The curious name itself, 'Otterspool', derives from the Old English 'Otirpul' or 'Oterpol' - named due to the otters that inhabited the tidal creek and freshwater pools formed where a stream joined the River Mersey. For centuries, the 'Otter's Pool' was a prized fishery, where all kinds of fish were caught including an abundance of salmon which once ventured into the small inland creek at a point where the Oskelesbrok flowed into the River Mersey. This brook was known as the River Jordan by Puritans who lived in the area and the name of Jericho Road at Otterspool is also an indication that they were there. The water in the brooks and creeks was used to power mills, including a snuff mill.
Otterspool House was a grade II listed building situated on Otterspool Lane, and was constructed by John Moss circa 1812 with beautiful views across the River Mersey. John Moss was born in St. Anne Street, Liverpool on the 16th of February 1782, the son of Thomas Moss, a timber merchant from Whiston with a flourishing business near Salthouse Dock and who had many interests outside of timber, including land. He joined his father's merchant firm in 1803 and when Thomas died at his house in St. Anne Street he left his 23 year old son a flourishing business which John expanded when he founded the banking firm of Moss, Dales & Rogers in 1807. Using his legacy, John Moss (junior) acquired the Otterspool estate about 1811 where he had a house built. Once he had settled at Otterspool he went into partnership with a George Forwood, the grandfather of Sir Arthur Forwood, and turned a Snuff Mill, erected in 1779 along with workmen’s cottages, into an oil mill. He also had embankments built along the river edge to allow barges direct access to the factory.
In 1914 a lease was taken on the Otterspool House and Grounds and it appears that Otterspool House was resided in by James Conrad Cross, the son of William Cross and the brother of William Simpson Cross who had taken over and expanded his father's business. In March 1915 it was announced in the newspapers that Cross's Menagerie was moving to Otterspool House and by July 1915 the Gardens themselves were opened to the Public but there was no mention in the advert that there were animals at this time. By July 1916 Cross's Zoo Otterspool was opened within the Gardens with an admission price of 6d. and here there were Timber Wolves, Tropical Birds, Baboons, Mandrill, Ostriches, Llamas, Bears, Anteaters and Monkeys In October that year the Lion House was completed and Lions were installed. Between 1917 and 1930 many more animal were added to the collection and the reported name of the establishment fluctuated between Cross's Zoo to Cross's Zoo and Menagerie until finally, in 1930, the last report states it was called Otterspool (Liverpool) Zoological Gardens. William Simpson Cross passed away on the 10th of May 1920 with his residence at his time of death being Otterspool House. The closure of the Zoo / Menagerie came about in 1930 as Liverpool Corporation who had bought the estate were turning Otterspool Gardens into a Public Park (Otterspool Park) and the house was demolished in 1931. All that remains today is the balustrade which used to fringe the terrace with the site of the house now occupied by the former park café.
see also :- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2022/10/historic-liverpool-dwellings-moss-house.html
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