Career
She was an author of two children"s books Opened in 1890, Elitch Zoological Gardens offered a unique cultural experience in the west. Her first husband, John Elitch was a restaurateur that shared a dream with her for a cultural resort for the city of Denver.
Bringing wild animals, flowers, plants, theatre, music, dancing, food, amusements, and families together.
He unexpectedly died in 1891 before the park"s second season. Mary assumed management and successfully ran the park.
In 1897 she began the Elitch Garden Stock Company. In 1916 she was forced to sell Elitch Gardens to John Mulvihill.
Thomas Long died in an automobile accident in 1920.
Mary lived in the gardens until she died on July 16, 1936 at 80yrs old.