Wonderland Amusement Park (Minneapolis)
Encyclopedia
Wonderland was an amusement park that operated in the Longfellow neighborhood of
Minneapolis from 1905 through 1911. The ten-acre site was located between Lake Street
and 32nd Street and 31st and 33rd Avenues.
A 120-foot tower, lit by thousands of electric lights, was Wonderland's focal point and could be seen from a distance of five miles. Among the other attractions were a scenic railway (roller coaster), old mill, carousel and house of nonsense. After the park's demise some of its rides ended up at Excelsior Amusement Park
on Lake Minnetonka
. The aerial swing, however, was purchased by Marion Savage for use at Antlers Park in Lakeville
. Savage, for whom the town of Savage, Minnesota
is named, was the owner of the nationally celebrated racing horse Dan Patch
.
One of the park’s most popular features was the "Infant Incubator Institute", whose owner, Dr. Martin A. Couney
, had similar exhibits at amusement parks and expositions throughout the country and in Europe. The hospital, the only remaining structure from Wonderland, is now an apartment building at the intersection of 31st Avenue and 31st Street.
In 1905 Elim Presbyterian Church sued Wonderland in an effort to close the park down. Elim, on the northwest corner of 32nd Avenue and Lake Street
, was opposite the park’s main entrance. It argued that the park's crowds and noise interferred with worship services. The case was settled out of court, and the owners of Wonderland had the church moved to land they had purchased at 33rd Street and 30th Avenue. The congregation, later known as Vanderburgh Presbyterian Church, continued at that location for decades, and a house of worship is found there still.
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Minneapolis from 1905 through 1911. The ten-acre site was located between Lake Street
Lake Street (Minneapolis)
Lake Street is a major east-west thoroughfare in Minneapolis, Minnesota which is located between 29th and 31st Streets in south Minneapolis. It was named such because it runs through the Chain of Lakes area on the west side of town and passes over a small channel linking Lake Calhoun and Lake of...
and 32nd Street and 31st and 33rd Avenues.
A 120-foot tower, lit by thousands of electric lights, was Wonderland's focal point and could be seen from a distance of five miles. Among the other attractions were a scenic railway (roller coaster), old mill, carousel and house of nonsense. After the park's demise some of its rides ended up at Excelsior Amusement Park
Excelsior Amusement Park
Excelsior Amusement Park was located on Lake Minnetonka in the town of Excelsior, Minnesota. The park, which operated from 1925 to 1973, was a popular destination for company picnics and day trips from the Twin Cities.-Attractions:...
on Lake Minnetonka
Lake Minnetonka
Lake Minnetonka is a lake in the U.S. state of Minnesota. Throughout its recorded history, the lake has been a resort destination. It is located west-southwest of Minneapolis-St. Paul. The lake is an irregular shape with numerous bays and islands which make up about of shoreline...
. The aerial swing, however, was purchased by Marion Savage for use at Antlers Park in Lakeville
Lakeville, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 43,128 people, 13,609 households, and 11,526 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,192.4 people per square mile . There were 13,799 housing units at an average density of 381.5 per square mile...
. Savage, for whom the town of Savage, Minnesota
Savage, Minnesota
Savage is a suburban city south-southwest of downtown Minneapolis in Scott County in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city is situated on the south bank of the Minnesota River in a region commonly referred to as South of the River, comprising the southern portion of Minneapolis-St. Paul, the...
is named, was the owner of the nationally celebrated racing horse Dan Patch
Dan Patch
Dan Patch was the outstanding pacer of his day. Dan Patch broke world speed records at least 14 times in the early 1900s, finally setting the world's record for the fastest mile by a harness horse during a time trial in 1906, a record that stood unmatched for 32 years.-Life:He was a brown...
.
One of the park’s most popular features was the "Infant Incubator Institute", whose owner, Dr. Martin A. Couney
Martin A. Couney
Dr. Martin A. Couney a pioneer in neonatal care, and student of Dr.Pierre-Constant Budin has saved thousands of infants by an unorthodox method of putting incubators of prematurely born babies on display. While technically being a carnival show on Coney Island, NY, the treatment of babies was...
, had similar exhibits at amusement parks and expositions throughout the country and in Europe. The hospital, the only remaining structure from Wonderland, is now an apartment building at the intersection of 31st Avenue and 31st Street.
In 1905 Elim Presbyterian Church sued Wonderland in an effort to close the park down. Elim, on the northwest corner of 32nd Avenue and Lake Street
Lake Street (Minneapolis)
Lake Street is a major east-west thoroughfare in Minneapolis, Minnesota which is located between 29th and 31st Streets in south Minneapolis. It was named such because it runs through the Chain of Lakes area on the west side of town and passes over a small channel linking Lake Calhoun and Lake of...
, was opposite the park’s main entrance. It argued that the park's crowds and noise interferred with worship services. The case was settled out of court, and the owners of Wonderland had the church moved to land they had purchased at 33rd Street and 30th Avenue. The congregation, later known as Vanderburgh Presbyterian Church, continued at that location for decades, and a house of worship is found there still.
External links
- The neighborhood by the falls: a look back at life in Longfellow
- Lost Minnesota
- L.A. Thompson Scenic Railway Company
Photos
- Wonderland at the Minnesota Historical SocietyMinnesota Historical SocietyThe Minnesota Historical Society is a private, non-profit educational and cultural institution dedicated to preserving the history of the U.S. state of Minnesota. It was founded by the territorial legislature in 1849, almost a decade before statehood. The Society is named in the Minnesota...
. - Wonderland at the Hennepin County LibraryHennepin County LibraryHennepin County Library is a library system serving the entire population of Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA. The Minneapolis Public Library, a separate system for Minneapolis, existed from its founding by T. B. Walker in 1885 until January 2008...
. - Wonderland at Placeography.
- Wonderland then and now Note: Dreamland Dancing Pavilion was in downtown Minneapolis.
- Wonderland tower
- Wonderland poster
- Vintage postcards of South Minneapolis
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