The Bird House was begun in 1930. Prior to this time, birds had been kept in the Portland Cement building, a relic of the World's Fair. The building had also been the location for the veterinary hospital and offices.
With the coming of the Depression, the pace of construction slowed, although the lion show started in 1933. Four years later, an elephant show and a sea lion show began. In 1935, the Antelope House was built with the help of the Civil Works Administration. The building consisted of a metal frame and metal lath onto which gunite was sprayed, forming imitation boulders. Two years later other barless animal units were constructed, following the pattern of the Antelope House.
In 1939 the Zoo became the home of Happy and Pao Pei, two giant pandas who resided at the Small Mammal Pits. That same year the Ape House was constructed. It was considered a landmark in its time; it had large cages for gorillas, chimps and other apes. The visitors outside could look through the glass walls, which were raised in fine weather, leaving only bars. The adjoining chimp arena with its moated and barless stage was finished in 1941. It was the first major arena at the Zoo. This was the year Phil the Gorilla arrived.
The late 1940s and 1950s brought the demand for more parking other than on the street. The South and North Lots were built to help alleviate the problem. A sad note came in 1948 with the death of Miss Jim at the age of 70.
The Stupp Memorial Pheasantry and the lion arena, now the Sea Lion Arena, were built in 1954. Three years later, the Elephant House, followed by its arena and moated yards, was constructed.
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