Hitler is threatening Europe, and world-weary Americans long for wonder. Original giraffe caravan photo from "The New York Sun" 1938 Rutledge had to grasp what it was like to live during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl, with the physical problems and racial situations, to create realistic characters. I had read about the true story of the famous hurricane giraffes when I conducted research for my story on Belle Benchley, but I thank Lynda Rutledge for writing this work of fiction, which left me with the desire to learn more about them. .figcaption {font-size: 75%;} I refuse to give out any spoilers about the novel, but I encourage you to pick it up. And in Vermont, the storm caused a train derailment and uprooted maple trees and apple orchards. Clinics then ran out of typhoid vaccine. There were many reasons giraffes were hard to come by for America's first zoos. This is a good book for the whole family to read. The great hurricane of 1938, which hit on September 21, was the first major hurricane to strike New England since 1869. The History Guy: History Deserves to Be Remembered is the place to find short snippets of forgotten history from five to fifteen minutes long. Empower curiosity about the people, places, and stories of our past. Now the incident is under review. In 1938, the San Diego Zoo acquired two giraffes from east Africa. My sister passed it on to me and knew Id enjoy it. I headed to San Diego and their new zoo, where Id heard that the animals get treated better than the people. At times, he spoke with folksie colloquialisms and the next sentence seemed to be constructed with the aid of a thesaurus. For the purposes of a bibliography entry or footnote, follow this model: Common questions about purchasing historical images from the Wisconsin Historical Society. I dont want this story to evaporate from my memory. In normal conditions this would be a rough trip, especially for temperature-sensitive giraffes, which were placed in crates and forced to endure whatever the high seas threw at them. You can purchase the bow tie worn in this episode at The Tie Bar:https://www.thetiebar.com/?utm_campaign=BowtieLove&utm_medium=YouTube&utm_source=LanceGeiger. West with Giraffes is an endearing, and also heart-rending piece of historical fiction. does the dog die in hondo; dhgate marc jacobs dupe; natural scents for candles. Those Giraffes, caught in a storm that killed hundreds of people, were en route to San Diego, California, and the storm was only the beginning of their cross-country journey. To view this image, visit the Archives Research Room on the 4th floor at the Society Headquarters building in Madison, WI. After examination and treatment, Schroeder deemed the giraffe worth saving and cleared her to make the trip. Two weeks ago last night, Smith, the giraffes and Eddie Seuss, mechanic, started the trek westward, the animals heads sticking out of the top of the crates and astounding motorists from ocean to ocean wondering if they saw it, really. If you like history too, this is the channel for you. Finally, the waves overwhelmed their own house, lifting it off its foundation. All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. } Just finished this wonderful book!! The first part of their journey involved sailing aboard a ship from Africa. It was some time before they found out. All Rights Reserved. My Dad lived through this storm in Westport Mass. I hope to die there, I do. My Grandparents had a Farm in Northern Vermont. The storm totaled about 26,000 automobiles and blew over 20,000 electrical poles. Yes, yes Mr. Ostrich, that is of course exactly what it means. Reporters in the cities and towns theywent through wrote amusing anecdotes about seeing them on the road, the giraffes peering out of their tall windows at the scenery and cars around them. She smelled of fur . [], [] This story was updated in 2018. Amid advertisements for California Fig Syrup and Hoods Sarsaparilla, a glowing 1898 profile of the community of La Mesa by a writer using the initials, J.W., Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSign Up For Our NewslettersSite Map, Copyright 2023, The San Diego Union-Tribune |. [], [] From the New England Historical Society: [], [] 1938 New England Hurricane upended the outhouse at the Israel Putnam farm, and no one seems to have restored it. By extension, might I assume that global warming began in 38? It is history that deserves your help! The XVIII Winter Olympics opened in Nagano, Japan 25 years ago. Above, the steamship Monhegansits at a pier in Providence after sinking during the hurricane. 2.5 stars, *When reading this, one will develop an strong urge to head to the nearest zoo and see giraffes (maybe even feed them; you can at the Colorado Zoo!)