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postcard

Catalog Number
2013.36.14
Date of Origin
ca. 1926
Description
Black and white postcard showing Chunky the hippo at Getz Farm, in Park Township.
History
Given in memory of Peggy De Weerd, Holland area resident and wife of the donor. Peggy passed away on June 16, 2011.


George Fulmer Getz was born on December 26, 1863 in Cook County, Illinois. He passed away on February 11, 1938. He arrived in Holland, MI for the first time during the summer of 1910. In time, Mr. Getz purchased ...a total of 253 acres. It was called Lakewood Farm.

Over the next 23 years, Getz exhibited thousands of animals (camels, an elephant, a badger, monkeys, wildcats, an eagle, a lion, chickens, a bear, pigeons) and plants. The farm also contained orchards and greenhouses, a schoolhouse and a dormitory. In 1932 a small fee was charged, for the first time, to enter Lakewood Farm - $.25 per adult and $.10 per child.
In 1933, Getz farm closed its doors. Many animals were sent to Chicago's Brookfield Zoo.

Later, in 1940, Lakewood was subdivided and the ownership of the many cottages and buildings went to a great many families.
Gift of
De Weerd, Erv