Paul N. Domke, Date of Birth, Date of Death
TweetPaul N. Domke
American businessman
Date of Birth: 31-Dec-1885
Date of Death: 01-Jan-0001
Profession: businessperson
Nationality: United States
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn 
About Paul N. Domke
- Paul N.
- Domke (born December 31, 1885, Moltke Township, Michigan) founded Domke's Prehistorical Gardens (now Dinosaur Gardens Prehistorical Zoo) in 1935 in Ossineke, Michigan.
- This tourist attraction primarily showcases dinosaurs sculpted by Domke, who was a self-trained artist. Paul Nathan Domke was born to Prussian immigrants, Carl and Augusta Domke.
- He attended Wartburg College in Clinton, Iowa from 1903 to 1906, in preparation for seminary study to become a Lutheran pastor.
- However, Domke abandoned his studies after the summer of 1906 and joined the U.S.
- Navy.
- He became a member of the medical corps and for the first two years of his service, he trained on the U.S.S.
- Hartford and worked at the Naval Hospital in Annapolis, Maryland.
- He traveled extensively while in the service. After his stint in the Navy, Domke returned home to Michigan and worked on the family farm.
- In 1913, Domke married a local woman, Lora Schultz.
- The couple lived in Detroit for a while and Domke found work in a painting firm that specialized in decorating churches.
- During the Great Depression, the company folded and Domke found himself out of work.
- He purchased some swampy acreage outside Ossineke to set into motion his dream of self-employment. Domke initially opened a gas station on his land, as it abutted U.S.
- 23, and added some tourist cabins.
- However, his main goal was to create a natural history park.
- Domke stated that, "our country has very elaborate and expensive zoos of our present animal life, but of prehistoric life, although much has been found, only a little has been placed before the general public." So starting in 1935 Domke had his land drained, cleared, and trails constructed in preparation for the park.
- He also began experimenting with various formulas to construct his durable waterproof dinosaurs, with the help of the Huron Portland Cement Company.
- From 1935 to 1976 Domke constructed 24 exhibits at his Prehistorical Gardens.
- This roadside attraction also included a gift shop that sold snacks and souvenirs. Domke sold the Prehistorical Gardens in 1959, yet continued to create new dinosaur installations at the park.
- He was also a prolific oil painter, who as a devout Lutheran often painted on religious themes.
- In 1953 Domke sculpted a large Babe the Blue Ox, which stands next to a Paul Bunyan statue, now located near Ossineke.Domke died on October 27, 1981 at Alpena General Hospital in Alpena, Michigan, aged 95.
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