*. https://thehistoryguyguild.locals.com/. Smith, who was quick to express his affection for Lofty--the giraffe that didnt kick him--directed that his crate be the first to be unloaded by the whirring, grinding, chug-chugging crane. After 12 days, before it could reach the Bahamas, it turned northward, skimming the East. Subscribe for more forgotten history: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4sEmXUuWIFlxRIFBRV6VXQ?sub_confirmation=1. Footage of two giraffes transported on the highway before they died 22,066 views Aug 5, 2014 20 Dislike Share Save Alberton Record 941 subscribers This incident caused a stir on social media,. Also, it's well researched with a "Historical Notes" section at the end that's informative and the research is never heavy-handed within the text. The accomplishment topped off what turned out to be a very successful year for the zoo. This fictional tale is based on the true story and was so beautifully written that it will be remembered for a long time. I would give this book ten stars if possible. Visual materials in the Archives do not circulate and must be viewed in the Society's Archives Research Room. Oct. 25, 2022 4:50 AM PT In October 1938 the first breeding pair of giraffes arrived at the San Diego Zoo from east Africa. Seattle, WA: Lake Union Publishing. @media screen { One of the aspects of the novel I enjoyed the most was the depiction of Belle Benchleysweet but tough, and highly respected. : https://thehistoryguyguild.locals.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHistoryGuyYT/Please send suggestions for future episodes: Suggestions@TheHistoryGuy.net. The stormblew down so many trees that paper mills processed them for nine years. San Diego Zoo Centennial Timeline: 1938. https://www.sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org/timeline/1938/1938/ (accessed 2/9/2021). The first book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed the topic, the setting and the giraffes!! Growing fame. The storm hit seven days after I was born in Northampton, Mass. But the author does a magnificent job. Riley Jones is hired to handle the giraffes and get them across the country. Peter Haden / WLRN. San Diego's Hurricane Giraffes | In 1938, the merchant steamer SS Robin Goodfellow was caught in the Great New England Hurricane. The History Guy: History Deserves to Be Remembered is the place to find short snippets of forgotten history from five to fifteen minutes long. @media print { I was 7 yrs old and I remember getting out of school late afternoon. Parts of downtown Providence were under 14 feet of water, with people sheltering on the second and third floors of buildings. 1947. it was the main character that i could not bring myself to like. What a delightful story! [] years earlier, The New England Hurricane of 1938, one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history, had struck without warning and killed more []. img#wpstats{display:none} 2 vols. On board the ship were some unique passengers: two Giraffes. outline:none; Author Lynda Rutledge found inspiration for this story while browsing the San Diego Zoo archives and includes a number of the original articles in her book. Good story line well written. border: none; document.documentElement.classList.add( Lofty and Patches. San Diego Zoo: 100 Years. In The Zoo. A Cherry & Webb employee drowned during the Hurricane of 1938 while trying to rescue the stores furs in the Providence stores [], [] waves in the hopes ofreaching the Pendleton, an oil tanker that had snapped in two during the fierce storm. West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge was inspired by the true story of two giraffes in 1938 that "survived a hurricane at sea, then were driven cross-country for 12 days in little more than a tricked-out pickup truck to become the first giraffes in Southern California." Who was the editor on this one? mastro's downtown los angeles opening date. It is clear from Belle Benchleys memoir that she had a wonderful relationship with many of her keepers, particularly Charley Smith. Wisconsin Historical Society Archives, 4th Floor, Madison, Wisconsin. This is one of the most unusual and heartwarming road-trip/animal adventure/love stories I have ever read. Lofty and Patches became national figures when they made the last lap of the journey from south eastern Africa a transcontinental trip from New York by truck. Orphaned during the Dust Bowl, he found his way to New York to work for a distant cousin. The story begins with a centenarian named Woodrow Wilson Woody Nickel sitting in his nursing home watching a TV documentary on the near extinction of giraffes and other endangered species in Africa. The Great 1938 Hurricane took almost everyone by surprise. Baby Giraffes from Africa Reach San Diego Zoo. Los Angeles