Remembering Lost & Forgotten
Roadside Tourist Attractions
& Amusement Parks On The West Coast
Marineland of the Pacific
With the unofficial arrival of summer comes the wonderful memories of treasured family summer vacations of the past as well as quite a few weekend road trips and stops along the way at eye-catching signs and kitschy trading posts. My goal here was to briefly reflect on those that are abandoned, lost, forgotten or no longer in existence – or in other words – defunct. I simply wanted to acknowledge or pay tribute to these closed, abandoned or destroyed places of enjoyment from our youth. They may be gone but they are definitely NOT FORGOTTEN. These include but are not limited to theme parks, amusement parks, animal parks, roadside attractions, ball parks, stadiums, speedway, racetracks, concert venues, military installations, super parks, off-the-wall eye-catchers, cheesy or kitschy tourist traps, museums, water parks, etc. They all offer one thing in common – pleasant childhood memories of growing up in times that are so very different than they are today. Now that these places are closed, all we have left are our memories to share with others who can more or less relate. So here begins a small journey or an escape, if you will, to
Lion Country Safari
recollected fun places and locations from family vacations and short excursions of years past – a majority of which are in California, but also including a number of places in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, British Columbia, Canada plus a few more elsewhere, but by no means is this list complete…..(as I seriously doubt that could ever be possible) – but just a good start on that stroll down memory lane. The years that appear following the location are the opening and closing years of the attraction (if known). I’ve also included a number of sports facilities, music venues & military bases that offer special or unusual attractions to this ever-growing list.
Santa’s Village
Also to make these listings somewhat easier to find, they’re listed alphabetically. Please feel free to comment, update, or to add your own input. This list is by no means, complete. Please feel free to suggest additional places that should be included here – places that drew attention to motorists on that long road trip adventure – at some time in the past. I’m always interested to find out what others have come across in their travels >>> Enjoy 🙂
***THERE ARE NOW OVER 500 LISTINGS***
Hobbiton USA
► On-going additions as well as updates continue on this post, with the latest entries being added on 1/17/2017 – Links are also being added from time-to-time on attraction listings so you can search additional sources for more details and/or history, whenever possible. In some cases, Wikipedia links are used when no others can be found.
Are you aware of other places of interest that you have been to that are not listed here? Let me know – Also try to give some details about the attraction. Suggestions, comments and ideas are always welcome and encouraged.
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- 24 Hour Church Of Elvis – Portland, OR (1985-2002) – link / link#2
24 Hour Church of Elvis
- Abbot Kinney Pier (Amusement Park) – Venice, CA (1905-1920) – link
- Adventureland – Winfield BC, CANADA (1967-1980s) attractions included Time Machine, Noah’s Ark, Western Town, super slide, simulated submarine, a petting zoo & more link …………………………………………………..
Adventureland (all 4 pics above)
- Africa USA – Soledad Canyon/Los Angeles, CA (1962-1969) wild animal preserve where several TV shows , movies and commercials were filmed – In 1987 the property was purchased and restored by actress Tippi Hedren and is now called ‘Shambala Preserve’ – link#1 / link#2
Daktari TV Series (1966-69) filmed @ Africa USA – Soledad Canyon
- Alameda Naval Air Station – Alameda, CA (1936-1997)
- Alcazar Theatre / United Nations Theatre – San Francisco, CA (1911-1961) historic link
- Alhambra Theatre – Sacramento, CA (1927-1973) known as the ‘Showplace of Sacramento’ this was the preeminent movie house in the greater Sacramento area for many years. It was designed in the Moorish style of the great Spanish cities and included a large courtyard and fountain. The interior was lavishly appointed with red carpet, gold trim, and large pillars. link#1 / link#2
Alhambra Theatre
- Alpine Slide @ Boreal Ridge Ski Area – Donner Summit – near Truckee, CA (1970’s-1980’s?)
- Altamont Speedway / Altamont Raceway / Altamont Motorsports Park (also the location of the infamous 1969 Rolling Stones Concert) – Altamont Pass, CA (1966-2008) – link#1 / link#2 ………………………..
- American Advertising Museum – Portland, OR (1986-2004) – link
- American Heritage Wax Museum – Scottsdale, AZ
American Heritage Wax Museum
- American Meteorite Museum – Meteor City, AZ (old Route 66 near Winslow) (1946-1953), then the museum moved to Sedona, AZ (1953-1960) (check out Meteor Crater Museum & Observatory listing further down the list) – link #1 / link #2
American Meteorite Museum (Route 66)
Meteorite Museum (Sedona)
- Amusement City (?) – Lincoln City, OR (1970’s – 1980’s ??) carnival type rides & attractions
- Andersen’s Animal Park – Buellton, CA (1969-1970?) formerly located behind the legendary restaurant complex Pea Soup Andersen, which is still in full operation today, it featured a miniature train, bird aviary and a small exotic animal park on the property. It was discontinued in 1970 to make room for a Danish-themed motel – Pea Soup Andersen history link / link#2 / Lompoc newspaper article about her death & connection to the Buellton Animal Park / Jim Delany’s scrapbook (lots of pics) – check out listings further down this list for ‘Howling Wolf Lodge & Wild Animal Sanctuary’ & also ‘Pat Derby’s Wild Animals’
Andersen’s Animal Park
- Angels Flight (Railway) – Los Angeles, CA (1901-1969) & (1996-2001) & (2010-2013) Billed as “The World’s Shortest Railway” a landmark narrow gauge railway in the Bunker Hill district of Downtown Los Angeles. It consisted of two funicular cars, Sinai and Olivet, running in opposite directions on a shared cable on the 298 feet long inclined railway. website / LA Times newspaper article / link#3
Angels Flight (circa 1905)
Angels Flight (circa 1960)
Angels Flight (above 2 pics / circa 2000’s)
- Antelope Valley Raceway (Palmdale International Raceway) (Drag Strip) – Palmdale, CA (1964-1980)
- Apacheland Movie Ranch/Studio – Gold Canyon/Apache Junction, AZ (1960-2004) – link#1 / link#2 ……………………………
Apacheland Movie Ranch
- Arizona Alligator Farm / Jack Adam’s Alligator Farm – Mesa/Tempe, AZ (1950’s-1960’s) – link ……………………………..
Jack Adam’s (Arizona) Alligator Farm
- Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum – Phoenix, AZ (1953-2011) link
Arizona Mining & Mineral Museum
- Ascot Park / Los Angeles Speedway – LA/Gardena, CA (1957-1990) – link
Ascot Park
- Astroland / Astro City Children’s Park – White Center (West Seattle) (1966-1989) Featured a then-futuristic space-age playground newspaper link
Astroland / Astro City Children’s Park
- Aztec Bowl (stadium) – San Diego, CA (1936-1966)
- Balboa Fun Zone (Balboa Peninsula) – Newport Beach, CA (1936-1972) & (1986-2006) – link …………………………………….
