Richmond's Putt-Putt is gone. Its elephant's fate is up in the air
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The Putt Putt elephant is gone. Image: Courtesy of Richard Hayes at RVAHub
Demolition is underway at the former Putt-Putt Fun Center on Midlothian Turnpike, and the fate of its giant elephant is unclear.
Why it matters: For more than 50 years, the Midlo Putt-Putt was a rite of passage for generations of Richmonders.
Context: The Fun Center opened in the early 1970s with mini-golf and arcade games and eventually grew to include bumper boats and go-karts.
- But it was best known for its mini-golf and the menagerie of creatures around its course.
- The destination closed in February 2025.
Fun fact: The elephant's final destination may be unknown, but the giraffe and zebra have been re-homed at the Putt-Putt in Burlington, North Carolina, staffers at that location confirmed to Axios.
- And Richmonders are more than welcome to make the 3.5-hour trek to visit Gerald Giraffe and Zaymion Zebra, they added.
- Putt-Putt corporate and the new property owner didn't respond to Axios' inquiries about the elephant.
What's next: A self-storage facility from the D.C.-based firm that bought the $1.3 million property is set to rise in its place, per Chesterfield property and permit records.
What we're watching: Facebook Marketplace for elephant listings.