Times (October 27, 1938): 14. Cleaning up timber damaged by the Great 1938 Hurricane took years. War, recession and lousy farmland created other ghost [], [] would ever be picked and that no ax ever be used. Wendy Eckart. My Mother remembers a tree falling through their roof in North Conway, NH. vertical-align: middle; There is no real bluffing and nothing underhanded between Charley Smith and me nor is there between any of us; we are all working for one end, here in the Zoo, though perhaps by different methods. /* If html does not have either class, do not show lazy loaded images. In Hartford, the river reached 35.4 feet, 19.4 feet above flood stage. This image is issued by the Wisconsin Historical Society. display: none; Photo courtesy Archives and Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, University of Connecticut Libraries. Woody happens to be standing nearby when a cargo ship that had two giraffes aboard (who were bound for the San Diego Zoo), arrives at shore after disastrous damage to the ship. The National [], The Great 1938 Hurricane, A Once-In-A-Lifetime Storm, Cherie Burns. Im so glad you enjoyed it! lofty and patches giraffes 1938. font-weight: 600; 1938: Giraffes Lofty and Patches arrive (survived a hurricane on the journey to the United States) 1940: Benchley publishes My Life in a Man-Made Jungle; 1941: Dr. Harry Wegeforth dies at the age of 59; zoo plants its own garden to save money during the war .printfriendly { President Franklin Roosevelt ordered theCivilian Conservation Corpsand theWorks Progress Administrationto clean up the mess. Lofty and Patches lived at the San Diego Zoo for nearly 30 years. Funny in many parts. 1938, near the Cape Verde Islands. That historical event inspired this fictional story starring an experienced zoo keeper, a 17 year old orphan, an aspiring photo journalist and 2 giraffes. Instead of running away from the crazed primate, she stretched out her arms and caught it in mid-air and carried it back to its pen. All the kids screaming,its the end of the world.. As one of the most costly hurricanes to hit the U.S. mainland, it caused damage later estimated at $308 million. For the in-depth story, see The San Diego Zoo: The Founding Era, 1916-1953 Three giraffe subspecies are housed at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park (as of July 2016; Amanda Lussier, personal communication): What we called highways were barely tolerable for transporting people much less chauffeuring giraffes. she was such a sweet grandmotherly type. Photo courtesy Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection. .printfriendly.pf-alignright { Houses washed off their foundations, like the one above that landed in the Cape Cod Canal. https://thehistoryguyguild.locals.com/. Her debut novel "Faith Bass Darling's Last Garage Sale" won the 2013 Writers League of Texas Novel of the Year and was adapted as a major French film starring Catherine Deneuve (French title: "La Dernire Folie de Claire Darling") released in 2019 in France and around the world through 2020. a really sweet coming-of-age story that combines american history, animal friends, and a cross-country roadtrip. [], [] Sailing master Joseph Kemp compared the Portland Gale to the Great Hurricane of 1938. The Great 1938 Hurricane washed homes off their foundations. They were finally able to leave quarantine on October 10, 1938. The storm developed near the Cape Verde Islands on September 9, tracking across the Atlantic and up the Eastern Seaboard. San Diego, CA: Zoological Society of San Diego. Life Magazine is a photographic magazine chronicling the 20th Century. However, as soon as she was upright the crew could see that her left rear ankle was severely injured. Lofty and Patches became national figures when they made the last lap. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. cursor: pointer; Advice from the sidelines urged him to try ham and eggs. To see newsreel footage of the Great 1938 Hurricane, click here. It's harder to imagine hauling two of them across the United States during the Dust Bowl. Write by: . But when she was angry she made Mount Vesuvius seem considerably less dangerous. Sometimes the men even stopped under appropriate food trees and let Lofty and Patchesstretch stretch their necks up for an afternoon snack. Please Contact Us. . Giraffes Proud Parents at the San Diego Zoo. Los Angeles Times (August 28, 1952): 15. */ Two giraffes (later to be called Lofty and Patches) travelled to New York surviving a hurricane at sea. