susan worsham June 12, 2007 03:54:07 (EDT)

see how it looks now? when was this taken ,are there any structures still up? like the old womens shoe? i remember seeing pictures of my mother in front of that shoe.

TINA N. PROVENCHER-LOMAS May 23, 2007 13:50:29 (EDT)

My 1/2 brother Arthur Provencher was the last owner of Benson's. We had the same father Geoffray Provencher. I never met Arthur, I wanted to meet him. I tried to look into going to Benson's but it was closed before I could get there. Still cannot locate Arthur, maybe someday. It's funny my... (more)

Angela May 13, 2007 12:15:40 (EDT)

I was just wondering where i could find a map of what bensons looked like in its hay day? And where all the rides/buildings were. If someone could email please i would greatly appreciate it.

my email is blackned_wings@yahoo.com

Debra Lemay April 29, 2007 11:10:31 (EDT)

Two of the elephants from Benson's are now at the "Elephant Sancuary" in Tennessee. They seem to be doing very well and enjoying their retirement. Their names are Liz and Queenie. Check out their photos and bios at www.elephants.com. This seems like a great retirement home. OK, who remembers... (more)

Mac April 26, 2007 23:54:13 (EDT)

I have many found memories of Benson's. I went there ate least once a year throughout my childhood. I remember so many things. Some of the highlights... The poop throwing apes. The nursery rhyme statues that used to creep me out when I was small. The elephant shows. The tree maze. I still drive... (more)

Mac April 26, 2007 23:46:17 (EDT)

I recently heard that 3 of elephants are still alive. One is in a zoo and the other two are in an elephant "sanctuary"

Jennifer April 21, 2007 11:15:39 (EDT)

i wish i could go back in time and do it all over again, i miss that place, i am now 30 years old and have a little boy who i would love to bring to Bensons, but now it is no longer there. i rember when it 1st closed my mom would drive buy and i would tell her mom can we go today! she tried... (more)

Linda April 7, 2007 14:39:41 (EDT)

Collosus the Gorilla (AKA Collosus Benson). Was living in the Cincinnati Zoo since 1993, after spending some time at a Florida zoo. He died April 11, 2006, at age 40, while under anesthesia during dental work.

Steve March 31, 2007 12:51:10 (EDT)

I've been reading some of the questions posted here and have some answers. The only animal still surviving from the farm that I know of is Collosus the Gorilla who now resides in The Cincinnati Zoo. His cage still stands on the property. Access to the property is up in the air. I've been there... (more)

Barry Benson March 30, 2007 15:20:33 (EDT)

I am a distant relative of John T and barely remember going to see him at Benson's Animal Farm when I was probably only about three or four. I remember seeing and touching an elephant and playing with some lion or tiger cubs. In later years, our parents took my brother and I to Hudson several... (more)

sabrina anderson March 29, 2007 20:35:55 (EDT)

I came here with my family when I was young.It is ashame that they closed down.I remember riding an elephant and sitting on a turtle while I was there.It was the best time I had.

Joanne March 29, 2007 20:00:41 (EDT)

I used to go to Benson's as a kid before they closed. Are there any of the buildings still on the property? Anyway to get onto the property to take some photographs of the old buildings for a photo class?

Cheryl Sprague March 27, 2007 23:14:22 (EDT)

A friend just sent me this ebay link to a very old item from Bensons. There are also some items for sale on ebay express. Didn't know if anyone might be interested.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320097466421&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:US:11

Tom Benson March 24, 2007 16:31:04 (EDT)

Jonh T. was my Great Uncle and that he was. I was going through some of the memorabilia that I treaure regarding Jon T. and the farm. Just for fun I thought I would see if there was anything about the Animal Farm and was greatly surprised and excited to find this site as well as others concerning... (more)

K M March 21, 2007 14:58:02 (EDT)

Great site! Brings back many memories. It is sad to see the "how it looks now" photos :(

Don Lindof March 19, 2007 16:25:37 (EDT)

Came across some old slides (pics) my dad took when I was young. I am guessing I am probably around four or five at the time, which would make it around 1960-61. Remember the fire truck ride?

KMC March 18, 2007 23:16:40 (EDT)

My father sold a Ringling Brothers hand-made miniature circus to Bensen's a year or so before they closed. I'm trying to locate it.

M.H. March 14, 2007 20:15:51 (EDT)

I should have said "modern" plywood. Modern plywood was a product developed during World War II, and specifically due of the war--wars always accelerate development. If you come across early plywood, almost all of it is waffled and cracked, merely from age. It was mostly an adhesives problem... (more)

Michael Hennigan March 10, 2007 18:36:04 (EDT)

For what it's worth, the sign can not be 1930's as stated in the auction. At least not the Gorilla portion, for it's obviously made of plywood. Plywood did not exist until WWII, and was not commercially available until after the War. The sign is probably 1950's. It is a great sign regardless.