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Show " 2D ... Lakeside Review, Wednesday, October 30, 1985 -- . &S4 C'" y ' i & f 1 ? ,, 4- ,r ,: 'J 'rw - -' r U3-&7.- T This panoramic view of Lagoon shows the lagoon, the old pavilion, he surrounding parks and the area before the amusement park and Farmington city developed. Lagoon's a landmark ' SUSAN TANNER HOLMES Review correspondent t Ji, FARMINGTON Originally Lagoon was called Lake Park because it was on the shores of the Great Salt Lake just west of Farmington City. In the 1890s the park sported many boardwalks and amusement facilities. Railroad magnate Simon Bamberger saw the advantages of coupling his railroad with an amusement park. Youd never think of going to Lagoon except to ride the electric railroad, said June Swaner, widow of Dean K. Swaner, a former Lagoon manger known for working 7 days a week year after year for 63 years. Many parks were on the railroad lines. The train made money and the park made money. A round-triticket from Salt Lake to Lagoon cost 25 cents said Ron VanWoerden, advertising and entertainment director for on p Lagoon. From the beginning, groups were encouraged to come with group rates, company days and discounts. The new inland park was called Trolly Park for a time. Natural springs were used to fill a e lake and swimming area. The buildings were moved from the Great Salt Lake and reman-mad- modeled. In 1896 the park had garden picnic areas, a fun house, a restaurant, a saloon, boating, a danc- ing pavillion and the first ride, Shoot-the-Chute- s. Shoot-the-Chut- was iike es to- days Log Flume ride. It wasnt until 1900 that the row boating and swimmming in Lagoon Lake and rockets over the lake were opened. Today there are more than 100 attractions at the park. Both the Hess and Swaner families were very much a part of the park. Milton Hess now works on the were the original Swaners park. gardners on the park. Carl Swaner did all the gardening until he died. Dean Swaner was in administration until he died. Its the longest continuous line, said Peter Freed, president of Lagoon Corporation. Dean started working at the park when he was nine and worked there continously except for three years during World War II, when the park was closed, until he was 72, said Mrs. Swaner. The slogan swim in water fit to drink has been a trademark of Lagoon advertising and promotion for 85 years. In those days, woolen swimming suits that weighed 20 pounds when wet were worn," said VanWoerden. People visiting the park dressed up. Men wore ties and hats and the women wore dresses, he said. One early advertising flyer stated: Amusement is clean, safe and wholesome, gaiety, but nothing to offend nor demoralize; outdoor swimming in water fit to drink; obliging employees who serve you well; no one must leave without the desire to return. d In 1906 the d animals was with 45 delivered. It is turned by a 7.5 horsepower electric motor. Music is provided by an electric calliope whose paper rolls can play a variety of melodies. The race track at Lagoon was nationally known and people from all over the U.S. attended merry-go-roun- hand-carve- . the races. On racing days the parking lots would be filled to capacity. Two of the darkest years in the history of Lagoon include the 1923 flood and the 1953 fire. Dean was only 12 and was working up at the dance hall when the flood hit. He stayed there, because it was up high. His folks lived in a little house by the east gate and he worried that the house was gone and they worried about him, said Mrs. Swaner. When he did get back to the house, a few bodies were laying around it. The fire swept down the west side of the Midway, destroying everything in its path. The front of the coaster was destroyed, the fun house and many of the trees were reduced to rubble. Before the smoke had drifted away, Lagoons president, Robert a new Freed, started to Lagoon for the next season, said VanWoerden. For many years people came to dance to the music of the big bands. When they arrived they were elegantly dressed, said Mrs. Swaner, quoting the diaries of her husband. They didnt charge for the dance, but had a hat check corner which accomodated 2,500 coats an hats. Everyone wore a hat, ld Opera house Lagoon treasure is no more than 30 feet away and the house seats only 300 SUSAN TANNER HOLMES Review correspondent lending a community feeling to An the evenings entertainment. amusement park is not a likely Just 16 years ago, Robert and