautiful and we even saw a giant grey heron in the duck pond. Also some of the biggest insects we had ever seen. It's like Jurassic Park in there. It will make a lovely park for Hudson.

Rick Matias August 6, 2007 21:45:47 (EDT)

I used to go to bensons with my twin sister and my grandmother and mother every summer.. I used to ride the bunny floats (where did those go... i used to absolutely adore that ride.)
I am amazed liz and queenie are in hoeinwald tennessee 10 miles from where i was 2 months ago visiting my father, If i had known i would have brought liz an apple and queenie a peanut bag... i used to ride liz and queenie all the time, and queenie was the first elephant i ever rode.
I also remember the last time we went it had really changed and that the bunny floats had changed or been removed and we couldnt ride them (major bummer)... that was summer of 1987.
Didnt benson's son run for govenor or senator. i dont remember.
I went to bensons approximately 10 times from 1978 till 1987
It and Paragon park closed around the same time followed by whalom and riverside changed to six flags.
canobie is still around but this year i hear they really changed it and took out the matterhorn.

im a musician now, i play guitar for the band cannabis sativa, I MISS BENSON's.
http://www.soundclick.com/cannabissativa

RJ August 4, 2007 17:15:44 (EDT)

I live right down the street from Benson's. Today was the first time i went down there. It's pretty amazing to see how such a popular place suddenly disappeared. Only got to see half of it, there's a huge mound of asbestos. Very ingrown. I'm going back another day soon, more prepared, to see the rest of it.

Ken Mayer July 12, 2007 23:37:48 (EDT)

Count Nolan, lion tamer, February 28, 2004 - I've been searching for materials, pictures etc. about a lion tamer named "Count Nolan". As a child this man lived in my home town, Wrentham Massachusetts, and had his animals in the back yard. I remember his act as "Count Nolan and his Jungle Killers", and that as a family see saw him perform at Benson's Wild Animal farm in New Hampshire...what a thrill! Ken Mayer, crisiskenm@msn.com.

Andy July 8, 2007 13:45:18 (EDT)

When Arthur bought the park, there were many elephant statues situated around the property. Some were trunk up, some trunk down. Arthur got rid of all the statues that had downward trunks, because they were considered to be bad luck. The large elephant statue that was down by the rides had a downward trunk, and Arthur smashed it off with a sledge hammer, and had a new upwards facing trunk installed. He also got rid of one of the two marble elephants that were at he top of the hill by the round gift shop. He kept the trunk up one, but he smashed the trunk down one himself, again with a sledgehammer. There were picture taken of both of these events.

Webmaster Steve July 5, 2007 23:17:50 (EDT)

A reminder that Queenie and Liz, two of the Benson's Wild Animal Farm elephants, are happily enjoying their well-earned retirements at the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. If you're lucky, you may catch them on the Elecam.

evelyn clermont July 5, 2007 16:19:43 (EDT)

I remember my dad..way back when he trained the elephants at benson's...betsy was his favorite...i remember going there many many years ago

Webmaster Steve July 3, 2007 19:36:58 (EDT)

Thanks to Yvon Hawke for his essay and slide-show. Click on "2007 Visit" in the Table on Contents to view it.

Jason July 1, 2007 22:02:48 (EDT)

I live right across the street from Bensons. Its so amazing to walk around in there with it being all run down. Its more interesting to think that all this use to be a walk away.

Yvon Hawke July 1, 2007 00:53:42 (EDT)

Hi everyone. I used to go to the park when I was a kid; tha last time being sometime before 1985. I don't remember the specific date any longer; but, the date might be on the photos I'll be taking a look at tomorrow at my folks house.

Having been nearly 25 years since that last time there and it's closing. I had been talking about the park with a coworker this past week and decided to do some research.. including going back to the park, which I did today, to check the condition of the overgrowth and buildings still standing. As far as plantlife overgrowth, it was as expected. It's gown so much it's hard to remember the location of everything. I snapped a mess of pictures, about 50 or so. But I was amazed at the great condition the footbridges and staircases were. I couldn't stay too long today, but I'll be going back to take more shots and take my time examining the property.

The ladybug coaster was my first coaster as well, woudl ride that thing tons of times. It's up at Santa's Village if you wana go check it out these days.

Sharon June 25, 2007 16:31:15 (EDT)

We took our kids to Southwick's Zoo this past weekend and it reminded me of Benson's. I came across your site when I decided to see whatever happened to Benson's. (I also couldn't remember where it was located, other than in New Hampshire.)

I visited there many times as a child, probably mostly during the early 80's. The roller coaster there was my first roller coaster ride. It was such a bargain--all rides included in the price of admission (except the animal rides)...you certainly don't see that any more! $2 per ticket at Southwicks. It's amazing how much I can remember of it--the hedge/tree maze that I absolutely loved, walking around the pond, going on the rides, seeing the animals, and riding both a camel and an elephant!

Andy June 25, 2007 12:41:14 (EDT)

LOL. Or maybe it was Mike McCray.......

Andy June 23, 2007 10:21:35 (EDT)

"Aug 21, 1979 - Hudson - NH - Lion attack - Kimball Hill Road - Bensons Wild Animal Farm - An employee of the farm was attacked by a lion and suffered bites to the head and arms."
That employee was Mike McCoy, and he was attacked by the mother mountain lion when he put food inside the cage. He had a nasty set of scars around his neck after the attack. He would have been around 18 at the time, maybe 17.

Lexi June 21, 2007 19:00:22 (EDT)

Does anyone remember the lady bug roller coaster? That was the first roller coaster I road as a child. I grew up in Hudson. We took a field trip there when I was in second grade in 1986.

bill goss June 21, 2007 00:33:54 (EDT)

i remember visiting bensons in the 1930's.my family had a cottage in east andover,n.h. and we went every summer.
my most vivid memory beside the animal acts was a piglet who ran free around the park pulling a little covered wagon.on the canvas sides of the wagon was printed "bringing home the bacon to bensons"
fond and cherished memories of a childhood,in simpler times,long gone but not forgotten.
bill goss

Donna June 15, 2007 17:26:26 (EDT)

Just some info that I thought I should share with anyone who worked at Benson's. Roger Rodrigues who used to be known as "Benny Benson" the clown, has passed away this week. Any questions can be referred back to me.

Charlie June 15, 2007 10:59:10 (EDT)

Blast from the past, Circa 1970's...Jim Murray,Jim Crowley,George Marshall,"Sonny" Gilchrist,Bruce Ashmore,Gerry Landry,The Dutton Brothers,Pinky Madison,Joe Arcaris,Harvey,Steve Trzos,Roland and his seal act,Tony the Gorilla (B-4 being named Colossus),Queen,Liz and Ruth (Elephants), Mary the Cassowary,Jocko (mandrill)Junior(chimp).Think about these for awhile, Will have more at a later date. Any former employees feel free to add your own memories.