Since 1908, Denverites have been flocking to Lakeside Amusement Park in the town (yes, town! Population: 16 persons) of Lakeside, Colorado.
Lakeside Amusement Park (sometimes referred to as "White City," as in this Colorado Transcript newspaper article) opened on May 30, 1908, to a crowd of 50,000. Amazingly, the park has only changed ownership twice during its long history. The Lakeside Realty and Amusement Company, originally led by brewery magnate Adolph Zang, sold the park to Benjamin Krasner in 1935. Mr. Krasner's daughter, Rhoda, owns the park today.
Why was Lakeside Amusement Park once referred to as "White City?" During the early part of the 20th century, there were several White City amusement parks scattered throughout the United States, Great Britain, and Australia. The name "White City" originated at Chicago's Columbian Exposition of 1893, which featured amusement rides nestled among the exposition's neoclassical buildings awash in white Plaster of Paris.
Today, a trip to Lakeside is a stroll through a bygone era. Although the swimming beach, casino, theatre, race track, and public pool are no longer in operation, many classic rides survive, including the Cyclone coaster, the Wild Chipmunk, and the miniature train that circles Lake Rhoda.
Click HERE to view a gallery of historic Lakeside Amusement Park images from our photo collection. Be sure to view this gallery the next time you visit Lakeside—and prepare to be amazed by how many of the park's 20th-century buildings and rides live on.
[Want to learn more? We recommend David Forsyth's Denver's Lakeside Amusement Park: From the White City Beautiful to a Century of Fun]
Comments
Thanks for commenting, Donna!
Thanks for commenting, Donna! If you are interested in donating the postcard, please proceed by following the steps outlined in our Donor Packet:
https://history.denverlibrary.org/sites/history/files/SCA-Donor-Packet.pdf
Thank you, Donna!
Just went there today and it
Just went there today and it’s great it old fashioned but they don’t make them like they used to for a 100 + year old park it’s the best like going back in time awesome
It definitely is a lovely
It definitely is a lovely walk back in time! Thanks for reading, Edward!
i sat on the bench and played
i sat on the bench and played piano and sang songs with none other than Ray Charles i dont know if it was his last visit to the park it wasnt mine. i have nothing but fine memories of lakeside. even though i was there for the doom of the racetrack. It seems the park has a way of surviving because of the love the family that has owned it has given for all to enjoy.
I love Lakeside Amusement
I love Lakeside Amusement Park and hope it will always be here in Denver. I used to get so excited driving up Sheridan with my mom and dad and seeing all the lights on the entrance tower (such a beautiful tower it is!)!! The park was beautiful and still is. It just needs a little sprucing up. What great memories I had there and my mother told me of her fond memories when she was younger. PLEASE, NEVER CLOSE THIS HISTORICAL PLACE!
The pool was burned down to
The pool was burned down to prevent black people from riding the trolley in. This I know because my grandmother remembers the whole thing. It cracks me up that it is now the Cinco De Mayo hot spot and the lack of white people to this day says something about how the racists shot themselves in the foot...yes they did.
Thanks for reading and
Thanks for reading and commenting! I'd like to research the pool fire further. Does your grandmother happen to remember around what year this occurred? Thank you!
the restoration is underway
the restoration is underway all power lines all now underground ,new spider, new coaster parking lot is done auto scooter the whip the carrousel all getting refurbished 1 steam train done one getting refurbished
All styles of dance were
All styles of dance were available in Brisbane and the variety of arenas available made it possible for dancers to choose the venue they could best afford to attend Best wishes from "https://www.tntdanceworks.com.au"
Work there back in 1971 at
Work there back in 1971 at tha fun house. Went mening time's to race track. And amusement park mening time's.
Add new comment