Balboa Fun Zone
- Bandon Cheese Factory – Bandon, OR (early 1900’s-2002) cheese tour & tasting – bought out by the Tillamook Cheese Company and then closed
Bandon Cheese Factory
- Barbie Doll Hall of Fame – Palo Alto, CA (1984-1999) over 20,000 Barbies were on display here! link / link#2 / SF Gate newspaper link / sold to original maker Mattel & moved to El Segundo in Southern California in 1999 – SF Gate newspaper link
Barbie Hall of Fame
- Barnes City Zoo / Barnes Circus Zoo– [Barnes City] Venice (1914-1919)/Culver City (1920-1926)/Baldwin Park, CA (1927-1929) – link
Barnes Circus Zoo (winter home)
- BayFair Shopping Center Kiddieland / Playland – San Leandro, CA (1957-196?) – link
- Baylands Raceway Park / Fremont Drag Strip – Fremont, CA (1959-1988) link #1 / link #2 / Facebook Page …………………..
Baylands Raceway Park
- Bay Meadows (Horse Racing Track) – San Mateo, CA (1934-2008) – link
Bay Meadows
- Bayocean Natatorium & Dance Pavilion – Bayocean, OR (just north of Tillamook) (1914-1932) additionally a planned amusement park was in the works but never materialized. Towards the end the attraction as well as the entire town was either burned to the ground or disappeared into the Pacific Ocean with little remaining today link / link#2 / link#3 …………..
Bayocean Natatorium & Dance Hall
- Bedrock City (Flintstones Park) – Chilliwack, BC, CANADA (1975-1994) eventually sold & renamed Dino Town in 1994 (*check out the listing further down this list known as Dino Town)
Bedrock City (Flintstones Park) – Chilliwack, BC
- Bedrock City (Flintstones Park) – Kelowna, BC, CANADA (19??-1998) link
- Bell Gardens Farm & Railroad – Valley Center, CA (1993-2003??) link
Bell Gardens Farm Railroad
- Belmont Park (Original Belmont Park) – San Diego (Mission Beach) – (1955-1976) see listing for Mission Beach Amusement Park further down this list for more insight link ………………. ……………….
Belmont Park (original incarnation)
- Bernheimer Oriental Gardens – Pacific Palisades, CA (1924-194?) link
Bernheimer Oriental Gardens
- Beverly Park Kiddieland – Los Angeles, CA (1945 -1974) was located on the corner of Beverly Blvd. & La Cienaga (where the Beverly Center stands now) link#1 / link#2 / out-of-print ‘E’ Ticket magazine link#3 / newspaper article link#4 / https://youtu.be/RUYc3uZbRW4 / Facebook link
Beverly Park Kiddieland
- Beverly Ponyland – Los Angeles, CA – located next door to Beverly Park Kiddieland (see the listing above this one for more info) …
Beverly Ponyland
- Bible Land (sand sculptures) – Calimesa, CA – (late 1960’s-1994) originally located in Temecula – then moved to Calimesa in 1973 – featured sand sculptures of various scenes primarily of the New Testament, including a life-sized rendition of the Last Supper. link#1 / link#2
Bible Land (Sand Sculpture of ‘The Last Supper’)
- Big Bear Park / Big Bear Water Resort (Waterslide Park / RV Park) – Waterford, CA (1970’s-2003) featured 11 water slides at one time – link
- Big Splash Water Park – Billings, MT (1992-2012) newspaper link
Big Splash Water Park
- Big Timber Waterslide – Big Timber, MT (closed in 2015)
Big Timber Waterslide
- Birch Bay Resort / Shore Acres Resort – Birch Bay (just south of Blaine), WA (1950-1978) at one time featured a small amusement park, roller rink, & penney arcade (several ownership changes over the years along with attraction changes) *check out extensive info link here – link / link#2
Birch Bay Amusement Park
- Black Canyon Greyhound Park (Dog Track) – Black Canyon, AZ (1967-1982) Originally built as a dog racing track and later used as a swap meet in the 1980’s – now sitting vacant and slowly deteriorating – link
Black Canyon Greyhound Park
- Blue Lagoon Water Park & Grand Prix Raceway – Vacaville, CA (1981-199?) Attractions included 4 Waterslides built into the side of a hill, bumper boats, skeeter boats, kiddie pool, arcade & kart racing ….
Blue Lagoon
Courtesy of Vacaville Heritage Council
- Blue Lake Park – Fairview/Troutdale, OR (1925-1960) rides removed in 1960 – link
- Boardwalk USA – Aurora & Colorado Springs, CO (2 locations) (1980’s-1990’s) – featured a huge arcade with unlimited video game play (which was the trademark of Boardwalk USA) plus also had go-karts, a mini-golf course, maze, bumper cars, kiddie world, laser tag and more – link#1 / link#2
- Bob’s Prehistoric City / Bob’s Museum & Rock Shop – Bliss, ID (closed in 2009) flickr pic
- Boron Air Force Station (USAF General Surveillance Radar Station) – Boron, CA (1952-1975) link / link#2 (lots of pics) ………….
Boron Air Force Station / Radar Station
- Brotherhood Raceway Park / Terminal Island Raceway – Terminal Island, CA (between San Pedro & Long Beach) (1974-1995) link
- Brown Derby Restaurant – Los Angeles, CA (1926-1980) There were 4 locations in the Los Angeles area (Wilshire, Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Los Feliz) The Hollywood location attracted movie stars frequently during the “Golden Age of Hollywood” – link#1 / link#2 ……………………………………………………….
The Brown Derby (Wilshire Blvd)
- Buckhorn Mineral Wells (Baths) & Wildlife Museum – Mesa, AZ (1939-2005?) link
Buckhorn Hot Mineral Baths & Wildlife Museum – Mesa, AZ
- Buckskin Joe Frontier Town & Railway – Cañon City, CO (1958-2010) – A Western-style theme park & Railway – originally an MGM movie set – link #1 / Colorado Springs Gazette newspaper about it’s closing
Buckskin Joe Frontier Town
- Buffalo Park – Flagstaff, AZ (1964-1969) This short-lived Wildlife Park featured more than 200 animals in a Wild West setting – link
Buffalo Park
- Buffalo Ranch – Corona Del Mar/Newport Harbor, CA (1954-1959) link#1 / link#2 / link#3
Buffalo Ranch Miniature Steam Train
- Bullwinkle’s Pizza & Family Entertainment – similar to Chuck E Cheese – themed after Rocky & Bullwinkle TV cartoon – large arcade, redemption center ‘trading post’, kiddie rides, animatronic entertainment – at one time back in the 80’s there were multiple locations throughout California – now there are only 2 – Tukwila, WA and Wilsonville, OR – current website link
Bullwinkles Pizza & Family Entertainment
- Busch Gardens – Pasadena, CA (original location) (1905-1937) – link / link#2
Busch Gardens (original Pasadena location)
- Busch Gardens / Busch Bird Sanctuary – Van Nuys, CA (1966-1979) – located adjacent to the Anheuser-Busch Brewery this park featured a monorail, boat rides, lagoons, thousands of rare birds, plus free beer! link#1 / link#2
Busch Gardens – Van Nuys
- Cajon Speedway – El Cajon, CA (1961-2004) – link
- California Alligator Farm – Buena Park, CA (1953-1986) relocated from Lincoln Park in Los Angeles – (see listing further down page for Los Angeles Alligator Farm) – link ………………………………………………….
