Lakeside Amusement Park is a family-ownedChotzinoff, Robin (2000-06-22). For Your Amusement . Westword. Denver, CO. amusement park in Lakeside, Colorado. Opened in 1908, it is the oldest amusement park in Colorado still operating in its original location, and is the last remaining White City-style park in the United States. The park notably features the Tower of Jewels and the Cyclone roller coaster.
History
Lakeside Amusement Park, originally known as White City, was founded by a group led by Denver-based brewer Adolph Zang,Forsyth, David (2016). "Denver's Lakeside Amusement Park." University Press of Colorado, p.25 on an approximately 57-acre site adjacent to Lake Rhoda (then known as West Berkeley Lake). Referred to as "the Coney Island of the West", the park featured the Beaux-Arts and Neoclassical architectural styles favored in many other amusement parks of the era, and was lit by an estimated 100,000 electric bulbs.Forsyth 2016, p.29 It was serviced by a trolley line built by the Denver Tramway, but was independently owned, rather than being owned by the trolley company that served the park, meaning it is not a true trolley park.Forsyth 2016, p.32
The park’s original buildings included the 150-foot Tower of Jewels at the park’s main entrance, a natatorium, a 15,000 square foot ballroom, a roller skating rink, a boat house with a 160-foot pier, and a miniature train station modeled after Denver Union Station.Forsyth 2016, p.30
Original rides and attractions included the Lakeshore Railroad (a miniature railroad which circled the lake), a merry-go-round, a Ferris wheel, an airship and balloon ascension platform, a funhouse, the Devil's Palace (described as an "interesting and instructing amusement" featuring snakes and other reptiles), a shoot the chutes, a mile-long Scenic Railway, and the Velvet Coaster. W.H. Labb of Indianapolis designed the Velvet Coaster, which featured a 1,200 foot (370 m) framework situated along the southern end of the lake, with a total of 3,600 feet (1,100 m) of track.Forsyth 2016, p.35 A ride called Tickler was installed, but was removed soon after customers reported it causing serious injuries, including broken bones.Forsyth 2016, p.37
Derby Racer, a double-track racing coaster designed by John A. Miller, was added in 1911. The ride was built at the northern end of the park, which had previously been used for social functions only, signifying a gradual move away from the park's White City aspirations into a more amusement ride-centric focus.Forsyth 2016, p.79
Scenic Railway and several other structures in the southwestern section of the park were destroyed by a fire on November 15, 1911.Forsyth 2016, p.76 Another fire in January 1912 destroyed the skating rink and damaged Derby Racer. Derby Racer was repaired, while the natatorium was converted into a new roller skating rink. It would not be used for swimming again until 1928.
Following its acquisition by Ben Krasner in 1935,Forsyth 2016, p.106 the park underwent a period of major renovations and additions. Many new rides were added, including the Cyclone roller coaster, which replaced Derby Racer in 1940. New buildings and features were built in the Art Deco style, including individual ticket booths for most major rides and attractions. Architect Richard L. Crowther designed much of the park's architectural features during this period, and included a great deal of neon lighting in his work.Leuthner, Stuart (July/August 1992). Lake Side . American Heritage.
In June 1973, an investigation by a Jefferson County Grand Jury found that "all structures on the...grounds would justify charges as dangerous buildings as described in the Uniform Building Code". Three inspections were conducted through 1972 and 1973, with one on May 21, 1973 finding 70 specific violations of building, electrical, and fire codes. Some of the violations included antiquated wiring, non-fire resistant paneling, lack of exit lighting, missing portable fire extinguishers, and inward-opening exit doors. The report also noted that "general sanitary conditions in food preparation and customer service areas...w[as] unbelievable. Grease accumulation and scum were heavy on cooking appliances, all adjacent areas and particularly on the floor and counters". Following the investigation, the park made changes based on the grand jury report findings to improve safety to avoid being forced to close its doors.
The ballroom closed in 1972 due to declining interest in ballroom dancing.Forsyth 2016, p.194 It was later deemed a significant fire hazard and was demolished in 1974.Forsyth 2016, p.203 A fire in December 1973 destroyed the pool building, which was at the time being used for maintenance and off-season storage. Parts and blueprints for many of the park's rides were lost.Forsyth 2016, p.200
From 1938 through 1988, Lakeside Amusement Park operated Lakeside Speedway on the park grounds. The auto racetrack was a oval and featured races of three car classes sponsored by CARC: stock, limited modified, and fully modified. The race track was built on the site of the park's former baseball diamond, and reused the spectator stands from the baseball field in the track's viewing area. Following a fatal accident in 1988, racing at the park came to an end.
In 2014, members of the Domino Service Dogs training group were denied access to the train ride unless they left their service dogs behind. As a result, the Cross Disability Coalition filed a lawsuit against the park, alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Colorado's laws ensuring access. The local police department and the town of Lakeside were also included as defendants in the suit.
