Crystal Beach Amusement Park, 1934

(Set time slider to 1934.)

Crystal Beach Amusement Park operated from 1888 to 1989. Up until the 1930's and 40's patrons came to the park by rail and steam-ships from Buffalo, New York. In the decades after the 1940's automobiles became the chief method of transportation to the park. This aerial view of the park is from 1934 with the park in its hey-day. The shot was taken in October of that year, perhaps this is why little activity is seen. I have identified a few of the attractions - I would be grateful for more information! The park is now a gated community!





For a general history of the park:



en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Beach,_Ontario



For an exhaustive history of the park and the rides:



cec.chebucto.org/ClosPark/Crystal.html

Crystal Beach Amusement Park 1934..kmz (1.74 KB)

Nice bit of historical imagery you found there Larry. It's anly a few years younger than the older imagery on the GE globe, the 1930 aerial imagery to the northwest near Kitchener, Ont.

How fun! Larry, you made me think of another old amusement park, Playland at the Beach, San Francisco, California. There is a good image of it from 1938 - way better than the one in 1946. It closed in 1972 and the valuable property was covered with condo developments. There were the usual rides and concessions spread out over two long blocks facing Ocean Beach. My brothers and I thought the mechanical Laffing Sal near the entrance was the world's most hilarious object:

   
Schmiteye @ Wikipedia

Sal is now at Pier 45 in San Francisco and other amusements were moved to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, also in California.

There are other notable locations in the imagery. Sutro Baths and the Cliff House Restaurant at Land's End, NW of my placemark. Several military sites around the city (The Presidio, Fort Miley, Fort Funston) and a reservoir are censored.

Playland at the Beach 1938.kmz (821 B)