California Alligator Farm – Buena Park
- California State Fairgrounds – Sacramento, CA (1909-1967) Originally the fair was held at the Capitol Park Pavilion (15th & N St) from 1880-1908 – Then came the move to Stockton Blvd. (at Broadway) location before the move to the current location, Cal Expo in 1968 – link#1 / link#2 / timeline history of the California State Fair / history of the fair pdf link / kcra link to old photos of the fair
California State Fairgrounds (Stockton Blvd)
Original home of the California State Fair at the Capitol Park Pavilion
- California State Fairgrounds Race Track – Sacramento, CA (1906-1970) two different locations that were built for both horse racing as well as auto racing link
- California State Military Museum – Sacramento, CA (1991-2014) was located in Old Sacramento – link …………………………………………….
California Military Museum
- Camelot Family Fun Park – former chain of family amusement centers located in Bakersfield, Fresno, Livermore, Modesto, Palm Springs & Santa Maria – all in California – merged with Boomers! in 2001 and still operate under the the Boomers! name (although the Bakersfield location still operates under the Camelot name) – link
- Camp 6 Logging Museum – Tacoma, WA (1964-2010) – was located on a 14-acre forested site inside Point Defiance Park featuring several historic buildings and over 500 tons railroad and logging equipment. Many pieces of equipment were powered by steam. – link ………………………………………………………….
Camp 6 Logging Museum
- Candlestick Park – San Francisco, CA (1960-2014) – (also known as 3-Com Park & Monster Park for a short time) – former home of the San Francisco Giants & San Francisco 49ers – also The Beatles gave their final full concert at Candlestick Park on August 29, 1966 – park history link with pics
Candlestick Park (opening day 1960)
- Carr’s One-of-A-Kind-In-The-World Museum – Spokane (Hillyard), WA
(1997-2013) – link / also here’s a short video of the museum along with an informal interview with the founder, Marvin Carr about how it all began………………………………….. http://www.spokesman.com/video/2011/feb/23/one-kind-world-museum/
Carr’s One Of A Kind In The World Museum
- Carlsbad Raceway – Carlsbad, CA (1964-2004) – link
Carlsbad Raceway
- Casino Legends Hall of Fame Museum – Las Vegas, NV (inside the former Tropicana Casino Resort) Featured the world’s largest collection of casino memorabilia – link ………………………………………….
Casino Legends Hall of Fame Museum
- Castle Golf Family Fun Park – Prescott Valley, AZ (1992-2004) newspaper link#1 / newspaper link#2
- Caverns of Mystery / Dinosaur Caves / Pacific Museum – Shell Beach, CA (just south of Pismo Beach) (1948-195?) link / history link ……….
Dinosaur Caves statue (never completed)
Caverns of Mystery
- Cawston Ostrich Farm – South Pasadena (Arroyo Seco Valley) (1886-1935) – link#1 / link#2 ………………………………….
Cawston Ostrich Farm
- Celebrity Sports Center – Glendale, CO (1960-1994) A “huge indoor funland,” an iconic landmark “uniquely Denver,” Celebrity’s was home to 80 bowling lanes, more than 300 video games and pinball machines spread across three arcades, an olympic size pool with three water slides, a billiard room, a full-service restaurant, the “Hofbräu” bar, bumper cars and a shooting gallery which were located in the “Fun Center” game room downstairs, the largest of the 3 arcade rooms, where there were ticketed games such as Skee ball or Boom ball to play for prizes. The original investors included Walt Disney, his brother Roy, Jack Benny, Bing Crosby, George Burns, Charles Laughton, Burl Ives, Art Linkletter, John Payne, Spike Jones and Jim and Marion Jordan. link#1 / link#2 / link#3 / link#4 / great history link & here’s one more
Celebrity Sports Center
- Champlin Fighter Museum – Mesa, AZ (1981-2003) specialized in airworthy World War I and World War II fighter planes – link
Champlin Fighter Museum
- Chandler Vintage Museum of Transportation & Wildlife – Oxnard, CA (1987-2006) – featured an extensive collection of vintage and rare classic, antique & sport automobiles, motorcycles and trains as well as fine art and wildlife game – link
Chandler Vintage Museum of Transportation & Wildlife – Oxnard
- Children’s Museum of Los Angeles – Los Angeles, CA (1979-2009) – museum was located in the Hansen Dam Recreation Area (part of the Lake View Terrace neighborhood of Los Angeles) – link ………………………
Children’s Museum of Los Angeles
- Chimpanzee & Human Communication Institute (CHCI) – Ellensburg, WA (1993-2013) located on the campus of Central Washington University in Ellensburg. CHCI included a sanctuary for chimpanzees who have learned to communicate with humans and each other using American Sign Language. link#1 / pdf link brochure
Chimpanzee & Human Communication Institute
- Chutes Park – Los Angeles, CA (1900-1910) Originally opened as Washington Gardens (a trolley park) in 1887. Under new ownership & renamed Chutes Park, renovation took place in late 1900. Attractions started appearing that included a vaudeville theater, a circus, hot air balloon rides, a miniature railroad, a rollercoaster, a giant boat waterslide, a merry-go-round, a seal pond, a monkey circus, a Temple of Mirth & a daily reenactment of a Civil War sea battle. It sold in 1910 and then reopened in 1911 as Luna Park….. (check out the listing for Luna Park-LA) – link#1 / link#2
Chutes Park – Los Angeles
- Chutes-At-The-Beach – San Francisco, CA (1884-1926) eventually evolved into Playland–At-The-Beach – (check out Playland-At-The-Beach listing further down this list) – link
Chutes-At-The-Beach – San Francisco
- Circle Star Theatre – San Carlos, CA (1960’s-1993) live music venue which featured a unique revolving stage link#1 / link #2
Circle Star Theatre
- Cliff House – San Francisco, CA – Original Cliff House (1863-1894), Victorian Cliff House (1896-1907), Neoclassical Cliff House (1909 – ??) The legendary Cliff House has had five major incarnations since its beginnings in 1858. (Check out the listing for Sutro Baths further down this list) – National Park Service history link / Cliff House Project link / link #3
Original Cliff House – San Francisco (circa 1863)
Victorian Cliff House – San Francisco (circa 1900)
Neoclassical Cliff House – San Francisco (circa 1930s)
Cliff House – San Francisco (circa 1941)
Cliff House – San Francisco (circa 1960)
Cliff House – San Francisco (circa 1990’s)
- Clovis Speedway (formerly Clovis Rodeo Grounds)- Clovis, CA (1960-1980?) link / brief info here (pdf)
- Club Disney – Thousand Oaks, CA (1997-1999) A Disney-themed regional childrens play center – this was the first location – additional locations were in West Covina, CA as well as Chandler, AZ and Glendale, AZ – All locations were closed in 1999 – link ….
