1904 brought the world's attention to St. Louis and Forest Park. In particular, the Smithsonian Institution's large walk-through bird cage constructed for the World's Fair brought more and varied animals to the park. This piqued the interest of citizens of St. Louis. Ten days after the World's Fair closed they chose to buy the 1904 World's Fair Flight Cage for $3,500 rather than have it dismantled and sent to Washington, D.C. The birds, however, were not included in the financial settlement. Inhabitants of the bird cage and other structures were obtained through donations, but little was done to expand the "zoo" at this time.
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