Not only are the remains of this once-thriving attraction interesting to explore, but the story behind it is equally intriguing. Coxville Zoo began in 1939 as a gas station and grocery store at the corner of Yager and North Lamar. up groceries. Keep scrolling to see the hauntingly bittersweet ruins for yourself.
Owner Alvin Cox used to bring his pet monkey to work with him, and it was a hit among his customers. In fact, many would return to the store solely for the purpose of playing with the primate rather than getting gas or picking up groceries.
Upon gaining continued publicity and realizing how much of a hit his little critter was, Cox began accumulating a slew of exotic animals and eventually opened his own zoo.
Unfortunately, the zoo had to shut down in 1969 once I-35 was opened to the east and traffic was displaced. Today, Austin remains one of the biggest cities in Texas without an operating zoo!
Coxville still stands, its defunct barns and animal cages covered in graffiti and serving as a haunting yet bittersweet reminder of the laughter and joy that once inhabited the area, gone far too soon.
To see all the ins and outs of what's left of the zoo, check out this video by Dead Explorer on YouTube:
For all of y'all fearless adventurers out there, you can explore the park for yourself by heading east through the woods from the northeastern most baseball diamond in Walnut Creek Park. When you see an old barn come into view, you'll know you're there.
Have you ever explored Coxville Zoo? Are there any other abandoned places in Texas with interesting histories? Let us know!
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