Welcome to the GRIZZLY BEAR Dig where you will learn about these amazing animals – and – about GRIZZLY ADAMS, a man who lived with these bears in the wild AND in the city!
Grizzly Adams - the TRUE STORY!: . . . . Tue, Feb 25, 8:59AM PST (-0800 GMT)
WHO WAS GRIZZLY ADAMS ? ……….. One of the most amazing stories of the Backcountry is the life of James Capen Adams, also known as Grizzly Adams. Like many other men who sought to accomplish in California what they could not at home, Adams left his wife and family in the East and headed West to seek his fortune with thousands of others when news of the Gold Rush hit. Adams was a hunter and trapper who lived in the wilderness, collected live wild animals and furs, and eventually founded his own Mountaineer Museum to display them in San Francisco. Adam’s collection of amazing LIVE animals – grizzlies, black bears, wolves, mountain lions, buffalo, elk, and a sea lion, were later sold to P.T. Barnum, of circus fame, with the proceeds going to Adam’s wife and family in the last days of his life.
Grizzly Adams - the TRUE STORY!: . . . . Tue, Feb 25, 8:59AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Grizzly Adams - the TRUE STORY!: . . . . Tue, Feb 25, 9:00AM PST (-0800 GMT)
ODE TO BEN ………………. Grizzly Adams raised a young bear from cub hood to young adult hood. This bear, Ben Franklin, saved James Capen Adam’s life and was a close friend to Adams. Ben Franklin was a beloved resident in the City of San Francisco where he came to make his home in Adam’s museums. When Ben died, January 18, 1858, of an illness for which Adam’s could find no cure, San Franciscans joined in mourning their loss. The following obituary was published in the Evening Bulletin, under the title “Death of a Distinguished Native Californian”. …………………“Ben Franklin, the grizzly bear, the favorite of the Museum man Adams … departed from this mortal existence on Sunday evening, at 10 o’clock. The noble brute, which was captured at the head waters of the Merced river in 1854, had been raised by his master from a cub, and during his life manifested the most indubitable indications of remarkable sagacity and affection. He was ever tame and gentle … although possessed of the size and strength of a giant … He accompanied his master on hunting expeditions… and on two occasions saved his life in long and desperate struggles with savage animals in the wilds. He frequently carried his master’s pack, provisions and weapons; frequently shared his blanket and fed from the same loaf.”
Grizzly Adams - the TRUE STORY!: . . . . Tue, Feb 25, 9:00AM PST (-0800 GMT)
DIG CHALLENGE #1 – Why did John Capen Adams come to the West and live in the California Backcountry?
Grizzly Adams - the TRUE STORY!: . . . . Tue, Feb 25, 9:00AM PST (-0800 GMT)
DIG CHALLENGE #2 – Who became his unusual friend in the Backcountry and how many times did this friend save the life of ‘Grizzly Adams’?
Grizzly Adams - the TRUE STORY!: . . . . Tue, Feb 25, 9:01AM PST (-0800 GMT)
DIG CHALLENGE #3 – What animal is pictured on the California Flag ?
Grizzly Adams - the TRUE STORY!: . . . . Tue, Feb 25, 9:01AM PST (-0800 GMT)
DIG CHALLENGE #4 – What other animals from the Backcountry were part of the Grizzly Adams Museum and then show with the traveling circus of PT Barnum?
Grizzly Adams - the TRUE STORY!: . . . . Tue, Feb 25, 9:01AM PST (-0800 GMT)
DIG CHALLENGE #5 – What happened to the Grizzly Bears of California? button
Grizzly Adams - the TRUE STORY!: . . . . Tue, Feb 25, 9:01AM PST (-0800 GMT)
DIG CHALLENGE #6 – Where do Grizzly bears live now ? How many live in this park ? What color and size are they? button