John Brockelsby, lifelong resident of Rapid City, speaks about the beginnings of tourism in Rapid City. John is the son of Earl Brocklesby, who founded Reptile Gardens. Reptile Gardens is a popular animal park and botanic garden south of Rapid City. John talks about the park's start in 1937 to its fame in the 2014 Guinness Book of World Records as the largest reptile zoo. John also recounts memories of growing up in Rapid City, living near Rapid Creek.

Ben Black Elk, Black Hills, Coney Island, Earl Brocklesby, Highway 16, The Hole, Rapid City, Reptile Gardens, tourism, Spring Creek Valley, zoos

Rapid City Oral History Project

11-05-2014

Rapid City Public Library

Historic Rapid City

Rapid City Library Foundation

Rapid City, (S.D.)

John Brockelsby

Kim Morey

Rapid City