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), his wish for giraffes at the National Zoo, https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/ship/3298.html, https://library.sandiegozoo.org/sdzg-history-timeline/#1930, http://timeline.sandiegozoo100.org/1930/1930-3/, https://www.sandiegozoo100.org/100-animals/lofty-and-patches, https://www.sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org/timeline/1938/1938/, https://issuu.com/sdzglobal/docs/march_zn. The original caption reads: "7 negatives of D-40 International sold to San Diego zoo to transport 2 giraffes across the continent from New York. Down a winding road out in the middle the hill country, yet only 5 minutes from charming, bustling Fredericksburg, Texas, Rick has brought 3 zoo-born giraffes and 3 zoo-born southern white rhinos to a 100 acre ranch and has opened the first phase of his dream of offering that kind of fun, conservation experience for those of us unable to travel If youd like to read about a wild ride one family took during the storm, click. The three older kids were in school and my mom had to get them out to go home. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. box-shadow: none; Animal Quarantine Station in Athenia, New Jersey, for a federally mandated fifteen-day quarantine. 'jetpack-lazy-images-js-enabled' Browse all issues of Life Magazine in full color and search the full text through Google Books. float: left; Giraffe. Thank you for sharing it the magic of googling. In the novel West with Giraffes, Woody Nickel, is a seventeen-year-old dirt-farm rowdy, pure as a cow pie, cunning as a wild hog bound to escape the Texas Panhandle (and any law enforcement that might be looking for him). . According to Benchley, Our relations as Boss and Man-Friday are ludicrously funny, and when he thinks he is working for me I am overjoyed. Rutledge, Lynda. She was right. } . A San Diego judge had a defendants 13-year-old daughter handcuffed. Above, Bushnell Park in Hartford after the storm. I loved this book! I loved this book from the first page to the very last. Check out our new community for fans and supporters! But was he proud of the two beautiful animals! The 1938 New England Hurricane (also referred to as the Great New England Hurricane and the Long Island Express Hurricane) [1] [2] was one of the deadliest and most destructive tropical cyclones to strike Long Island, New York, and New England. There is not a man now on the animal staff who is not in the work because he would rather be in it than anywhere else in the world, and because he feels that his contribution is important to the Zoo and to the community. According to Ken Stott, a former San Diego Zoo curator, . That is when he locks eyes with the giraffes (Boy and Girl). Hitler is threatening Europe, and world-weary Americans long for wonder. https://thehistoryguyguild.locals.com/This is original content based on research by The History Guy. No one thought of padding their stalls, and they learned bout mal de mer during the last days of the voyage when the big September storm swept the Atlantic coast. Benchley, Belle J. When they finally were in their new house, a picturesque building that resembles a fairy-tale illustration, every connected with the job was ready to fall apart except Mr. and Mrs. As a book junkie, when I receive new book alerts I almost always peruse the titles. Print out this index page and present it to the librarian. Along with the rhino, the food for the giraffes was lost as well. Copyright 2023 The History Guy. The 1938 hurricane was the worst natural disaster in American history a gale that wreaked more death and havoc than either the great Chicago fire or the San Francisco earthquake. They were to be the zoos first giraffes, and the city was excited about the impending arrivals. Im so happy that I found this website to answer my questions about this great book. Explore Jim Widmer's photographs of the Friday fish fry dinner tradition in Wisconsin. The San Diego Zoo: The First Century. The giraffe is in a large crate on the bed of the truck which appears to be inside a building. See and touch history at Historic Sites, Museums and special events, Restore your historic home or property, get tax credits, renovation tips. i loved the idea of the story, a road trip from new york to california with two young giraffes, the only part of the book that is non-fiction. Yesterday at 12:30 Eddie drove the truck through the gates at San Diego zoological gardens and all hands followed it to the mesa where the citys big crane was waiting and the camels were wondering what the heck. No more Maple Groves, no barn, the cows were standing in what used to be their stalls.. The drama is a bit formulaic, as is the dialogue, and sometimes it's a bit sentimental, but it works, so who cares. Awesome The History Guy merchandise is available at:https://teespring.com/stores/the-history-guy, The History Guy: History Deserves to be Remembered, Enjoyed this video? In 1947, the mill still used wood cut from trees downed by the Great 1938 hurricane. Thank you again. Non censuram.Please send suggestions for future episodes: Suggestions@TheHistoryGuy.netThe History Guy: History Deserves to Be Remembered is the place to find short snippets of forgotten history from five to fifteen minutes long. The Great New England Hurricane of 1938 was one of the most destructive and powerful storms ever to strike southern New England. 