spot for quality, live theater. Peter Freed decided to do someBut, combining the small-tow- n g about their love flavor and the amusement park thing affair with the theater. It was atmosphere, the Opera House at then the seeds of the Opera Lagoon could be. the envy of a House were planted. , large city. Weve had some years weve To find this treasure turn the done very well and some years comer off Lagoons midway and we havent," said Peter Freed. you will meet a small quiet They are underwriting most of courtyard paved with bricks and the building costs of a childrens surrounded by authentic 1890s theater production company, the Davis Art Academys AGshops. The Julian M. Bamberger ATE players. Fountain is first in view, and at One of the fixtures in the thethe far end is the three-stor- y ater has a symbolic quality. The chandelier in the lobby is from gray clapboard, white gingerbread-trimmed Opera House. a 5th Avenue New York manThe ornate entrance opens up to sion. Not only does it light the entertainment known for its ex- way to theatrical entertainment, cellence. but continues to light the way The intimate staging is an as- for an art form that is as much set to the musicals and come- a part of Utah history as the dies which play there. The stage FARMINGTON life-lon- . : she said. The very first star big-na- was Artie Shaw. He was number one in the country and he drew such a large crowd that they were afraid the dance floor would collapse. We had everyone, Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington, Mick Jagger, Peter, Paul and Mary and Johnny Cash, she said. Visitors dress up in their Sunday best to enjoy the grounds at Lagoon. History preserved at Pioneer Village SUSAN TANNER HOLMES ' Review correspondent The ornate, open air pavilion was the site for concerts, dances and meetings. Its beginning FARMINGTON the in celebration bicentenial during 1976 was surrounded with controversy and excitement. restoration of Today the Pioneer Utah 100 years ago is an outstanding preservation of history, said Ron Van Woerden, Lagoons advertising and entertainment direc15-ac- re W ' ' 0m tew s t..' ,k V' tor. Pioneer Village has made Lagoon much more than an amusement park. It has given it a genuine historical dimension, he said. We have a stove, which is the only one of its kind in the country, made in 1889 called the Sovereign Jewel. Only a few were made and at the time it cost about $36. Today the replacement value is over $12,000. The creation of Pioneer Village took more than a years work in transporting nearly all the buildings e and exhibits from a residential area in Salt Lake City. We went all over the backwoods to get wood off of old barns, and things to build buildings to house the tools and old buggies," remembers June Swaner, wife of the late Lagoon manager, Dean K. Swaner. Freed was committed to preserving Utahs early history even after government bicentennial committees turned down a request for matching restoration funds because Lagoon was a commercial enterprise. Well never recover the $2 million initial expenditure. We grossly five-acr- Shooting the Chutes was the first ride at Lagoon and was similar to the log flume ride of today. underestimated the costs of upkeep. Financially it was a stupid thing to do but historically it was wonderful," said Peter Freed, president of Lagoon. At the hed of the village stands a rock chapel, originally built in Coalville, Utah in 1853 and first used as a fort against Indians. The chapel was dismantled in Coalville and transported stone by stone to its new location and constructed in its original condition, said VanWoerden. Freed is constantly on the look-ofor historical treasures to add to the growing collection. For example, the carriage of Edwin Stanton, the controversial Secretary of War for President Lincoln was obtained from Colorado. It had been in the Stanton family for more than 100 years. Other historical buildings like a log schoolhouse and the Kaysville Railroad Station, built in the 1890s have been dismantled and rebuilt in the village. Artists and restorers are hired every winter to insure the upkeep of the 42 buildings. Doors are authentically regrained when needed and signs are designed and painted to ensure authencity. Displays are constantly being changed so visitors can see new items each year. The original 1853 Deseret News press is in the historical print shop. There are also displays of a china shop, doll museum, music store and others. ut . |