Carnival Park Photographs

Dublin Core

Title

Carnival Park Photographs

Subject

Kansas--Kansas City
Amusement Parks

Description

Carnival Park was a public, family amusement park located on 13.5 acres between 14th and 16th, the east and west, and Armstrong and Barnett Avenues to the north and south. The park operated from 1907-1911. During its relatively short life span, Carnival Park was described as being one of the greatest achievements of the city. The recently opened Intercity Viaduct used it as an inducement to ride the streetcar -- a cool ride on a hot summer's night. Located at what is now the Ward athletic field, the park opened May 7, 1907. It operated for approximately two years as Carnival Park and was then leased to a carnival for another two years. John Steen, the park's architect, filled the area with flowerbeds, statues, and winding walkways. The Lagoon, spanned by a bridge, was another prominent feature and provided a somewhat wet ending to the "Shoot the Chutes" ride. "Shoot the Chutes" also incorporated one of the best-remembered segments of the park: a very tall, brightly lit tower and "the pride of the park management". The demise of Carnival Park is one of the City's biggest mysteries. No one seems to know exactly what happened to it and why it failed. Some attribute the failure to the fall of the tower due to a high wind. A roller rink adjacent to the tower was damaged by fire. Joseph T. Carey Sr., the son of Thomas Carey, a co-owner of the park, believes a great extent of the problem was caused by the prohibition of serving alcoholic beverages.

Source

Kansas Roon Special Collections

Publisher

Kansas City, Kansas Public Library

Date

ca. 1907

Format

JPG

Language

eng

Collection Items

Carnival Park Entrance and Skating Rink
Sepia photograph of Carnival Park, entrance to the roller skating rink.

Carnival Park, Wizard Entrance
Black and White photograph of Carnival Park, entrance to Wizard – admission ticket booth

Carnival Park, Crystal Laundry
Black and white photograph of Carnival Park, Crystal Laundry admission ticket booth

Carnival Park, Crowd Watching Performance
Black and white photograph of large crowd watching a performance at Carnival Park

Carnival Park, Hale's Tours of the World
Black and white photograph of the admission ticket booth for Hale's Tours of the World at Carnival Park

Carnival Park Bandshell
Black and white photograph of Carnival Park visitors gathered on the stage at the Bandshell

Carnival Park Boardwalk
Black and white photograph of crowds gathered on the Carnival Park boardwalk

View of Carnival Park
Black and white photograph of a view into Carnival Park

Carnival Park, 3rd Degree Entrance
Black and white photograph of the entrance to the 3rd Degree at Carnival Park

View from within Carnival Park
Black and white photograph of Carnival Park from inside, with view of 3rd Degree and Crystal Laundry buildings

Carnival Park Night Scene
Black and white photograph of Carnival Park at night with a view of the roller coaster tower (Chutes)

Wigwam at Carnival Park
Black and white photograph of The Wigwam, a covered restaurant at Carnival Park

Shoot the Chutes Ride at Carnival Park
Black and white photograph of two female passengers ascending the "Shoot the Chutes" ride at Carnival Park.

Double Whirl Ride at Carnival Park
Black and white photograph of two men on the "Double Whirl" ride at Carnival Park. The ride consisted of six miniature Ferris wheels revolving perpendicular to each other and circling its enclosure simultaneously.

Crowds on the Boardwalk at Carnival Park
Black and white photograph of crowds on the boardwalk at Carnival Park with lagoon and boats in the foreground and Hale's Tours of the World building in the background.

View of Grounds Inside Carnival Park
Black and white photograph of Carnival Park grounds with benches and pavilion in the background.

The Pergola at Carnival Park
View of The Pergola, a covered structure near the center of Carnival Park with table and chairs under a roofed walk. It was used as a place for serving refreshments such as ice cream soda, and water.

Map of Carnival Park
Map of Carnival Park in Kansas City, Kansas.
View all 18 items