Humble beginnings

Niabi Zoo traces its history back to 1959, when local Masonry contractor and animal lover, Gordon V. McLain, opened McLain’s Wild Animal Farm to the public. It operated as a private zoo for several years until Patti S. Wiman (1895 – 1976) purchased the farm and some surrounding land in 1963 and deeded it to the Rock Island County Forest Preserve District, which owns and operates it as a non-profit community attraction to this day.