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Show ' r&- iiiiJr;,, vT '.iTO- v . ft THE STORY OF LAGOON The story of Lagoon starts way back in the 1880's when Utah was only a territory. terri-tory. The hardy pioneers made a garden out of a desert wasteland; Lagoon Amusement Park was developed from a swampy meadow land. In the 1880's, Lake Park, a resort on the shores of Great Salt Lake west of Lagoon, bade gaily plummed ladies and wide mustached gentleman to relax and enjoy themselves. The more daring of them would even step gingerly Into the stiff waters of the Great Salt Lake and there float atop the gentle waves. Simon Bamberger had the same sort of vision as the pioneers. He started his railroad from Saft Lake City going north; building and purchasing land from Davis County farmers. In about 1893 he built a small amusement park, Eden Park, in Bountiful to develop passenger travel on his railroad. By 1896, the railroad rail-road had reached Parmington. Lake Park resort had long since lost its attractiveness attractive-ness due to the receding shore line and had been abandoned. So, Simon Bamberger Bam-berger built Lagoon on the rather worthless swampland whose major resource was large noisy bullfrogs, the legs of which made excellent eating. The Lagoon of our childhood was a family oriented resort; used for reunions and picnics -- with memories of mounds of fried chicken, bowls brimming with potato salad, huge chocolate cakes, gallons of lemonade, and, sometimes, freezers of homemade ice cream. Only the kids preferred hot dogs and strawberry straw-berry pop bought from Lagoon's stands. Lagoon was "swimming in water fit to drink" for the dads and uncles (no adult female having reached the age of motherhood would venture into public waters). The swimmers wore rented swim suits made of gray cotton which stretched rapidly and mightly when wet. Lagoon was a kewpie doll with purple feathers won in a game of chance. Lagoon was curling up on mother's lap in the evening when the teen-agers ventured into the pav'illion to waltz or fox-trott with their cousins and friends. Lagoon had three principle buildings; the old fun house, a restaurant, and a saloon - the largest building was used for dancing and rollerslating. The first Merry -Go-Round was run by a horse. A number of large rings weie hanging and as you rode past, if you were lucky enough to reach out (without falling off) and grab a brass ring, you were entitled to a free ride. There have been a number of Merry-Go-Rounds and more recently one that was painted and dolled-up by Ranch Kimball. At-dlfferent times over the years, horse races were held near Lagoon which helped to bring large crowds there. A large bandstand was in the center of the park at one time where they had wonderful programs and entertainments for the public every Sunday afternoon. Lagoon even had a noted baseball team that drew large crowds to see them I play. There was a zoo in the park at one time with bears, monkeys, coyotes, peacocks, and parrots. Sometimes they would bring in added attractions such as a big lion called "Lady Planka ". The trainer would place her head in the huge mouth and frighten all the spectators. There was lots of entertainment at Lagoon - dancing, rollerskating, bowling, boating, swimming, enjoying the rides, going through the glass house or down the chutes. Each year on the 30th of May, for a number of years, people looked forward to the noted Bicycle Races. Riders would start from the Warm Springs north of Salt Lake City. Sometimes there were as many as 100 riders in the race, each one with a large number on his back. The Bamberger observation train would follow along with twelve to fifteen cars loaded to watch the racers. They would reach the crossing a little ahead of the riders and would unload all those anxious to meet their particular rider and others would go on to Lagoon. People were lined up along the road for blocks in the shade of the sidewalk trees to cheer for the winners. During the war the Park was closed for three years. There was no gas available availa-ble to run the machinery and not many people had enough for the necessary driving of their cars. Many a romance had its start down Lagoon's Lover's Lane. And romance bloomed in other places at Lagoon too. It was only natural for boys working late to offer to "take home" the girls who were also working late. Who can say for sure whether a pretty girl really had to have help in balancing her receipts at the end of the day or if she just seemed adorably confused because of the attractive boy who checked her in. Always then, too, were the free Monday night dances at Lagoon. All Davis County attended one high school then, and the kids all knew each other and enjoyed en-joyed meeting there for dancing, enjoying the rides, and occassionally, wandering wander-ing down lover's lane, famous bands from all across the United States performed per-formed to audiences that were jammed and packed into the dance hall. On the 14th of Movember, 1953, there was a huge fire at Lagoon. It started at the coaster and finished everything up to the office area. It even scorched trees and buildings on the east side of the park. After the fire, the buildings and midway mid-way were rebuilt even bigger and better than before. The railroad was 87 years old when it made its last run and was abandoned. It first started out as a steam engine, then electrical equipment was installed and this was replaced by diesel power and passenger buses. Lagoon has undergone many other subtle changes. But it s still the gay midway, mid-way, still the "swim in water fit to drink" swimming pools, still the merry-go-round, the roller coaster, and the fun house. Added have been rides that speak of more modern times the rockets, the jets, the race cars, and the gondola type sky ride. Lagoon is now leased and managed by Freed Enterprises. Additional lands have been acquired enlarging the parking area and the midway. Mew buildings have also been added, enhancing its charm and bringing fine entertainment in - the form of Broadway Musicals being staged in the Lagoon Opera House. The latest la-test addition is the acquisition of Pioneer Memorial Village, formerly housed on the property of Horace Sorensen in Salt Lake City. This newest attraction has been very effectively developed and will attract thousands to. . . LAGOON, THE FUN SPOT OF UTAH |
