The land was originally part of a large tract owned by a single family, but in 1902, 75 of those acres were sold to the Columbus Zoological Company. The company established one of the first zoos in Columbus, known as "The Zoo", that failed after only five months, opening in May and closing in November of 1905. In 1906, Joseph A. Jeffrey acquired the land, and created a suburban estate named "Beechwalde". He built the two oldest houses in the district. The former monkey house can still be seen on the property of 150 West Beechwold Boulevard where it is used as a barn. The zoo's original brick entrance can also be seen on North High Street at Beechwold Road.