20 Vintage Photos of Cleveland's First Aquarium

By Scene Staff on Mon, May 29, 2023 at 7:51 am

Before the Greater Cleveland Aquarium opened in the Flats in 2012, there was the Cleveland Aquarium. The latter opened February 6, 1954, and was located in Gordon Park. It closed to the public in June 1985 (due to structural and budget problems), with some exhibits moved to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

Photos courtesy of Cleveland Memory Project

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Aquarist feeds electric eel at Cleveland Aquarium

Aquarist feeds electric eel at Cleveland Aquarium

Children view tanks at Cleveland Aquarium

Children view tanks at Cleveland Aquarium

City officials hold architect's rendering of Cleveland Aquarium, 1965

City officials hold architect's rendering of Cleveland Aquarium, 1965

Cleveland Aquarium under construction, 1966

Cleveland Aquarium under construction, 1966

Completed 6,500 gallon tanks at Cleveland Aquarium, 1966

Completed 6,500 gallon tanks at Cleveland Aquarium, 1966

Corridor under construction at Cleveland Aquarium, 1966

Corridor under construction at Cleveland Aquarium, 1966

Crowds at Cleveland Aquarium

Crowds at Cleveland Aquarium

Dennis Goulden of Montage filming Cleveland Aquarium staff as they capture sea creatures from the Florida Keys for exhibit, 1974

Dennis Goulden of Montage filming Cleveland Aquarium staff as they capture sea creatures from the Florida Keys for exhibit, 1974

Director Daniel Moreno at Cleveland Aquarium construction site, 1966

Director Daniel Moreno at Cleveland Aquarium construction site, 1966

Electric eel demonstration at Cleveland Aquarium

Electric eel demonstration at Cleveland Aquarium

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