In Spring 1889 after the fire which
burned 111 of the privately owned cottages, the FJ&G
went to work on the vision of an Amusement park. Adding
750 acres to the project. Rebuilding cottages to lease
or rent adding water and sewer and electric to them.
They replaced the railroad platform with an actual train
station (the first of two) which included a post office.
The venture was named “The Adirondack Amusement
Company.” Many local people were employed during
construction of the project and local lumber company’s
boomed with the business.
Upon arrival at the park by one
of the steam engines, imagine your picnic basket laden
with whatever your favorite food items might be. Departing
the station, it was a short walk to the picnic grounds
that had seating for 900 people. The grounds around you
are beautifully landscaped with rustic bridges, ponds,
and lovers lanes. The smell of the pines. And maybe E.
W. Prouty’s playing on the lawn at the Adirondack
Inn.
A stroll through the Midway must
have been blend of enlivening sights and sounds. Ladies
in their long dresses. Children shouting and racing to
get to the next game or ride. Men in suits with straw
boater or derby hats standing together in groups. The
music of the carousel. The smell of popcorn and peanuts
roasting. Maybe an occasional barkers voice filled the
air to “Step right this way!”
One might want to stop at the ice
cream concession where a freshly baked waffle ice cream
cone shell was griddled then quickly rolled into a cone
shape with a scoops of ice cream and served warm. Or
try a new confection called “Fairy Floss” which
later was renamed Cotton Candy. Maybe a walk through
House of Fun with it’s un-level floors and crooked
mirrors ending with a big blast of air from underneath.
Or stop at the palmistry booth to see what the future
might hold.
At the time the park also had what
was called an electric theatre and where you could watch
a silent movie. Another electrically operated ride was
Hales Touring Train car. Bought in 1907 and used as a
ride to simulate a ride in the countryside. With offset
weights on both sides it rocked back and forth by an
electric motor as scenery on large revolving rolls passed
by the windows. The ride was 10 cents for adults and
5 cents for children.
The carousel with it’s 44
elaborately carved wood animals, mostly consisted of
horses, but if you were quick you could also ride a tiger
or lion as there were a few of these. This was an ornate
steam powered ride with a separate building for the motor.
Rain or shine it could operate as it was enclosed in
it’s own building. It also had and organ music
accompaniment. And if that was to big for some of the
little ones there was also a smaller merry-go round.
A figure eight rollercoaster was
called Dip the Dips a thrill ride for everyone. A fire
in the spring 1918 burned the existing roller coaster
and part of the midway, but was quickly rebuilt before
the opening summer season. The rollercoaster was located
where the Sport Island pub and Park Association beach
is currently.
An enclosed roller skating rink
provided couples and singles alike with a place to glide
across the floor with an opportunity to hold hands or
pick each other up off the floor after a fall. Another
venue to meet or take someone special the enclosed dance
pavilion. Used both in the day and at night, the dance
pavilion provided a place to socialize and fill your
dance card that were so popular in that day.
Riding the burros was a favorite
attraction for the young. There was a track for smaller
children to ride around or the older more adventurous
set could ride up the hill to High Rock were an entire
view of the valley could be enjoyed. Most of the summer
jobs were held by students on vacation with the exception
of the rollercoaster, steam powered carousel, miniature
train, and the burros. Those jobs required a little more
expertise.
Visitors could buy souvenirs of
all kinds inscribed with “Sacandaga Park NY” to
remember their trip. Most ceramic souvenirs were made
by the Wheelock Company in Germany. Images of places
in the park like the Inn , boating scenes, rides, and
the entrance were applied to plates, teacups, toothpick
holders, drinking glasses, and many other items Some
stayed in keeping with the Adirondack design of wood.
Others were made of glass with etching . Postcards were
available by the hundreds of images to send home or keep
as a reminder of time spent at the resort. Felt pennants
were another favorite.
The Mann Brothers Photo Gallery
could also provide a more personal souvenir. A tintype
photo of your time spent at Sacandaga Park.