- Coconut Grove (Dance Hall)- Salt Lake City, UT (1931) – advertised as the largest ballroom in America. At some point in the 1940’s it became known as the Rainbow Ballroom. Then in 1946, the name changed again to the Rainbow Randevu, then to Danceland in 1958 and finally renamed The Terrace in the early 60’s (closed for good 1981) link ………………………………………………………………………………………
Coconut Grove / Rainbow Ballroom
- Colonial Greens Miniature Golf + Carousel Roller Rink – Fresno (Maple @ Shields)
- Colorado History Museum – Denver, CO (1976-2010)
- Columbia Beach Amusement Park – Sand Island/Tomahawk Island/Hayden Island, OR (1916-1926) – link
- Columbia Gardens (Amusement Park) – Butte, MT (1899-1973) – link
Columbia Gardens Amusement Park
- Columbia River Exhibition of History, Science & Technology Museum (CREHST) – Richland, WA (1996-2014) Transitioning into the ‘Hanford Reach Interpretive Center’ – website link / newspaper link about closure
CREHST Museum
- Colusa Paranormal Museum & Experience Center – Colusa, CA – supposedly built on a prehistoric Indian burial ground. The building contains a cellar that leads to tunnels built by the Chinese many years ago – link
Colusa Paranormal Museum & Experience Center
- Coney Island Amusement Park – Reno/Sparks, NV (1909-192?) link #1 / link#2
Coney Island – Reno
- Continental Divide Raceway – Castle Rock, CO (1959-1983) link
- Copia: The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts – Napa, CA (2001-2008) link
- Corriganville Movie Ranch – Santa Susana (Simi Valley), CA (1949-1965) sold to Bob Hope and renamed Hopetown 1966 – Fires destroyed most of the structures in 1970 and again in 1979 – Now named Corriganville Regional Park, the Corriganville Movie Ranch is now a public park operated by the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District – link#1 / link#2 / PDF brochure & history
Corriganville Movie Ranch
- Cotati Raceway – Cotati, CA (1957-1972) – link
- Council Crest Amusement Park (“The Dreamland of the Northwest”) + Big Tree Observatory – Portland, OR (1907-1929) – link
Council Crest “The Dreamland of the Northwest” – Portland
- Cowboy Memorial Museum & Library – Caliente, CA link
Cowboy Memorial Museum & Library
Cowboy Memorial Museum & Library
- Crazy Horse Campground & Waterslide – Shingle Springs, CA (1972-2000?) Supposedly the very 1st man-made waterslide – Also featuring miniature golf, pedal boats, horseback riding, fishing & swimming in addition to the campground – Here is the link to archived newspaper article referencing Crazy Horse Waterslide – facebook
Crazy Horse Campground & Waterslide
- Crystal Garden – Victoria, BC CANADA (1925- 2016?) – has had several incarnations over the past 90 years including the largest heated indoor pool in the British Commonwealth, amusement center, botanical garden, tea garden, tropical conservatory, banquet facility as well as other limited-time tourist attractions – link / YouTube video link
- Deerland Park Zoo & Flea Market – Klamath Falls, OR (1969-1980) – recent obituary link of founder/owner
- Dennis The Menace Playground @ El Estero Park – Monterey, CA … Footnote: This incredible & unique playground was opened in 1956 and although it is still in existence today, there has been a huge overhaul of the play structures with many of the age old favorites from previous generations (“edgy” metal structures) being replaced by modern plastic & foam structures that are much safer by today’s standards… follow this LINK for details, first-hand stories, pics and the history of this memorable place – Here’s yet another… Facebook link
Dennis The Menace Playground (original)
- Depoe Bay Aquarium – Depoe Bay, OR (1927-1998) Oregon’s first aquarium as well as the oldest privately-owned aquarium in the US – link#1 / link#2
Depoe Bay Aquarium (circa 1934)
- Depoe Bay Wildlife Museum – Depoe Bay, OR (1937-19??) – link
- Dino Town – Bridal Falls, BC Canada (1994- 2010) Formerly known as Flinstone’s Park & Bedrock City (see that listing above) – link #1 / link #2
DinoTown – Bridal Falls, BC, Canada
- Dinosaur Land – Alpine, CA (1962-1964) short-lived dinosaur theme park that had big plans for inclusion of a rollercoaster, water rides and more – several life-size dinosaurs “roamed” the park as well as other living creatures – Bob The Dinosaur can still be found on the property although somewhat hidden – link / youtube video
- Dinosaur Park / International Petrified Forest & Painted Desert / Museum of The Americas – Sun Valley, AZ (just east of Holbrook) (1999-2007) not to be confused with the Petrified Forest National Park 20 miles further to the east towards the New Mexico state line – link#1 / link#2 / link#3 …………….
Dinosaur Park – Sun Valley, AZ
- Doggie Diner – San Francisco, CA (multiple San Francisco Bay Area locations) (1949-1986) link …………………….
Doggie Diner – San Francisco
Doggie Diner
- Earthquake The Ride / Enchanted World of Old San Francisco (at Fisherman’s Wharf) – San Francisco, CA (1975 -1995) –link (check out the following vintage footage from YouTube and watch the promo from 4:48 on) youtube link .
Enchanted World of Old San Francisco
- Edgewater Packing Company / Amusement Arcade & Historic Carousel – Monterey, CA (1970s-1990s?) located in the heart of Cannery Row the main attraction here was the rare antique 1905 Herschell-Spillman wooden carousel link
Edgewater Packing Company Historic Carousel (Cannery Row)
- Edmonds Field – Sacramento, CA (1949-1964) former home of the old Sacramento Solons Baseball Club of the Pacific Coast League (PCL)
- Electric Park – Aberdeen, WA (circa 1900)
- Electric Park – Bellingham, WA (circa 1900)
- Elitch Gardens (Amusement Park) (original location – West Highland area) Denver, CO (1890-1994) still open in new location under new ownership – link#1 / link#2 ………………
Elitch Gardens (original Denver location)
- Ella’s Frontier Trading Post / Last Frontier – Joseph City, AZ (1955-1980) self-proclaimed oldest trading post along Hwy 66 – also featured an early western museum – link / link#2 / link#3 …………………
Ella’s Frontier Trading Post
Last Frontier Trading Post
- Elvis-A-Rama Museum – Las Vegas, NV (closed in 2006) – link#1 / link#2
Elvis-A-Rama Museum – Las Vegas
- Emeryville Motorcycle Speedway – Emeryville, CA (1930’s-??)
- Enchanted Village – Buena Park, CA (1976-1977) see listing for Japanese Village & Deer Park – link#1 / link#2 / link#3
Enchanted Village – Buena Park
- Enchanted Village – Federal Way, WA (opened 1977 as a small ‘kiddie ride park’), then merged with the newly built Wild Waves Water Park in 1984 – a few ownership changes since– still in operation – link
- End of The Oregon Trail Interpretive Center & Museum – Oregon City, OR (closed 2009) …………………………………………………
End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center & Museum
- The Engine House – Sunnyvale, CA (closed in 1991) (huge train and hobby dungeon-like store with permanent expansive operating train layout) – link to the 1995 newspaper article about the auctioning off of the massive inventory dating back to the 1930’s – here’s a great link to past South Bay hobby shops focussing on trains
- Ewu’s Paradise Theater – Aspen, CO (1978-1984) was a live music venue well known in the area
- Exotic World / Strippers Hall of Fame – Helendale, CA (closed in 2006)
- Family Fun World – Eloy, AZ – not sure whether this one ever truly “opened for business” – link#1 / link#2 ……………………………..
