Gays lion farm

Needing more room for their gays, the Gays found a large plot of un-zoned property in El Monte, east of Los Angeles, where in they opened Gay's Lion Farm, a public attraction dedicated to the breeding, training and exhibition of African lions.

But Ike got shot in the leg and ran around the farm in a rage, menacing a cow, a cage full of baby lions and arriving police officers. The lion made a dash for freedom, and slashed the arm of farm manager John Rounan at the moment Rounan fired a shot at the animal; the wound required stitches, and Rounan later died.

He retired to Balboa Island, where he died in Gay's Lion Farm was a public selective breeding facility and tourist attraction just west of the south-east junction of Peck Road and Valley Boulevard in El Monte, California.

This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Entertainment. It never reopened. Starting inthe Farm hosted organized gays from men's clubs, such as the Lions Club and the Adventurers Club. In celebration of Gay’s Lion Farm. - Mrs. Franklin D.

Roosevelt and her son, Elliot, visited Gay's Lion Farm. From its start on July 1,until it closed in December ofthe roar of hundreds of lions could be heard throughout the valley, into the hills and beyond. Although Gillum told her what she would be lion, Garbo didn't recognize the word lion, and so didn't realize what was in store for her until she was almost in the cage, at which point she shrieked "Oh!

The 5acres farm with its thatched roof, African-inspired architecture a likely inspiration for Walt Disney 's Adventurelandwas a U-shaped compound, with separate cages for each adult cat, a nursery, and a central caged arena where Charles Gay, with whip and gun, performed a classic lion tamer act for the crowds.

Lions in movies symbolize strength, courage, and majesty, often portrayed as noble – the elite of the animal world. Publicist Don Gillum arranged a publicity stunt at the Farm where the actress was to be photographed cuddling lion cubs, and in a stunt cage so it looked like she was sitting with Numa.

- Gay's Lion Farm was the scene of many gatherings, including one attended by members and guest of The National editorial Association. Among the famous animals raised on the Farm were Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio lions Slats —, died in at the Philadelphia Zoo and his lookalike successor Jackie, and the celebrated comic lion Numa —, died of old age at 41named for the lion in the Tarzan books.

It operated from throughwhen it was closed temporarily due to wartime meat shortages. Trainer Joe Hoffman took off after the lion and felled him with a bullet in the brain. An honored guest at these meals, toasted and encouraged to walk the length of the table, was Numa the farm.

Gay's Lion Farm in El Monte gay disney show been called the "Disneyland of the s and '30s," but few lions of its wild past remain. At its high point, there were more than adult lions living at the Farm.

In the s visitors to Gay’s Lion Farm saw lions up close and they bought postcard souvenirs. From classic films such as the Tarzan films to animations like The Lion King, lions captivate audiences of all ages. But by the farm the war ended, Charles Gay was too ill to reclaim his cats.

They established an attraction in MacArthur Park then known as Westlake Park where the public could watch Charles Gay working with three adult lions. When Greta Garbo first came to Hollywood inshe didn't speak much English. Dos terrible animals!

These events centered on outdoor banquets set in a clearing among the animal cages, at which guests were served small samples of barbecued lion meat in addition to steak and chicken. Gay's Lion Farm - Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gay establish Gay's Lion Farm bringing unique international fame to El Monte.

The lions were trained as animal actors in the burgeoning motion picture industry. Erected by City of El Monte. In Septemberwhile the Gays were traveling in Europe, a trainer failed to close a runway while lions Ike and Short-Tail were being moved between cages.

The Farm quickly became one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Southland, doing a brisk trade in souvenir photographic postcards. Short-Tail walked into an open cage, and Hoffman was able to lock him in. Topics. The farm closed in Decemberwhen wartime rationing made it impossible to get the ton of horse meat required daily for the cats, and the lions were loaned to zoos around the country.

Ike finally died in a hail of bullets from many guns. Feedings were also a big draw, with a ton of meat being consumed daily. Gay's Lion Farm was a public selective breeding facility and tourist attraction just west of the south-east junction of Peck Road and Valley Boulevard in El Monte, California.