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Show Celebration of Century The faces of Lagoon have changed a lot during first 100 years By TOM HARALDSEN FARMINGTON goons Dancing Pavilion hosted the music greats from Ella Fitzgerald biggest names in the Big Band era: and Louis Armstrong to Jimi HenArtie Shaw, Benny Goodman, drix, Janis Joplin and even the Theyre celebrating a century of fun at Lagoon this summer, a century that has seen the face of the states most famous entertainment spot change dramatically through the years. In the late 1800s, a number of resorts sprang up on the shores of the Great Salt Lake, as Utahns and visitors from many states basked in the lakes beauty and recreational usage. Most famous of these, of course, was the original Saltair, built on the shores and host of many dances and gala activities. It was at that time that Simon Bamberger, who would later be known as the first gentile governor of Utah, developed Lake Park, located about 2xh miles west of where Lagoon sits today. It opened on July 15, 1886. Lagoons predecessor featured Duke Ellington, Count Basie and the Glenn Miller Orchestras. Though the park was closed during the final two years of World War II, it reopened again in 1946, with the Robert Freed family now operating in partnership with the Bamber-ger- Rolling Stones in 1966. The Lagoon Opera House opened in 1968 and of course Pioneer Village was constructed and opened in 1976, a restoration of early Utah. 15-ac- re Its safe to say that the fire was the catalyst that really got the park Van Woerden stated. Not coincidentally, the par be- going, Weve become a traditional vacagan adding a number of attractions the next year, including the sky tion spot for tourists from Utah, ride and a new swim building. In Idaho, Nevada and Wyoming, as 1948, picnic arrangements began, well as many from the West Coast. and are a mainstay of the park to- Were constantly hearing how day. New swimming dressing much better some visitors like us in compared to the more crowded rooms came in 1949, Skee-ba1950, a remodeled Fun House, parks. shooting gallery, dodgem cars and roman target in 1951. And in 1953, So much history of the state is the ferns wheel was opened. The reflected in the parks history that Bamberger railway stopped runits difficult to capsulize into a ning in 1952, but the new cement short story. With the centennial s. ll tt open-ai- r merry-go-roun- full-cour- es mid-1890- miraculously the Carousel was saved. Freed went on record at that time as saying hed build a new Lagoon. The number of rides and attractions has steadily increased ever since. coaster In 1954, a with a along opened, s, Tilt-a-whi- rl, spook house, kiddie planes and autos, an arcade, a kiddie race track, and new terraces. In 1956, Mother Gooseland opened. The Fun House returned in 1957, and a speedway came along shortly thereafter. A restaurant featuring great fried chicken opened, and a showboat cruised Lagoon Lake in search of an elusive dragon. The Patio Gardens became the concert spot of Utah, hosting nine-acr- merry-go-roun- hand-carve- well-know- n million-gallo- swimming pool was cemented in. Lagoon adopted a slogan about its pool, "swim in water thats fit to drink. Although the slogan is no longer used, it still is synonymous with the Lagoon pool to many county residents. During the 1930s and 40s, La- - f - 2 Highway 91 d, sited the park. the Great But in the Salt Lake began playing games with its shoreline tenants, just as it has recently. This time, it began a steady course of receding, leaving behind a sticky, blue mud that was miserable for bathers, the parks history reads. In 18, Bamberger and company relocated to the present location, changing the name to Lagoon to suit its new e home on the banks of a lagoon. The lagoon was the property of an ice cream company which had taken advantage of a well on the site to form ice in the winter, and then cut out blocks to sell. At that time, railroad cars were not refrigerated, and selling ice for shipping purposes was big business. But the ice company soon found the spring-fille- d lagoon was too warm, and thus did not produce good ice. They were reportedly more than happy to sell the property to Simon Bamberger. The original Lagoon encompassed an acre from the present swimming pool to where the Fire Dragon stands today. Activities included rowboating, swimming, and of course dancing. Crowds came in on Bambergers railroad, which ' ran right to the park. Cost of a round-tri- p ticket from Salt Lake or Ogden was just 25 cents. City It was in 1906 that the park first added a thrill ride, called Shoot the Chutes. It was similar to our Log Flume today, stated Ron Van Woerden, advertising manager and entertainment director at the park. Eight people rode in a car, and it was located about where the Music Theatre is today. The park later added the Scenic d Railway, and a new animals d with 45 was delivered. It is the same ride used today. The parks roller coaster was installed in 1921 and in 1927, when competition with n Saltair was at its peak, the ' ' brought crowds to the year here, the park plans a number of activities, including daily drawpark. But October 1953 brought ings for airline trips from Morris Air Service. The park opened on tragedy. A fire, still of undetermined origin, swept down the west April 18, and will begin daily operaside of the Midway, destroying the tions on May 23. All shows have . Fun House and Dancing Pavilion, the centennial theme, and over 1000 seasonal employees will bealong with dozens of other attracnefit from Lagoon this summer. tions. The front of the roller coaster also burned to the ground, but also awards dancing pavilion with delicately carved lattice work and archways. Cottages were available by the week or month, and admission was 50 cents. Guests could enjoy swimming, dancing, boating, a roller skating, trap shooting or bowling. Another din50 cents bought a ner in the resorts restaurant. By the end of the first year, records show over 53,000 guests had vian , Each year Lagoon between 15 and 20 $500 college scholarships to its employees. 1116 park has a number of second, third and fourth generation employees, and often hosts employee parties. Our LEGS program, meaning Lagoon excels at guest service, helps give our employees additional motivation to treat our guests right. We survey our employees by using anonymous people, and good service is awarded with a cash prize, he explained. This season two new attractions have been added: the Centennial Screamer and a second ride that is yet unnamed. Park patrons will be able to enter a contest and select a name for the new ride. . The Inside Story Of The Pictures 1 The midwav of Lagoon in the 1940s reilected the dress styles of the day. The is Carousel on right same one in use todav. merry-go-roun- d as Lake Park, 2 12 miles west of its current site. The 2. Lagoon began Lake Park Dancing Pavilion stood on the lake's shore in 1887, and the train shown brought crowds from Salt Lake and Ogden. Pavilion is used today as the Lake Park picnic terrace. An artist's rendering of the original Lake Park, which was shut down after the Great Salt Lake receded in the 1890s. The original 4. dance Lagoon pavilion, shown in the 190's, which hosted the greats of the Big Band era. The pavilion was destroyed during a disasterous fire in 1953. Photos courtesy of Lagoon Corporation. |