1997. Smith stayed with the giraffes during their time in quarantine, sleeping beside their stalls, nursing the females injury, and getting to know these towering creatures of Gods pure Eden. After their quarantine was complete, it was time to load the giraffes into their custom-made, heavily padded 12 8 crates, which were large enough for the giraffes to lie down on piles of peat moss and straw. Giraffe to leave his crate was another matter. As they neared the eastern coast of the U.S., the ship was thrashed about in a hurricane, tumbling their crates and washing all their food overboard! During that time they had seven offspring, including aptly named D-Day, born June 6, 1944. It took a week to restore power in Provincetown, and 200 men spent a week trying to open the roads to Newport, R.I. The Great 1938 Hurricane crossed over the tip of Long Island, slammed into New London and raced up the Connecticut River Valley at 50 miles per hour. They find it in two giraffes who miraculously survive a hurricane while crossing the Atlantic. . What happened on that ship during the storm is almost too crazy to be true. Red was an aspiring photojournalist trying to sell her giraffe story to Life magazine. Thank you Lynda Rutledge for researching this story and writing this wonderful fictionalized account!! All Wildlife. .printfriendly.pf-aligncenter { 670 views, 48 likes, 3 loves, 2 comments, 12 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from The History Guy: In 1938, the merchant steamer SS Robin Goodfellow was caught in the Great New England Hurricane. The image should not be significantly altered through conventional or electronic means. In 1938, two giraffes were transported by boat to New York, then by trailer to the San Diego Zoo. . In 1938, America was looking for a feel-good tale to help them through the threat of Hitler in Europe and the continuing Great Depression. display: inline; But when they underestimated an approaching hurricane, at least 250 luckless World War I vets died, caught in the path of the most. This story was updated in 2022. Few paid attention to the stormbarreling up the coast. No images or content are primarily intended to shock and disgust. 1. Get help and learn more about the design. 1923 campaign for safe and sane driving in San Diego urged citizen vigilance in reporting traffic violations. West with Giraffes. Little did anyone now that in September 1938, during the final few days of their trip, these animals bound for San Diego would encounter what was then the most devastating hurricane to hit the upper East Coast, killing nearly 700 people. Amazingly, one of the crew saw the female giraffe move, so they covered and protected her as the storm raged on. Lynda Rutledge, a lifelong animal lover, has had the joy of petting baby rhinos, snorkeling with endangered turtles, and strolling with a tower of giraffes as a freelance journalist while winning awards for her fiction. She was presumed dead while every precaution was taken to protect the male. A treasure for sure. According to the National Weather Service,a storm surge of 12 to 15 feet destroyed most coastal homes, yacht clubs and marinas on Narragansett Bay. Traveling shows displayed them as early as 1837; however, they were difficult to capture and transport, making them expensive to procure. The blowdowns posed a dilemma: What to do with enough woody debris to nearly fill Rhode Island? It brought down 20,000 miles of power and telephone lines. that's really only 2-1/2 stars. Hitler is threatening Europe, and world-weary Americans long for wonder. But by 1925 there were reportedly only five giraffes in the entire country. -webkit-box-shadow: none; Image-purchasing questions? } It was a wonderful novel. They were on their way to San Diego Zoo in California. Volume 1: The Founding Era, 19161953. .fun to weave the book with your stellar research! .printfriendly.pf-alignleft { Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. . He tried alfalfa and molasses. Photo courtesy NOAA/NWS. color: #3AAA11 !important; Many zoos simply werent willing to take the risk or didnt have the funds. display: none; . New York: Scribner. Thank you! 1938 hurricane giraffes The Great 1938 Hurricane crossed over the tip of Long Island, slammed into New London and raced up the Connecticut River Valley at 50 miles per hour. (And New York would not experience one as destructive until Hurricane Sandy in 