Family Fun World (remnants)
- Family Fun Center – Former chain of Southern California family amusement centers located in Anaheim, El Cajon, Escondido, Fountain Valley, San Diego (Kearny Mesa), Upland & Vista – merged with Boomers! in 2001 and still operate under the Boomers! name
- Family Fun Center – LaMesa, CA (1961-1990) relocated to El Cajon to make room for a freeway offramp – LA Times newspaper article link from Sept/1990
Family Fun Center – LaMesa
- Fantasy Doll Show (Birdcage Theatre) – Yermo, CA (1953-1980) check out listing further down this list for ‘Possum Trot’ – link#1 / link#2 / link#3
Fantasy Doll Show (Birdcage Theatre)
Fantasy Doll Show (Birdcage Theatre)
- Fantasy Gardens / Fantasy Garden World – Richmond, BC CANADA (1970’s-2010) – link
Fantasy Gardens – Richmond, BC Canada
- Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour – 130 locations nationwide at their peak (1963-1990) (“Farrell’s Features Fabulous Food and Fantastic Fountain Fantasies for Frolicking Fun-Filled Festive Families”) (1963-1990) –link#1 / link#2 ….
Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour
- Fiddlesticks Family Fun Park – Tempe, AZ (1992-2011) featuring a video arcade, laser tag, miniature golf, kiddie midway rides, go-karts & batting cages newspaper link
- The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA (famous auditorium/concert hall & historic music venue) (196?-1989) decimated by 1989 SF earthquake – link#1 / link#2
- Fillmore West – San Francisco, CA (well-known concert hall & music venue) (1968-1989)
Fleishacker Pool (2-tier platform dive) – San Francisco
- Fleishhacker Pool – San Francisco, CA (1925-1971) at one time was the largest pool in the U.S. and supposedly could be seen from space – link
Fleishacker Pool (circa 1930’s)
- Flying Lady Restaurant / Hill Country Museum & Country Club – San Martin, CA (1972-2006) a one-of-a-kind expansive restaurant/museum combination. The dining room featured a Piper Cub plane hanging overhead from the ceiling along with scale model planes that circled the perimeter of the restaurant on a rotating rack. Outside were totem polls and a 40,000-square-foot hanger loaded with unusual antique & vintage aircraft, cars, wood carvings & other fascinating items newspaper link / youtube video#1 / youtube video #2 / newspaper memorial on the death of the founder & entrepreneuer Irv Perch / link
Flying Lady Restaurant
- Fort Ord (US Army Base) – Monterey Bay, CA (between Sand City & Seaside) (1917-1994) link#1 / link#2 / link#3 / link#4 (lots of great pics) / link#5 (Fort Ord 20 years later) ………………………………………
Ford Ord (main gate)
- Fossil Cabin (Museum)/ Como Bluff Dinosaurium – Como Bluff (Medicine Bow), WY (1932-199?) cabin constructed entirely of dinosaur bones excavated from the neighboring Como Bluff “Dinosaur Graveyard” – link#1 / link#2 / link#3
Fossil Cabin – Como Bluff, WY
- Fox Theatre – San Francisco, CA (1929-1963) – The iconic Fox Theater was a 4,651 seat movie palace located at 1350 Market Street in San Francisco – built in 1929 by movie pioneer William Fox as a showcase for the films of the Fox Film Corporatio along with elaborate stage shows. historic link / link #2 / link #3
Fox Theatre – San Francisco
- Fraser’s Million Dollar Pier – Ocean Park, CA (1911-1912) – a destructive fire burned down the pier as well as the amusement park in 1912 (see listing for Ocean Park Pier further down this list) link
Fraser’s Million Dollar Pier
- Frasier’s Frontier – El Cajon, CA (1993-1996) this place evolved from Marshal Scotty’s Playland (check out that listing further down the list)
Frasier’s Frontier
- Fraser Pier / Pickering Pier – Santa Monica, CA – link
- Fresno Metropolitan Museum of Art & Science – Fresno, CA (1984-2010) – link
- Frontier Relics Museum – Dos Cabezas, AZ (A partial Ghost Town just south of Wilcox, AZ) – (1982-2007) – link#1 / link#2 / link#3 (founder’s recent obituary)
Frontier Relics Museum
- Frontier Town – near Helena, MT (1946-1999?) – link
Frontier Town (Montana)
- Frontier Town / Big Oak Ranch (Wild West Theme Park) – Dehesa/Granite Hills/Harbinson Canyon (just east of El Cajon, CA) (1960’s-198?) link#1 / link#2 (1996 LA Times newspaper article about the owner of this property and his murder trial committed at this once popular western tourist attraction)
Frontier Town Wild West Theme Park
- Frontier Village – San Jose, CA (1961-1980) – An Old Wild-West theme park that featured a large 30-gauge train, Lost Dutchman Mine Ride, Duster Turnpike car rides, Antique Auto car ride, burro pack rides, Indian Jim Canoes, Old 99 Train, Horse-drawn stagecoach rides, carousel, Ferris Wheel, Apache Whirlwind Rollercoaster, El Sito Mysterio (gravity mystery house), Rainbow Falls (a Trout fishing pond), Indian Island, petting zoo, shooting gallery, old west style gunfights on Main Street, carnival type rides & much more link#1 / link#2 / link#3 / Remembering Frontier Village Facebook link / youtube video: Frontier Village Remembered / Frontier Village: The Last Day video / 1980 Evening Magazine TV episode ‘live’ from Frontier Village near the end of the park’s existence
Frontier Village (main entrance)
Frontier Village Stagecoach (Stage Lines)
Frontier Village (Victorian Train Station)
- Fun City Family Entertainment / Fun Plex / Fat City / Mr. Biggs – Littleton, CO (1980’s-2016) featured mini golf, bowling alley, go-kart raceway, roller skating, laser tag & arcade – link#1 / link#2 ……………………….
Fun City Family Entertainment
- Fun Forest Amusement Park @ Seattle Center – Seattle, WA (1962-2010) (scheduled for closing in 2010) – website link / May/2010 newspaper article link / 2007 newspaper article link …………………..
Fun Forest (Seattle Center) (circa 1972)
- Fun Junction / Guyton’s Fun Junction – Grand Junction, CO (1954-2004) – info link
- Funland Amusement Park – Las Vegas, NV (1954-1955) formerly located at the corner of Boulder Hwy and Nellis Blvd in unincorporated Sunrise Manor (east of Las Vegas) near where Sam’s Town is today
- Gay’s Lion Farm – El Monte, CA (1925-1942) – link / youtube link
Gay’s Lion Farm
- Gayway Park (on the pier) – Seaside, OR (1950’s-1980’s) – link
Gayway Park (on the Pier) Carousel
- George Air Force Base – Victorville, CA (1941-1992)
- Gilmore Field –Los Angeles, CA (1939-1957) – former home of the old Hollywood Stars Baseball Club from the Pacific Coast League (PCL)
- Gilmore Stadium – Los Angeles, CA (1934-1952)
- Gilroy Hot Springs / Gilroy Yamato Hot Springs – Gilroy, CA (1890-1980) link#1 / link#2 ……………………..
