KUSA – Denver’s Elitch Gardens amusement park has been all over the news lately after the City Council gave unanimous approval for a mega development in the area that could shape the entire Platte River Valley.
And while in modern history, Elitch’s may best be known for rides like the Mind Eraser, Boomerang, Twister II and Blazin’ Buckaroo, it has a storied history beyond being just a mere amusement park.
No, like seriously. You wouldn’t see anything like this today …
Elitch’s was actually one of the first zoos west of Chicago. John and Mary Elitch decided to turn their farm into a zoological area 1890. It was a “cool green oasis” for Denverites who needed a break from the heat of the Front Range. Mary Elitch ran it alone after John died, and according to the park, she ws the only woman in the world to own and run a successful "summer resort" at the time. She was affectionately known as "the Gracious Lady of the Gardens," and lived there until she died.
The Elitch Theater opened in 1892, and over the years, welcomed performances from folks like Cecil B. DeMille, Grace Kelly, Mickey Rooney and more.
The Trocadero Ballroom opened in 1917 – that’s right: folks in Denver used to come to Elitch’s to dance. But it was torn down in 1975, when dancing at amusement parks apparently became less popular. But it came back in 1997, but now it’s a theater that can be converted into a ballroom for dancing.
The Ferris Wheel was first built in 1936 – and as for the carousel that still operates in the park? That’s been around since 1928.
Elitch’s used to be off West 38th Avenue, but was moved to its current location near downtown Denver in 1995. The $95 million project was the first urban amusement park built in the U.S. in 30 years.
In 1997, Eliches got a water park!
And in 1998, it became Six Flags Elitch Gardens … but that name was dropped (just like all these mad facts!) in 2007.
Read more about Elitch's illustrious history here: https://bit.ly/2JEuV4Q
And check out two more photos of its wacky past below:
