Crescent Park (defunct amusement park)
Crescent Park was an amusement park in Riverside, East Providence, Rhode Island which ran from 1886 to 1979. During the park's 93-year run, it entertained millions of New Englanders as well as people from all over the world. The park was known for its Rhode Island Shore Dinners, the Alhambra Ballroom and its midway. Declining attendance during the 1970s forced the park to close. The land was cleared for a housing development. The only remaining amusement ride is the completely restored 1895-vintage Crescent Park Looff Carousel, designed and built by Charles I.D. Looff as a showpiece for his carousel business. History 19th century Crescent Park was founded in 1886 by George B. Boyden, who leased land on Narragansett Bay from John Davis, the owner of the Bullock's Point Hotel which sat above a bathing beach on the Bay. Several years later Boyden purchased the hotel and changed its name to the Crescent Park Hotel which continued to be operated until 1935, when it was razed to make room for a parking lot for the park. Boyden named the park after the crescent shape of the beach. In 1892, carousel builder Charles I. D. Looff installed the park's first carousel. The ride's building was built on columns over the beach next to the 400' pier that was used by steamboats traveling up and down Narragansett Bay and the Providence River. In 1895, Looff built a second carousel for the park, now known as the Crescent Park Looff Carousel. The ride has 61 hand-carved horses, 1 camel, 4 chariots and a spectacular German band organ built by A. Ruth & Sohn. This carousel has been renovated, restored and is running to this day. He also built the park's first roller coaster, called the Toboggan Racer. A large shore dinner hall was built on the bluff overlooking the Bay. The Riverside area had become well known for its many hotels, campsites and clam bake sites. In 1900, LaMarcus Thompson built a scenic railway next to the Looff carousel. 20th century In 1901, Boyden sold the park to the Dexter Brothers of the Hope Land Company, with Colonel R.A. Harrington acting as park manager. By 1902, a huge exhibition hall (326'x 122'x 49') was built on the midway, and was used by The New England Association for Arts and Crafts for their annual exposition. The hall was subsequently turned into the Alhambra Ballroom. In 1905, Charles I. D. Looff moved his carousel factory from Brooklyn to Crescent Park, where he designed and built many carousel for parks in New England and around the United States. He also began to use the Crescent Park carousel as a showcase for his business. During this time, Looff built a tunnel-of-love ride called The Rivers of Venice In 1910, Looff moved to Long Beach, California and established a second factory there. His son Charles Jr. and daughter Helen managed the company's Crescent Park operations after their father left. Charles Looff Jr. oversaw several renovations to the park, including