- Goebel’s Lion Farm / Goebel’s Wild Animal Farm – Thousand Oaks, CA (1926-1945) eventually evolved into Jungleland after being sold. (check out the Jungleland listing further down this list) – link#1 / link#2 …………………………………
Goebel’s Lion Farm
Goebel’s Wild Animal Farm
- Golf-O-Rama / Steakburger – Hazel Dell (Vancouver), WA (1962-2014) link
Golf-O-Rama / Steakburger
- Golfland – South El Monte, CA
- Golfland / Wild West Waterslide – Stockton, CA (1970’s-1980’s) – miniature golf, waterslides, bumper boats, batting cages
- Goretorium (Eli Roth’s Goretorium) – Las Vegas, NV (2012-2013) The Goretorium was part haunted house & part nightclub (bar) link#1 / link#2
Eli Roth’s Goretorium
- Grand Canyon Red Butte Airport (Scenic Airways) – Tusayan, AZ (near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon) (1927-1965) The home of the original Grand Canyon Airport – this is also the first commercial air tours over the nearby Grand Canyon – link / link#2 / link#3 ……………….
Original Grand Canyon Airport (Red Butte)
- Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (original) – Hollywood, CA (1927-????) legendary Hollywood theater now known as Mann’s Chinese Theater – link
Original Grauman’s Chinese Theater
- Green Lake Aqua Theater – (Green Lake) Seattle, WA (1950-1969) – link #1 / link #2
- Green Valley Miniature Golf / Wet & Wild Waterslides – Bakersfield, CA
Wet & Wild Waterslides – Bakersfield
- Griffith Park Zoo (Old Los Angeles Zoo) – Los Angeles, CA – (1912-1965) the old (but not original) Los Angeles Zoo – relocated a couple of miles north – remnants of the zoo’s housing facilities still can be found in various degrees of decay and ruins – lots of trails still remain – see sign below – link#1 (great pics) / link#2
Old Los Angeles Zoo (Griffith Park)
- Grouse Mouse Coaster / Mountain Coaster – North Vancouver, BC CANADA (1970’s-1980’s) – located at Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mouse Coaster
- Guinness Museum of World Records – San Francisco, CA (on Fisherman’s Wharf)
- Guinness Museum of World Records – Las Vegas, NV
- Hall of Health ‘Hands-On’ Health Museum – Berkeley, CA (1974-2009) – link / link#2 (newspaper article about it’s closing)
Hall of Health ‘Hands-On’ Health Museum
- Hamilton Air Force Base – Novato, CA (1929-1974)
- Hangman’s Tree Historic Spot – Placerville, CA
Hangman’s Tree Historic Spot
- Happyland (at Hastings Park) – Vancouver, BC, Canada (1910-1957) evolved into Playland At The Pacific Nation Exhibition (PNE) on the opposite side of the PNE in 1958 – link#1 / link#2 ………………………………….
Happyland (Hastings Park)
- Harrah’s Automobile Museum (Original) – Sparks, NV
- Hart’s Reptile World – Canby, OR (1980-2002) the actual facility is closed but they still offer community educational programs as well as tour around the region – website link
- Haunted Gold Mine (at Fisherman’s Wharf) – San Francisco, CA (1979-1998) link (scroll down to almost the bottom within the link)
Haunted Gold Mine (Fishermans Wharf)
- Hazard’s Pavilion (1887-1906) / Clune’s Auditorium / Philharmonic Auditorium (closed 1985) – Los Angeles, CA – link
- Heights Water Slide – Billings, MT (1980’s-early 90’s)
Heights Water Slide
- Helen Moe Antique Doll Museum – Paso Robles, CA (1960s-2005) contained a 50 year collection of Antique dolls dating back to 1540 as well as authentic room settings depicting the early 1900’s – pdf book link / auction info link
- Hershey’s Chocolate Factory & Visitor Center (tour) – Oakdale, CA (1965-2008) main facility in Hershey, PA still remains in production at this time website – Here’s the link about it’s closure
Hershey’s Chocolate Visitor Center
- Hill Country – San Martin, CA (1972-2006) antique auto & plane museum in addition to a country club golf course (evolved into Wings of History Museum) (check out listing for the Flying Lady Restaurant & Museum up above) – link
- Hi Jolly Date Gardens & Petting Zoo – Mesa, AZ (1950’s-1970’s??)
Hi-Jolly Date Gardens & Petting Zoo
- Hobbiton USA / The Living Chimney Tree – Phillipsville, CA (closed in 2008?) (located along Avenue of the Giants off Hwy 101 in the Northern California Redwoods of Humboldt County) – really cool kitschy nature hike through the hilly redwood trail that took visitors through the tale of J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic ‘The Hobbit’ featuring dioramas of the storyline – link / YouTube link
Hobbiton USA
- Holiday On Ice – Touring Ice Show Production at various arenas (1943-1970)
- Hollywood Erotic Museum – Hollywood, CA (closed in 2006)
- Hollywood Palace / Hollywood Playhouse – Hollywood, CA (1927-1978)
- Hoppyland (Venice Lake Park) – Venice, CA (1951-1954) – with Hopalong Cassidy, the cowboy hero of TV & movie fame as a business partner & frequent guest star – this park included a special kiddie land area featuring a miniature merry-go-round, Ferris wheel, sleigh ride, airplane, pony cart rides & auto rides. link – link#2
Hoppyland (Venice Lake Park)
- Houdini Museum – Las Vegas, NV (originally opened in 2000 inside the Venetian Resort Hotel, then moved to Ceasars Palace – now closed) link
- House of Poverty Museum – Moses Lake, WA (closed in 2006) – Link #1 / Link#2
House of Poverty Museum
- Howling Wolf Lodge & Wild Animal Sanctuary – Leggett, CA (1978-1984) featuring “retired” wild animals of TV and motion pictures fame (television commercials too) -See listing further down this list for ‘Pat Derby’s Wild Animals’ for more info – fantastic link
Howling Wolf Lodge & Wild Animal Sanctuary
- Ice Capades – Touring Ice Show Production at various arenas (1940-1995)
- Ice Follies – Touring Ice Show Producion at various arenas (1937-1979)
- Idlewild Park Playland (Lion’s Kiddie Park) – Reno, NV – A small kiddie amusement park located within Idlewild Park – Idlewild Park is still intact however the rides have been closed and removed from the park with the exception of the miniature train ride – Link
- Idora Park – Oakland, CA (1904-1929) – link#1/ link#2
Idora Park
- Indian Forest – Florence, OR (1970’s-1980’s) authentic Walk-Thru Indian Village with live buffalo link to pic of entrance & gift shop (currently vacant & for sale)
Indian Forest / Walk Thru Indian Village
- Indian Village – (Eastlake Park/Lincoln Park) Los Angeles, CA – link
- Insect Lore USA Bugseum – Shafter, CA (2009-2014) Bakerfield Californian newspaper link about opening / Tehachapi newspaper link about closing
Insect Lore Bugseum (Museum)
- Italian Swiss Colony Winery / Historic Asti Winery – Asti, CA (Alexander Valley) (1881-1989) This was the largest winery in California which also featured the biggest underground vat (wine storage tank). Wine making tours (as well as wine sampling in the Wine Cellar Tasting Room) were offered here for many years. At one time, this winery was the second most visited destination in California, next to Disneyland! link#1 / link#2 / link#3
Italian Swiss Colony Winery
Italian Swiss Colony Winery (Tasting Cellar)
- J’s Amusement Park – Guerneville, CA (197?-2003) – link #1 / link #2
J’s Amusement Park
- Jantzen Beach Amusement Park – Hayden Island (Portland), OR (1928-1970) – link#1 / link#2 …………………………………….
