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Metallic Sign, '___miles To Ramona Park Reeds Lake - Grand Rapids'
Identifier:
1995.9.1Description:
Green and yellow metallic sign that reads, '___MILES TO RAMONA PARK REEDS LAKE - GRAND RAPIDS' Development of Ramona Park, along Reed's Lake in East Grand Rapids, was begun in 1875. In 1914 a roller coaster, the 'Derby Racer,' was built. This was the first of many 'amusement ride' type entertainments to be created at Ramona Park. Other rides included a Merry-Go-Round, Mystic Chutes, Aero Swings, and the 'Venetian' Swings. In the early 1900's, the Ramona Theater was an important venue of local entertainment. During the 1930's and 40's, major Vaudeville acts such as the Marx Brothers, Jimmy Durante, Edgar Bergen, and Fred Allen regularly entertained at the Ramona Theater. By the 1950's, the general public was seeking alternative entertainment forms. By 1955, the last of the Ramona Park buildings were gone. Ramona Park was located on the present site of Gaslight Village, Jacobson's Department Store, and the Lakewood Apartment complex. This collection was assembled by a local individual, Gordon Harrington, a long-time enthusiast of Ramona Park.;ACCEPT. RELEVANCE: Ramona Park in East Grand Rapids was a long-lived and important element of Grand Rapids area entertainment. Many Grand Rapids residents today still retain 'warm-fuzzy' memories of Ramona Park and the Ramona Theater. OTHER COLLECTIONS: The PMGR has a surprisingly small collection of Ramona Park memorabilia. However, we do have a significant collection of theater programs from downtown theaters from this same period.KWAPIL01;Originally from the Ramona Theater of Ramona Park, East Grand Rapids.. Collected by Mr. Gordon Harrington. Given to donor, Mr. John Perschbacher.. KWAPIL01;Originally from the Ramona Theater of Ramona Park, East Grand Rapids.. Originally from the Ramona Theater of Ramona Park, East Grand Rapids..Dimensions:
6" h 18.25" wCurrent Location Status:
In StorageCollection Tier:
Tier 2Source:
Gift Of In Memory Of Gordon E. HarringtonRelated Entities:
John Perschbacher (donor) Ramona Park (is related to)Ramona Park was an amusement park located on the western shore of Reeds Lake in East Grand Rapids, Michigan from 1903-1954. Thousands of families visited each year until the 1950s, when gasoline for cars became more available, and people began vacationing elsewhere. The park was owned and operated originally by the Grand Rapids Street Railway Company, and also after it became the Grand Rapids Motor Coach Company. It featured attractions such as the Jack Rabbit Derby Racer roller coaster, merry-go-round, fun house, mystic chutes, Ferris wheel, bumper cars, rocket swings and a miniature train. The park also included the Ramona Theatre which hosted vaudeville shows, musicals, silent film shorts, and favorite local and national entertainers. Ramona Gardens was initially a dance hall which, in the late 1930s, hosted the best of the big bands, and in 1942, became a roller skating rink.