NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Construction workers building a new dorm at the Belmont University campus have discovered an exotic animal holding area that dates to the 1850s.

Archeologists and historians said they knew the zoo and bear house existed because of an old photo, but they had not been able to locate it until earlier this month.

While building the dorm, they discovered a 23-foot wide, 6.5-foot deep pit on the prominent Acklen family's former land.

Historians said the family used the land to keep exotic pets like bears, monkeys, alligators and a mountain lion.

Remnants of the pen have been removed now to make way for the new dorm, which will open for the fall 2010 semester.