1914: Caliph Murphy II, the Hippo That Saved the Central Park Lion House » Arsenal
The Arsenal was built between 1847 and 1851 as a storehouse for arms and ammunition for the New York State Militia. The building and surrounding 10 acres was purchased by the city in 1856 for $275,000 as part of the new 843-acre Central Park. Although
Parks Commissioner Cabot Ward ordered the vine-covered Arsenal torn down in 1915, the building still stands, and now houses the offices of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and the Central Park Wildlife Conservation Center.
Central Park Arsenal