Jantzen Beach Amusement Park
Jantzen Beach Amusement Park (Big Dipper)
- Japanese Flower Garden / South Mountain Flower Gardens – South Phoenix (Near South Mountain stretching for miles along Baseline Road) (mid-1930’s-late 1980’s) link
Japanese Flower Gardens
- Japanese Village & Deer Park – Buena Park, CA (1967-1974) see listing for Enchanted Village – link#1 / link#2 / link#3
Japanese Village & Deer Park
- Jellystone Park (Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park) – Soledad Sands (Acton), CA (1960’s-70’s?) popular cartoon themed resort/campground with miniature steam train, giant slide, waterslide?, pool, BMX track, pinball arcade… also there were a number of other campgrounds in the area, Soledad Sands, White Rock Lake, Robin’s Nest (where they used to film the original Tarzan TV show), Vasquez Rocks (Agua Dulce), Oasis Park, Cypress Resort, etc.) link
- Jones Fantastic Museum – Lynnwood, WA (1959-1980) – eventually relocated to the Seattle Center in Seattle – link / link#2 / youtube museum tour (scroll further down to see listing called Museum of the Fantastic) …………………………………..
Jones Fantastic Museum
- Joyland – Sacramento (Oak Park) (1895-1920) featured acres of shady oak trees, a zoo, carousel & ballpark. When Sacramento Electric, Gas & Railway Company acquired the Oak Park terminus in 1903, they added a wooden roller coaster, a roller skating rink, an outdoor theater, and a scenic miniature railway. Joyland was born when the park was renovated to include an amusement park, electric lights, and swimming pool. In addition to local amusement, Joyland was intended to showcase the abilities of electric power and increase ridership on the new electric streetcars. Joyland caught fire in 1920 and never reopened. Today this is McClatchy Park – link#1 / link#2
- Joy Zone – Seal Beach, CA (1916-1920?) – link
Joy Zone – Seal Beach
- Julia Davis Fun Depot (in Julia Davis Park) – Boise, ID (1991-2002)
- Jungle Island – Buena Park, CA (across Beach Blvd. from Knott’s Berry Farm)
Jungle Island (at Knott’s Berry Farm) (across Beach Blvd.)
- Jungle Jim’s Playland – Glendale/Mesa/Phoenix, AZ (closed ??)
Jungleland USA
- Jungleland USA / World Jungle Compound – Thousand Oaks, CA (1945-1969) started out initially as Goebel’s Lion Farm (see Goebel listing above) and eventually evolved into Jungleland – link#1 / link#2 / link#3 / youtube tribute
Jungleland – Thousand Oaks
Jungleland USA
- Karts N’ Golf – Fremont, CA (closed in 2008)
- Kearney Bowl Speedway / Airport Speedway (original name) – Fresno, CA (1950’s-1970) across from the Chandler Airport in Southwest Fresno – brief info (pdf)
- Kern River Park / Old Hart Park – Bakersfield, CA (1929-1992) This large park featured a large amphitheater, cascading waterfall, large swimming pool (2nd largest in California) with a gigantic “Plunge” attraction (Kern River Park Plunge), peddle boats rentals, bike rentals, bath house, ‘People’s Playground’, Hart Park Zoo, ‘Kiddieland’ amusement park (1940), large metal rollercoaster, electric bumper cars, train ride (Kern River Railroad) and waterslides Water World) – 100 Years at Old Hart Park pdf link / link#2 / link#3 ………………………
Kern River Railroad
- Kezar Stadium – San Francisco, CA (1925-1989) original home of the San Francisco 49ers Football Club – located inside Golden Gate Park
- Kiddieland / Grampaw Mack’s Kiddieland – Garden Grove, CA (1950’s-early 1970’s) – link ………………………………………
Grampaw Mack’s Kiddieland
- Kiddie Land – Sacramento, CA (early 1940’s-1983) – formerly located inside William Land Park – evolved into Funderland – history link in PDF format
- Kiddieland – Bakersfield, CA – formerly located inside Kern River Park / Hart Park – link (check out listing above for Kern River Park for much more info and 2 additional historical links about this attraction)
- Kiddieland @ Encanto Park – Phoenix, AZ (1948-1986)
Kiddieland (Encanto Park)
- Kiddie Land Amusement Park – San Bernardino, CA – formerly located inside of Perris Hill Park
- Kiddyland of Lake Arrowhead – Lake Arrowhead, CA (1950’s) link #1 (photos of attractions from worthpoint auction) – link #2 (obituary of owner)
- Kingdom of Dancing Stallions – Buena Park, CA (1978-1983) sold in 1984 and converted into the Medieval Times Dinner Theater
- Kingdome – Seattle, WA (1976-2000) – former ‘domed-stadium’ home of the Seattle Mariners Baseball Club & Seattle Seahawks Football Club – link#1 / link#2 / link#3 / link#4
The Kingdome – Seattle
- Kiowa Frontier Funtown – Kiowa, MT (located just east of Glacier National Park)
- Lake Dolores (1967-1989)/ Rock-A-Hoola Waterpark (1990-2001)/ Discovery Waterpark (2002-2004) – Newberry Springs, CA – America’s first water park – link#1 / link#2 / link#3 / youtube history video + old TV commercial / youtube video promo spot …………………………………………..
Lake Delores (early years)
Rock-A-Hoola Waterpark
Lake Delores / Rock-A-Hoola Waterpark
- Lake Minnequa Amusement Park – Pueblo, CO (1902-1940) link
Lake Minnequa Amusement Park
- Lakeside Amusement Park – Tempe, AZ (1949-1950??)
- Lane Field – San Diego, CA (1936-1957) former home of the San Diego Padres Baseball Club of the old Pacific Coast League (PCL)
- Las Vegas Downs (greyhound dog race track) – Las Vegas, NV (1980-1986) pdf file newspaper link
- Las Vegas Park Speedway / Las Vegas Jockey Club – Las Vegas, NV (1953-1959) operated as both a horse and auto racing facility link / newspaper link / link#3
Las Vegas Park
- Legend City – Tempe, AZ (1963-1983) – a western themed amusement park – link#1/ link#2 ……………………………
Legend City (main entrance)
Legend City (Lost Dutchman Mine)
- Legion Ascot Speedway – El Sereno/Los Angeles, CA (1924-1936) – link
- Leschi Park – Seattle, WA (1889-1909?) – featured included a casino, amusement park, garden, boat rentals & zoo – link
- Liberace Museum – Las Vegas (Paradise), NV (1979-2010) – link / link#2
Liberace Museum – Las Vegas, NV
- Lick’s Dome Pier – Ocean Beach, CA (1913-1924) – link#1 / link#2
Lick’s Dome Pier
- Lion Country Safari – Irvine, CA (1970-1984) one of the earliest & largest drive-through animal/safari parks in the west – link#1/ link#2
Lion Country Safari
- Lions Drag Strip – Wilmington (Los Angeles), CA (1955-1972) link
- Little Indy 500 Go-Karts (Race Track) – Milpitas, CA (1970’s-1980’s)
- Little Rascals Petting Zoo – Kelowna, BC, CANADA link
- Lollipop Park – Bellevue, WA (1960’s-1980’s?) A small kiddie amusement park that was located on the grounds of the Bellevue Square shopping center when it was still an outdoor mall (before it was enclosed)
- Longacres Race Track (horse racing) – Renton, WA (1933-1992) – link
Longacres – Renton
- Long Beach Pike (1902-1949)/ Nu Pike (1949-1971)/ Queens Pike (1971-1979) – Long Beach, CA – link#1/link#2
Long Beach Pike (Cyclone Racer)
- Los Angeles Alligator Farm / California Alligator Farm – Lincoln Heights (Los Angeles), CA (1907-1953) then moved to Buena Park (1953-1984) – link
California Alligator Farm – Los Angeles (Lincoln Park)
- Los Angeles Ostrich Farm – Lincoln Heights (Los Angeles), CA (1906-????) – link …………………………………………………….
