The park was named after a very large swimming pool which was opened on the site in 1920. The pool eventually declined in popularity as home swimming pools became popular and after courts mandated desegregation. Many shared their gratitude for the man who helped his family build up one of the most iconic pieces of Roanoke Valley history. The Salem Museum use to have artifacts on display. + $9.75 shipping. Salem, VA. This group is for any and all former employees of Lakeside Amusement Park in Salem, VA. or anyone else who has fond memories of Lakeside and wants to share them. Skylift went over adjacent highway and returned to park. The only remaining Roberts child, Betty Roberts Stanley, is active in the group and helps keep the memories alive. Closing weekend of Lakeside Amusement Park in Salem Virginia from Dr Robert at YouTube: Lakeside Amusement Park - The Last Weekend Oct 19th 1986 Lakeside Amusement Park - The Last Weekend Oct 19th 1986 Share Watch on News story from WSLS 10. Lakeside is featured in the animated series "Thundarr the Barbarian" (Season 1, episode 10). The Busch Gardens Railway runs the old Steam Locomotive that was built in 1972 for Lakeside under the name Alpen Express. to add Lakeside Amusement Park (Salem, Virginia) map to your website; Lakeside Amusement Park (Salem, Virginia). Growing up we always looked forward to our visits to Lakeside snuggled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. While many reflect fondly on Lakeside, the pool was segregated for the majority of its existence, and it was after mandatory desegregation that the pool declined in popularity. Nearby Masons Creek inundated the park during the flood of November 1985. Seeing if we got through it before it collapsed added to the excitement! fat entrance fees. Eventually, ride coupons were implemented with a fixed amount for each coupon, and each ride required from one to six coupons. I still get to enjoy a small piece of Lakeside at Busch Gardens Europe. Thursdays accident claimed the life of Tom Austin, a member of the landscaping crew that contracts with Lakeside to maintain the grounds. The pool eventually declined in popularity as home swimming pools became popular and after courts mandated desegregation. Lakeside Amusement Park is a family-owned [1] amusement park in Lakeside, Colorado, adjacent to Denver. Shooting Star looks like it had an awesome layout, those first two hills after the first drop must've been amazing. and have few memories other than being scared to death. Members of the Facebook group remembered Roger after hearing the news of his passing. More than just a spot to enjoy an inexpensive evening of roller-coaster rides and soft-serve ice cream, Lakeside Amusement Park is a place packed with living history. Update now. The pool eventually declined in popularity as home swimming pools became popular and after courts mandated desegregation. As one last tribute to the park, and the man who along with his brothers and sisters helped build the park up, one special request was made that's developed into a family tradition. Explore. In 1967, the pool was filled in as part of an expansion project, the highlight of which was a new wooden roller coaster named the Wild Cat. The Roberts family invested its life into the park and each family member played a special role in its operation. Hi so I took a quick gander to figure out what that ride was. When Lakeside reopened as an amusement park, it flourished, attracting many tourists and locals. While the valuable parts of the Shooting Star were relocated to Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe (Greensboro, NC), the track remained in Salem, VA until March 7th, 2004. Lakeside provided fun & thrills for 66 years. Located at the intersection of Route 460 and Electric Road, the park . But the passion for the legacy created by the Roberts family still lives on. The park was named after a very large (300 feet long, 125 feet wide) swimming pool which was opened on the site in 1920. A nominal admission fee is charged for each person entering the park. Flight Thru Space Dark Ride Closed 1979 Rep. by Astro Liner. SALEM, Va. (AP) _ Police say the noise of a worker's gasoline-powered weed trimmer apparently prevented him from hearing a 4-ton roller coaster that killed him during a test run at Lakeside Amusement Park. In the time since, the group has grown way past Simon's expectations and is now open to non-employees as well. Lakeside Amusement Park was an amusement park located in Salem, Virginia, neighboring Roanoke, at the intersection of U.S. Route 460 (East Main Street in Salem) and State Route 419 (Electric Road in Salem). LAKESIDE PARK Amusement 5 cents Universal Ride Ticket SALEM VA (Open 1920-1986) $3.00 . The skeletal remains of the Staride, a former Ferris wheel-type ride on the north side of the park, still stand. The following are photographs and artifacts