2012.) "As the country teeters between a depression and Europe's looming war, a pair of giraffes, survivors of a hurricane at sea, left a wake of much-needed cheer while driven cross-country to the San Di. It's hard to imagine a time when most of the population had never seen a giraffe. I have been recommending it to everyone! Even up there the damage was great. > waynesville, mo police reports > 1938 hurricane giraffes. Stephenson, Lynda Rutledge. Genome Reveals Clues to Giraffes' "Blatantly Strange" Body Shape. He called me pickle puss and remembered me when I brought my 4 children to meet him. Glover/Barton VT to be precise. The damage was horrific. Those Giraffes, caught in a storm that killed hundreds of people, were en route to San Diego, California, and the storm was only the beginning of their cross-country journey. Generous contributions from supporters allow The History Guy team to continue creating the snippets of forgotten history that have been seen by viewers all around the world. . border: none; Smith lured him with an acacia branch. The Great Depression lingers. z-index: 1000; position: relative Erosion from the Great 1938 hurricane. Photo courtesy Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection. Total cost of the storm for the East End of Long Island alone was estimated to be $6.2 million (1938) Almost 50 . Another regular occurrence, this one fictional, was the sighting of a fancy green Packard, driven by a redhead full of determination. Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel Publishing. In 1938, 2 hurricanes survived the Great Hurricane and needed to be transported across the US from NY to the San Diego Zoo. SUBJECTS Animals Clothing and dress Hats Automobile industry and trade Indoor photography Men Zoos Delivery of goods Signs and symbols Automobiles Transportation Trucks How to Purchase a Copy Buy The Image For commercial or non-profit use, please contact Image Sales. Of course, I knew your zoo history background already, so I was delighted to see your additions to this beautiful story. Another awesome animal book! With horrible writing. DeLeon, Clark. Looks like a granny, dresses like a schoolmarm, swears like a sailor, and still charms snooty zoo galoots with their fancy educations. Rutledge even includes reference to Benchleys encounter with an escaped baboon. . Non censuram. and ocean . They prepared to transport the animals across the country to San Diego, in the tall, oddly shaped crates that had been custom built for the purpose. On board the ship were some unique passengers: two Giraffes. Taken on September 22, 1938, the day after the category-3 "Great Hurricane" of 1938 struck Old Lyme, the image focuses on the upturned roots of a monumental tree that dwarfs the wood-framed house behind it. } All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. The hurricane blew the house pictured above onto railroad tracks. Pictures taken just after unloading from ship.". View this selection of cartoons by William Donahey. (Side note: these events occurred one year after young Nicky Arundel got his wish for giraffes at the National Zoo.). My grandparents were on their honeymoon and when they returned to Salem, CT from Niagra Falls, the whole region was in disarray. Local Woman Names Newly Arrived Giraffes. Escondido (CA) Times-Advocate (October 28, 1938): 6. } My grandpa later worked on a boat called Allert I have a picture of him on it in the 50s I think. Thank you for such an amazing story! .wp-block-image figcaption {text-align: center; font-size: 75%}, As the country teeters between a depression and Europes looming war, a pair of giraffes, survivors of a hurricane at sea, left a wake of much-needed cheer while driven cross-country to the San Diego Zoo, where lady zoo director Mrs. Belle Benchley awaited.. What follows is a twelve-day road trip in a custom truck to deliver Southern California's first giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. The animals were loaded onto the S.S. Robin Goodfellow in Mombasa, British East Africa (present-day Kenya), for a 52-day, 3,200-mile journey to the coast of New York. No images or content are primarily intended to shock and disgust. Benchley recalled, I have never seen anyone so tired and relieved as Charley Smith when he drove the great awkward truck through the zoo gate, half an hour after phoning me from a suburb. One question I have, since way back in the early sixties I was licked on the nose by a giraffe at the San Diego Zoo. News of the storm-tossed ship had reached reporters, and they gathered on the dock to get the story. Begin or dive deeper into researching your family tree, Learn about the spaces, places, & unique story of your community, The largest North American Heritage collection after the Library of Congress.