GC3Y3WA GR History #6 - Ramona Park (Traditional Cache) in Michigan, United States created by bretina

This cache has been archived.

bretina: This cache has been muggled many times and is in a high-traffic area. Decided not to replace this one. If someone would like to put out a new Ramona Park cache detailing the history feel free to use elements on this page. Time for this one to go...

GC3Y3WA ▼

A cache by bretina Message this owner

Hidden : 11/17/2012

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Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

This geocache is part of the Grand Rapids History Series, originally started by the Tikibirds. The series is dedicated to somewhat unusual or little known facts about our city.

Special thanks to DeRock & The Psychic Cacher for providing the text and pictures on this cache page (from a previous cache commemerating Ramona Park).

#6 - Ramona Park
In the latter part of the nineteenth century Ramona Park and the area around it became the toast of the Midwest. Affluent residents of Chicago discovered Ramona Park on Reeds Lake turning it into both a famous and infamous resort community known far and wide. At the time the area was famous for its beautiful beach, Ramona Park, ornate pavilions, hotels, big docks for excursion boats, bicycle rental houses and infamous for its nine saloons, nine houses of ill-repute, and many gambling halls. Local Grand Rapids residents and families as well as visitors from a far all flocked here.

Ramona Park was an amusement park, owned and operated by the Grand Rapids Street Railway Company, and was a destination spot for thousands of families between 1897 and 1955. It was quite common in those days for a public transportation company to own such parks. They were known as trolley parks, and were placed at the end of the line to attract or encourage use of the public transportation system. It was a classic symbiotic relationship, Ramona Park stimulated streetcar patronage and the streetcar service in turn stimulated the park’s growth.

Ramona Park was bordered by Wealthy Street, Lovett Avenue and Lakeside Drive, along the shores of Reeds Lake. It contained a roller coaster, Theater, Gardens Pavilion, a great number of other rides and activities, like the merry-go-round, fun house, mystic chutes, Ferris wheel, bumper cars, and aeroswings. There were also games of chance and concession stands. Former president Gerald R. Ford once worked at one of the concession stands. A miniature locomotive toured the park.

The Jack Rabbit Derby Racer, built in 1914, was a double wooden-track roller coaster with an 80 percent drop, and thrilled those of all ages. It stood out as the most popular ride at the park. It was located on the former Jacobson’s property on Wealthy Street.

The Ramona Theatre Pavilion sat majestically on the West Side of the Park on Lakeside Drive, up from the boat landing and overlooking Reeds Lake. The Lakewood Hills apartments now occupy that space. It was an extremely popular summertime venue that could seat 1,700 people. Built in 1897, it was torn down in 1949. Popular plays, musicals, Vaudevillian and burlesque acts, silent films, talkies and favorite local and national entertainers, such as Will Rogers, appeared at the theatre during its heyday.

The park also housed another gem, the Ramona Gardens Pavilion. There are many people with fond memories of listening to the big bands perform here during the 1940s and tripping the light fantastic! This pavilion served double-duty as a roller skating rink.

By the early 1950's, with the availability of more cars, people were able to travel further and faster for weekend trips and vacations. Television and movie theaters became more and more popular. Ramona Park's glory days of entertainment were fading. The park began to fall into disrepair and was having a hard time footing the utility bills. The community voted to replace the park with residential apartments and a new commercial shopping center. The park closed in 1955. The land was eventually developed into portions of the current Gaslight Village: Ramona Shopping Center (Where D&W, Papers Plus and other small businesses reside), Jacobson’s, Ramona Medical Center, apartments and condominiums and Collins Park on the lakeshore.

The Grand Rapids History series

GC16CGE GR History #1 - Old Airport
GC16CGF GR History #2 - Roger B. Chaffee
GC16H4V GR History #3 - GR Beltway
GC16H4W GR History #4 - I-296
GC14XZG GR History #5 - Interurban
GC3Y3WA GR History #6 - Ramona Park
GC25YCZ GR History #7 - Moonlight Towers
GC2KJH1 GR History #8 - The Weather Ball
GC2KJGZ GR History #9 - Herpolsheimer's

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Ynoryrq svyz pnaavfgre va gur onfr bs gerrf.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)

This cache has been archived.

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GR History #6 - Ramona Park Traditional Geocache

This cache has been archived.

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