from Lakeside. All Hiking Camping History. Lakeside Amusement Park closed its gates for the last time on October 19, 1986. June 7, 2022; douglas county ga jail inmates mugshots; 22x28cm 28 Pages 17 B&W photos]. Nearby Masons Creek inundated the park during the flood of November 1985. From the late 1930s through 1988, Lakeside Amusement Park operated Lakeside Speedway on the park grounds. Garrett Quesenberry, foreman of a crew that was replacing lumber on the ride, said Austin was facing the roller coaster, but was looking at the ground when the car, traveling more than 50 mph, came off a 50-foot hill and struck him. I still remember the smell of the burlap sack used on the giant slide, and the Skylift that went over the road, stopping so the train could pass. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. "Well everybody knew Roger, he was a people person he was in charge of the promotions and the advertising," Berkley Roberts said. Lakeside Amusement Park was an amusement park located in Salem, Virginia, neighboring Roanoke, at the intersection of U.S. Route 460 (East Main Street in Salem) and State Route 419 (Electric Road in Salem). Wild Mouse Closed sometime before 1974. Lakeside permanently closed on Sunday, October 19, 1986. As the years went by, more rides and attractions were added, including its iconic Shooting Star roller coaster. Lakeside Amusement Park was an amusement park located in Salem, Virginia, neighboring Roanoke, at the intersection of U.S. Route 460 (East Main Street in Salem) and State Route 419 (Electric Road in Salem). Weight: 128 lbs. I remember hearing about it everywhere, on the news, from friends, from . It's a bit dusty, not far from a highway and about ten minutes north of another popular downtown Denver destination, the enormous Six Flags Elitch Gardens amusement park. While the flood did massive damage to the park, it did reopen at the start of the 1986 season. R.E. He grew up at the park as a kid enjoying everything it had to offer and then worked at the park helping it make history. He was 78-years-old. Also still in place is the old Riviera ballroom. 8 Virginia Tech womens basketball reaches first ACC final after defeating No. Accident: 694059 - Employee Killed When Struck By Roller Coaster Employee #1 was using a weedeater to cut tall grass beneath the tracks of the Shooting Star roller coaster at Lakeside Amusement Park. Please enter a search term. Lakeside is one of several parks featured in the 1999 public television program, Lakeside Amusement Park shares its name with a setting included in the video games, Featured in a Westword Profile: "After 110 Years of Ups and Downs, a New Coaster Could Take Lakeside to New Heights. Coupon sales were consolidated at four locations the train depot, the carousel, the Ferris wheel, and Kiddy Play Land. The park was named after a very large (300 feet long, 125 feet wide) swimming pool which was opened on the site in 1920. . Vintage Monkey Wildwood Amusement Park Scary Ride Prop 7' Hunt's Pier Jungleland. Due to declining attendance, in October 1986, the owners closed the park. The building is still in place and is used for storage. There are three entrances: a rarely used west gate accessed from the former Lakeside Mall parking lot, a drive-through auto gate accessed from Sheridan Blvd. Lakeside Amusement Park was an amusement park located in Salem, Virginia, neighboring Roanoke, at the intersection of U.S. Route 460 (East Main Street in Salem) and State Route 419 (Electric Road in Salem). Lakeside amusement park in Denver is a fun park for those who are not seeking big thrill rides. I had a strong reaction of "absolutely not" - I was convinced there had been a rollercoaster crash there, probably 10 years back. Lakeside Amusement Park began as a swimming pool in Salem, Virginia. Lakeside was an enchanting gift that was right in my backyard and a magical part of my childhood. Gray said. The park was named after a very large (300 feet long, 125 feet wide) swimming pool which was opened on the site in 1920. So Isabel may have spent time here as well. Lakeside Amusement Park was an amusement park located in Salem, Virginia, neighboring Roanoke, at the intersection of U.S. Route 460 (East Main Street in Salem) and State Route 419 (Electric Road in Salem). Why did Lakeside close? What began as a 2 million gallon pool in 1920's, eventually became an amusement park with a variety of rides and games along with concerts from the likes of Conway Twitty, Rick Nelson and many more. For the BGW fans out there, Lakeside may ring a bell. Many people blamed the devastating flood of 1985 for closing Lakeside, but that wasn't the case. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Lakeside was a small, 47-acre park that first opened as a sandy beach swimming pool in 1920. Ride coupons are 25 cents. This fall will mark 30 years since the park closed its gates. Pictures of old trinkets from the park, tales of summertime hijinks, and pushes to recreate Lakeside all show up on the page. By Type. Lakeside Amusement Park rides are recreated in this display by hobbyist Ron Phennicle. The main office features a functioning manual telephone switchboard that is still in use. I have a picture of her and my grandfather taken at Lakeside around 1936. For the former park in Salem, Virginia, see, Tower of Jewels at Lakeside Amusement Park, "Denver: A Tale of Two Parks Part 2 (Lakeside Park): Park World Online Theme Park, Amusement Park and Attractions Industry News", Reporter-Herald A trip into history on the Lakeside Amusement Park train, "Lakeside Amusement Park cops bark at disabled customers: No service dogs on rides", After 110 Years of Ups and Downs, a New Coaster Could Take Lakeside to New Heights, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lakeside_Amusement_Park&oldid=1135516209. The park also included a pavilion, which hosted celebrity concerts. View original page. Salem Printing Company handled a lot of Lakesides' needs and wears a vintage Lakeside print posted on the side of some equipment as a badge of honor. Each member of the Roberts clan played an important part in Lakeside's history. Photo courtesy of Roanoke Rover and Connie Bowles. I strolled around Lakeside Amusement Park on a recent warm summer evening, the kind of night so still even the trees were holding their breath. After the pool closed in 1967, Lakeside developed into an amusement park and ran until 1986. It was a wonderful place to go and was a big part of Roanoke and Salem's history. Shooting Star was my first coaster. Lakeside Amusement Park in Salem may have closed to the public in 1986 - but it's still operating in Ron Phennicie's basement in Rocky Mount. The pool was surrounded by a beach and quickly became a favorite summer retreat for residents of Roanoke and Salem. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. is made up of local business owners and other people still can't shake their passion for the place. Through 1985, there was a Funhouse located on the site now occupied by the Dragon. This page was last updated at 2023-01-16 20:21 UTC. Old Wood from the roller coaster was used to construct the 'Pink Floyd Stage' at Floyd Fest, where it's a fan favorite because of its history. My grandparents and parents enjoyed spending their youth swimming at the pool, riding the Shooting Star, listening to Conway Twitty, andpicnics at the Pavilion. Within a few years, amusement rides were added, and in 1934 it was purchased by H. L. Roberts, whose family operated the park for 50 years. It was the original home of Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Alpen Express train. Unlimited ride passes are sold at the carousel, Ferris wheel, and Kiddy Play Land. in the left hand corner. Look back on photos from The Roanoke Times archives of Lakeside Amusement Park, which opened in Salem in 1920 and closed in 1986. This event, which has free admission, runs annually for ten days in late June to early July. This fare structure is a frequent source of confusion for first-time visitors. A selection of historic photos from Lakeside Amusement Park in Denver. Within a few years, the site was the location of a strip mall, named Lakeside Plaza, with Kroger and several other stores and restaurants. DO YOU KNOW OF ANY DENVER OR COLORADO URBAN LEGENDS, ESPECIALLY SURROUNDING LAKESIDE . Frequent performers included country artists Tom T. Hall and Conway Twitty. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Roberts, who purchased it in 1936. Brochure is in like new condition and t!ckets are in good to like new condition. In 1920 Lakeside Park opened as a swimming venue with the construction of a very large lake surrounded by sandy beach, pavilion, bath houses and restaurant. Unfortunately, that year a maintenance worker, a 19-year old named Tom Austin, was struck and killed by the roller coaster, due to the noise of a weed trimmer preventing him from hearing the roller coaster as it came down a hill at a high speed, during a test run. Lakeside Amusement Park is a family friendly amusement park with attractions for all ages, including the scenic train ride around Lakeside's picturesque lake with stunning mountain views. For sixty plus years fun didn't get much better than this. Home; Casinos; Free Pokies Games; Bonuses; News. [2] The amusement park was soon sold to Denver brewer Adolph Zang. Following its acquisition by Ben Krasner in the 1930s, Lakeside underwent a period of major renovations and incorporated many new features in the Art Deco style. Somewhat surprisingly, the park was able to repair the damage and even construct new attractions for the 1986 season. It was home to two roller coasters, Shooting Star and Wildcat. Photo courtesy of Roanoke Rover and Clark Cregger. Frequent performers included country artists