B.P.O.E. Lodge 944, Ashland Oregon

Who Is Teddy?

The Elks originally purchased Teddy from a California game farm and presented him to the city of Ashland. The city housed him in a pen at the upper end of the old Lithia park zoo. Over the years Teddy became quite an attraction and drew many visitors.

As old age set in, he became treacherous and mean-spirited. It was then decided that Teddy should live out his remaining days in the wild. He was taken to Ashland Gap and released. However, as the story goes, the wilds were not to Teddy’s liking and he was waiting for his benefactors at his pen gate when they returned to town. After all, Teddy was a game park animal and had never lived in the wild.

According to an item in the Medford Mail Tribune dated January 11, 1936, Teddy was returned to the Ashland Elks Lodge in 1936, after he turned on the zoo keeper and inflicted injuries that led to the man’s death.

Teddy was taken to the old processing plant on Oak street and humanely put to rest. The Ashland Elks had Teddy’s hide stuffed and mounted, and his meat provided the Lodge Brothers with four large barbecue banquets that year.

Since 1936, Teddy has been on display at the Ashland Elks Lodge. he survived the 1968 fire, which caused considerable damage to the Elks' home, and he has been the centerpiece on Elks Lodge floats for several 4th of July parades. Teddy shows the wear of years, and sheds profusely when moved or disturbed. However, he will probably continue to occupy his space at Ashland Lodge #944 for many more years.

(Text taken from Teddy's pedestal).