John Elitch managed the restaurant in the California Theatre, where he met many entertainers and businessmen. He also met a young usher, Mary Hauck, whom he later married in 1873 in their hometown San Jose, CA. John shared a dream with Mary Elitch Long to become a zookeeper at a wonderful resort with a theatre. In 1880, he arrived in Denver, CO to work at friends' restaurants saving money. In early 1881 John hiked across the Conejos Range in Colorado to reach the booming town of Durango, Colorado before the train tracks were laid. He opened a very successful restaurant that he sold to later open other restaurants in Denver, Colorado. In 1884 he was key in the founding of the Denver Athletic Club. After five years searching he purchased a 16-acre farm in the Western Denver Highlands. Although the farm was intended to supply his restaurants with fresh produce, instead John and Mary decided to follow a dream to transform the land into a magical cultural resort with a zoo, plants, flowers, musicians, and a theater for his entertainment friends. Three years later, together they opened the gates to Elitch Zoological Gardens on May 1, 1890. Many famous friends of John Elitch were in attendance on opening day including P.T. Barnum who donated many of the animals for the zoo. Elitch Gardens was a huge success that John and Mary poured their hearts and souls into. After the gates closed for the first season, the work began for the next year. John Elitch left in the winter to tour the west coast with a vaudeville troupe. Unexpectedly John Elitch caught pneumonia and died on March 10, 1891, with Mary at his side. She decided to return to Denver, CO alone and opened the gates to Elitch Gardens, continuing a tradition, in the memory of John Elitch. The Historic Elitch Theatre is the only standing building left from opening day. Many of John Elitch's friends came to perform at the Elitch Theatre including Eugene O'Neill, Charles Goodyear, and Sarah Bernhardt after his death. The Elitch Theatre became America's Oldest Summer Stock Theatre and home for thousands of actors between Hollywood and Broadway. Although the park has changed owners, an agreement still stands that it always keep the Elitch name. Mary Elitch Long was allowed to live in her home in the gardens until her death. The Original Elitch Gardens closed in 1994 and reopened in its current downtown location in 1995.