The 1908 tower and casino building still stand, but are closed to the public, instead being used for storage and park offices. Also closed to the public is the Riviera cocktail lounge, the lone remnant of the park's original ballroom building.Forsyth 2016, p.227
Rides Roller coasters
NameYear installedTypeManufacturer NotesCoaster2018Steel Galaxi roller coasterPinfariManufactured in 1973. Originally opened at Hamel's Park as Thunderail in 1978, then spent time at Celebration City as Zyklon (2000-2001), Saginaw County Fairgrounds as Zyklon (2003-2006), and Fun Plex as Big Ohhhh! (2007-2017), before finally being moved to Lakeside Amusement Park in 2018. The ride would stand out of operation until 2023.Cyclone1940Wooden roller coasterEdward A. VettelACE Coaster Classic and Coaster Landmark. Has been standing out of operation since 2023.Dragon1986Steel powered children's roller coasterZamperlaHas been standing out of operation since 2020Kiddie Coaster2001Steel children's roller coasterMiler ManufacturingWild Chipmunk1955Steel wild mouse roller coasterMiler Manufacturing
Other amusement rides +NameTypeManufacturerNotesAuto SkootersBumper carsUnknownBalloon Ferris WheelFerris wheelUnknownCrystal PalaceFunhouseUnknownHeart FlipUnknownUnknownLoop-O-PlaneLoop-O-PlaneEyerly Aircraft CompanyMatterhornMatterhornUnknownMerry-Go-RoundCarouselC. W. Parker CompanyOpened in 1908Rock-O-PlaneRock-O-PlaneEyerly Aircraft CompanyRound-UpRound UpUnknownSatelliteSatellite JetsKasper KlausScramblerScramblerEli Bridge CompanySkoota BoatsBumper boatsUnknownThe lagoon in which the boats operate was previously home to the 1908 shoot the chutes rideSpiderSpiderEyerly Aircraft CompanyOpened in 2018, replacing a previous model that closed in 2016Sports CarsGo-kartsUnknownTilt-A-WhirlTilt-A-WhirlSellner ManufacturingTrainTrain rideUnknownOpened in 1908. Features the steam train locomotives "Puffing Billy" and "Whistling Tom" from the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, along with the world's first miniature gauge diesel locomotive, patterned after the California Zephyr. As of 2025, only the diesel locomotive is in service.WhipThe WhipUnknownOriginally installed in 1916 near the ballroom, but was removed in the 1920s. Installed in current location in 1941.ZoomDrop towerUnknown
Kiddie rides
Captain Hook Dry Boats Flying Tigers Frog Hopper Granny Bug Horse & Buggy Jolly Choo-Choo Kiddie Whip Midge-o-Racers Mini Skater Motorcycles Sky Fighters Turtles
Former attractions +NameTypeManufactuerNotesCircle SwingSpinning rocket ship swing rideUnknownRemoved in 1982.Forsyth 2016, p.206 The ride's base and tower still stand as part of a midway game.Derby RacerWooden racing roller coasterFrederick Ingersoll, John A. MillerOperated from 1911 to 1937Dip the DipsWooden roller coasterUnknownOperated from 1911 to 1918. May have contained reused parts from Velvet Coaster.Double-WhirlUnknownUnknownFlight to MarsPortable dark rideUnknownFlying DutchmanUnknownUnknownFun HouseFunhouseUnknownRemoved in 1985. Featured a Laffing Sal animatronic.HurricaneUnknownUnknownLindy LoopUnknownUnknownOctopusOctopusEyerly Aircraft CompanyKnown to have operated in the 1930sParatrooperParatrooperUnknownRoll-O-PlaneRoll-O-PlaneEyerly Aircraft CompanyScenic RailwayWooden scenic railway roller coasterWilliam H. Labb, LaMarcus Adna ThompsonOperated from 1908 to 1911. Destroyed in a fire on November 14, 1911.Shoot-the-ChutesShoot the chuteUnknownSky SlideUnknownUnknownSpeed BoatsSpeed boatsUnknownThe pier the attraction utillized is still standingSpiderSpiderEyerly Aircraft CompanyRemoved in 2016 and replaced in 2018 with a ride of the same modelStarideFerris wheelUnknownOperated from 1916 to the 1970s. The remains of the ride are still standing.Starship 2000UnknownUnknownThe TicklerWooden spinning roller coaster (Virginia Reel)UnknownOperated from 1908 to 1910Trip to the North PoleWooden Scenic Railway roller coasterUnknownOperated for the 1911 season onlyTumble BugTumble BugTraver Engineering CompanyOperated from the 1930s to 1985Velvet CoasterWooden roller coasterWilliam H. Labb, John A. MillerOperated from 1908 to 1910. Parts of it may have been reused to build Dip the Dips. Incidents
In February 1908, a car on Scenic Railway left the track, causing injuries to fifteen people. In June 1908, a car on Scenic Railway left the track, causing injuries to seventeen people. In July 1908, a woman shot an ex-boyfriend in the cafe below the ballroom. In July 1912, a woman drowned in the lake. In August 1915, a man was killed after being thrown from Derby Racer. In July 1916, a couple drowned in the lake under unknown circumstances. In August 1919, a boy was killed after being struck by Train. In July 1923, a man was injured after falling from Derby Racer. In June 1934, two youths drowned in the lake after their boat overturned. In June 1944, an 18-year-old woman was killed and seven others were injured in an accident on Cyclone. In August 1950, a 7-year-old girl was shot through the leg by a bullet that pierced the protective shield of the shooting gallery. In 1954, a man was thrown from a car on the Cyclone and died from injuries. In September 1959, four people were injured when the emergency brake system failed on Wild Chipmunk. In June 1962, a man was killed when he struck an object while standing during a ride on Cyclone. In May 1972, four people were injured by a train collision on Cyclone. In September 1988, a woman was killed and twelve others were injured when a race car flipped into the viewing stands at the Lakeside Speedway Track. In September 1994, 24 people were injured when two trains on Cyclone collided in the loading area.
In popular culture
The park is featured in season one, episode ten of the animated series Thundarr the Barbarian. Lakeside Amusement Park is one of several parks featured in the 1999 public television program Great Old Amusement Parks. Scenes from the 1995 movie Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead were shot in the park. The park served as the basis for the fictional location "Lakefront Expo" in Fortnight, a novel about serial murders in Denver, set in 2034.
References
Notes
External links Lakeside Amusement Park