This family-oriented South Dakota attraction was founded by 21-year-old reptile enthusiast Earl Brockelsby, and began as a one-man-show that officially opened its doors on June 3, 1937.
Although a fire in 1976 destroyed the Sky Dome, and a flood in 1977 caused water damage throughout the facility, the Reptile Gardens is still a family-owned and -operated business that houses more species of reptiles than any other zoo or park in the world [REF].