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. Phaxas pellucidus  Phaxas pellucidus, the transparent razor shell, is a species of marine bivalve mollusc in the family Pharidae. It is found buried in the seabed in coastal waters of northwest Europe, often in great numbers. "P. pellucidus" is a very small razor shell seldom exceeding in length. The colour is cream or dull white, sometimes with reddish markings. The periostracum is olive-coloured and glossy. The two elongated valves are fragile and equal in size. The dorsal side of each is straight while the ventral side is slightly curved giving a pod-like appearance. The anterior end is rounded while the posterior end is slightly truncate. There are fine sculptured lines parallel to the margins, which are themselves smooth. The ligament joining the valves is external and located close to the beaks which are very close to the anterior end. "Pharus legumen" is a somewhat similar species but it can be distinguished by its larger size and more cylindrical outline and the differences in the hinge teeth.