Arkansas Alligator Farm and Petting Zoo

The alligator farm was founded in 1902 by Mr. H.L.Campbell and sold to Mr. Donny S.  Older between the years of 1902 and 1929. It was known as the Hot Springs " Gator " Farm with over 1500  alligator Missippians and a small museum.

The Alligator Farm was started because of the need for some type of tourist attraction due to the great  influx of  people who at this time came to take the Hot Thermal Baths,and there were no attractions other than the natural  resources. The reasoning behind the origination of the Alligator Farm was due to the fact that the alligators are  native and are found in South Arkansas between Hope and Texarkana in an area known as Grassy Lake.

In 1945, the farm was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Jack Bridges, Sr., and the name became The Arkansas Alligator  Farm with the addition of other animals such as monkeys, raccoons, big logger-head turtles, and a gift shop.In  1965, the farm was purchased by Jack Bridges, Jr. and his wife Sue who presently operate the attraction with  many added attractions such as a petting zoo with whitetail deer, ostrich, llamas, fallow deer, rheas, sheep, and  pygmy goats. Feed is furnished to feed animals. There are also raccoons,albino raccoon, several types of  primates, Arkansas mt. lions,  wild ducks,  other fowl, and a small museum. You can also pet a real live alligator  with the help of a highly trained alligator farm employee.