Tom T. Hall and Conway Twitty. The pool was surrounded by a beach and quickly became a favorite summer retreat for residents of Roanoke and Salem. The top portion of the back has in bold print LAKESIDE PARK then in smaller type South's Finest Swimming Pool Joy Rides for Children and Adults Beautiful Picnic Grounds -- then on the bottom half the standard postcard with location, address ect. * Bei Fragen einfach anrufen oder schreiben: +49 (0)176 248 87 424. agma ballet companies; evil mother in law names; difference between crime and offence uk Rides and other amusing attractions were added over the years. Lakeside Amusment Park, Salem Virginia-1970s Cindy Goff 49 subscribers Subscribe 154 Share 31K views 11 years ago Lakeside Amuseement Park shut down in the 80s. Amusement Places & Arcades. Estimated attendance in most years averages around 300,000, which makes it the second largest fair in Virginia, trailing only the State Fair of Virginia in Doswell, Virginia. Lakeside Amusement Park operated in Salem, Virginia, from July 1920 until October 11, 1986. Park closed in October 1986 SALEM, Va. - Although it's been gone for more than three decades, people still enjoy talking about Lakeside Park in Salem. As a music man, John is particularly interested in photos anyone has of old concerts and shows at Lakeside. Here is their history article. But I recommend that you chance the $2 per person it costs to walk into this magical . Unfortunately, Lakeside is just a memory for the Roanoke Valley. Loved watching the whole structure shake when going around that turnaround curve on Shooting Star. Nearby Masons Creek inundated the park during the flood of November 1985. Amazingly, the park has only changed ownership twice during its long history. "Roger was the type of gentleman that made everyone feel well, feel good, feel important.". Inside the main restaurant is a marble and mirror backbar that was saved from the Denver Union Station, one of the picnic pavilions is created from a retired center column of a ride, and the pool for the current Skoota Boats ride is an adaptive reuse of the original Shoot-the-Chutes ride. Austin was working between the tracks when the roller coaster came by, and two other workers were standing near him outside the tracks, Sgt. Children under the age of two are admitted free. "And he would just smile and say because he needed help and that was his answer and you can't argue with that.". Me? According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, an average of 4.5 Americans died every year on amusement-park rides from 1987-2000. Lakeside Amusement Park operated in Salem, Virginia, from July 1920 until October 11, 1986. The 1908 carousel was apparently made up from used figures from other carousels. Roger was a businessman in the Roanoke Valley outside of his interest in Lakeside, owning a restaurant and then later founding Bail Management and Diamond Point Real Estate. Including a scale model. Amusement park rides were added to . The park's updates had failed to reverse the decline in attendance and revenues. Posts. ", This page was last edited on 25 January 2023, at 03:41. Built in 1940, it is an ACE Coaster Classic and Coaster Landmark.[4][5]. Location is approximate. The Track is standing but Abandoned As a some what Junk yard. I remember being enamored watching the tightrope motorcycle stunt show and getting some of my first snaps on theFlying Scooters. Lakeside Amusement Park was an amusement park located in Salem, Virginia, neighboring Roanoke, at the intersection of U.S. Route 460 (East Main Street in Salem) and State Route 419 (Electric Road in Salem). The park also included a pavilion, which hosted celebrity concerts. The park was named after a very large (300 feet long, 125 feet wide) swimming pool which was opened on the site in 1920. "So many people met their spouses either working at Lakeside or just being a park patron.". The park was named after a very large (300 feet long, 125 feet wide) swimming pool which was opened on the site in 1920. He and his brother and sisters inherited the park from their father, H.L. Lakeside Amusement Parks once stood in Salem, VA and Dayton, OH. Nearby Roanoke College also had use of the park when it was closed in the winter as an area for its men's lacrosse team to use for practice. [7], This article is about the park in Colorado. (LogOut/ 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. Lakeside Amusement Park was an amusement park located in Salem, Virginia, neighboring Roanoke, at the intersection of U.S. Route 460 (East Main Street in Salem) and State Route 419 (Electric Road in Salem). Roger was a businessman in the Roanoke Valley outside of his interest in. I was very young (8?) You are using an out of date browser. In 1967, the pool was filled in as part of an expansion project, the highlight of which was a new wooden roller coaster named the Wild Cat.