Rolling Hills Zoo’s 25th Anniversary Gallery Show marks significant milestone

The entry to Hideaway Park and the Earl Bane Gallery at Rolling Hills Zoo in rural Saline County. Image courtesy Rolling Hills Zoo

By SALINA POST

This year, Rolling Hills Zoo proudly marks its 25th Anniversary—a significant milestone in its storied history. On October 27, 1999, the gates swung open to welcome the first 255 visitors to a place that would become one of the region's top tourist attractions, bringing to life the dream of Charlie Walker.

Charlie Walker, a prominent Salina businessman, entrepreneur, and avid animal lover, never initially intended to establish a zoo. The story began with the Main Barn, constructed to house his impressive collection of Belgian draft horses, the largest in North America. This unique gathering started to attract curious visitors, and soon, Charlie added exotic animals to the collection, drawing even larger crowds. The undeniable popularity of these animals convinced Charlie that Salina needed a zoo, setting in motion the creation of what would become Rolling Hills Zoo.

The history of The Rolling Hills Zoo is displayed in the Earl Bane Gallery. <b>Image courtesy Rolling Hills Zoo</b> — The history of The Rolling Hills Zoo is displayed in the Earl Bane Gallery. **Image courtesy Rolling Hills Zoo**

In 2019, Rolling Hills Zoo created a display of the zoo's history, including its foundation, who started it and some images to coincide, so the Earl Bane Gallery brings that idea back to the Rolling Hills Zoo museum to celebrate 25 years of history.

"It was our first chance to really tell the Rolling Hills Zoo story in this fashion. It's a question that we get asked numerous times about, 'How did the zoo come to be?' and where it's located and everything. So this is our way of being able to tell that story," said Linda Henderson, the communications director at Rolling Hills Zoo.

Building the zoo was a labor of love and dedication. The vision and name evolved many times before and after the official opening. As Rolling Hills Zoos celebrates its 25th anniversary, a special exhibit in the Earl Bane Gallery offers a fascinating retrospective. This exhibit captures the zoo's humble beginnings with just a barn and a prairie and chronicles the journey to the present day.

Charlie Walker's calliope, a vintage music device that Walker used to take to parades and local events in Salina.<b> Image courtesy Rolling Hills Zoo</b> — Charlie Walker's calliope, a vintage music device that Walker used to take to parades and local events in Salina. Image courtesy Rolling Hills Zoo

Guests will be captivated by photographs of the zoo's first residents, significant milestones, and the journey undertaken in building the zoo and wildlife museum. One of the highlights of this exhibit is Charlie Walker's calliope, which was a star attraction in parades during the early years of the zoo.

Join Rolling Hills Zoo in celebrating this remarkable milestone by visiting the exhibit and exploring the rich history of the Zoo and Wildlife Museum. Discover your wild side and see how Charlie Walker's vision evolved into a beloved institution that has touched countless lives over the past 25 years.

"With the 25th anniversary, not only were we able to continue to tell that story, we were able to tell the last five years, which there have been significant things happening," Henderson said.