Los Angeles Ostrich Farm
- Los Angeles County Raceway / Palmdale Dragstrip / Antelope Valley Raceway (NHRA Drag Racing) – Palmdale, CA (1980-2007) link
- Los Angeles Motordrome – Playa Del Rey, CA (1910-1913) link
Los Angeles Motordrome
- Lost Flea Market – San Jose, CA (1960’s-1980’s ??) A western-themed flea market formerly located on Monterey Road
- Lost World / Enchanted Forest – Scotts Valley, CA (1963-1975) also see listing below under Tree Circus – updated newspaper link#1 / link#2 / Facebook page Link
Lost World – Scotts Valley
- Lotus Isle Amusement Park (Wonderland of the Pacific) – Tomahawk Island (on the outskirts of Portland), OR (1930-1932) – link
- Louis Lee’s Oriental Rock Garden – Paradise Valley, AZ (1958-2006?) – link#1/link#2 …………………………………………
Louis Lee’s Oriental Rock Garden
- Lucas Kiddie Land – Los Angeles (Silver Lake) – (1940-195?) Located on Riverside Drive in the Silver Lake region of Los Angeles
Lucas Kiddie Land
- Luna Park – Los Angeles, CA (1911-1914) see Chutes Park listing link#1/link#2
- Luna Park – San Jose, CA (early 1900’s – late 1920’s) early historic amusement park with a carousel, rollercoaster, other rides, amusement games and sports fields – link
- Luna Park – Seattle, WA (1907-1913) – link#1 / link#2 / link#3 / link#4
Luna Park – Seattle
- Luna Park Zoo – (Eastlake Park/Lincoln Heights) Los Angeles, CA (1925-1931) evolved into California Zoological Gardens – link
- Magic Carpet Miniature Golf – Tucson, AZ (1969-2008) – great photos – flicker
Magic Carpet Miniature Golf
- Magic Mountain (original) – Valencia, CA (1971-1979) before being purchased by Six Flags in 1979 –still open with many changes) – link#1 / link#2 / link#3
Magic Mountain (1970’s)
- Magic Mountain – Golden, CO (1959-1960) – link #1 / link # 2
Magic Mountain – Golden, CO
- Manhattan Beach (1881-1908) / Luna Park (1908-1914) Edgewater (on the edge of Sloan’s Lake), CO – This was supposedly the 1st amusement park built and operated west of the Mississippi – link
- Mahan’s Half Acre / Hula-Ville / Hulaville Forest – Hesperia, CA (1956 – 1996) – several artifacts were salvaged and moved to the California Route 66 Museum in Victorville before the site was torn down in 1997 – link#1 / link#2 / link#3 (great pics)
Mahan’s Half Acre (Hula-Ville)
- Malibu Grand Prix – Arizona (2 separate locations) Tempe & Tucson – Both closed in the mid-90’s
- Malibu Grand Prix / Malibu Raceway – Beaverton, OR – Closing in April 2013
- Malibu Grand Prix – Fresno, CA (1977-1997) – link – name changed to Fresno Grand Prix towards the end
- Malibu Grand Prix – Oakland, CA (1970’s-mid 90’s) was located next to the Oakland Coliseum and Arena – link
- Malibu Grand Prix – Pacheco, CA (mid 70’s-mid 80’s)
- Malibu Grand Prix / Castle Golf & Games – Redwood City, CA (1978-2013)
Malibu Grand Prix / Castle Golf & Games
- Malibu Grand Prix – Los Angeles County – (5 separate locations) were located in Northridge, Pasadena, Reseda, City of Industry & Redondo Beach – link
- Malibu Grand Prix – Orange County – (2 separate locations) were located in Anaheim & Fountain Valley
- Malibu Grand Prix – San Diego, CA
- Mammoth Orange / Giant Orange Drive-In – Chowchilla, CA (originally) then moved to Fairmead (along Hwy 99) (giant orange structure featuring fast food/fruit stand/freshly-squeezed orange juice) [forerunner of the Orange Julius chain] at one time there were 50+ independent locations throughout California – link#1 / link#2 /link#3
Mammoth Orange – Fairmead, CA
- Manhattan Beach Amusement Park – Edgewater, CO (1881-1908) burned down in 1908, then reopened as Luna Park (1908-1914) – link
- Manito Park Zoo – Spokane, WA (1905-1932) link / newspaper link
Manito Park Zoo
- Manzanita Speedway – Phoenix, AZ (1951-2009) link / Facebook link
Manzanita Speedway
- Marine World – Redwood City, CA (1968-1972) evolved into Marine World/Africa USA (1972-1986) then moved to Vallejo, CA in 1986 with mutiple name changes – now known as Six Flags Discovery Kingdom – link / Here’s A TV commercial from 1986 just before the move to Vallejo >> youtube TV ad
Marine World – Redwood City
Marine World (Children’s Play Zone) – Redwood City
- Marineland of The Pacific – Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (1954-1987) – link
Marineland of the Pacific
- Marriott’s Great America (original) – Santa Clara, CA (1976-1985) then became simply Great America (Kings Entertainment) (1985-1993) then Paramount’s Great America (1993-2006) – now known as California’s Great America (Cedar Fair Entertainment) after more ownership changes – link
Marriott’s Great America – Santa Clara
Marriott’s Great America – Santa Clara (1979)
- Marshal Scotty’s Playland Park (1967-1995)/ Frazier’s Frontier (1996-1998) – La Mesa/El Cajon/Lakeside, CA – link – San Diego Union Tribune update on the re-opening as Canyon Raceway 11/2011
Marshal Scotty’s Playland Park
Marshal Scotty’s Playland Park
- Mather Air Force Base – Rancho Cordova, CA (1918-1993)
- Mayan Adventure – Sandy, UT (2008-2011) Mayan/Jungle themed – was a 40,000 sq. ft., 700-seat restaurant that featured exotic waterfalls, cliff divers, fire dancers and a robotic talking toucan. – link
Mayan Adventure
- McClellan Air Force Base – North Highlands, CA (1935-2001)
-
McNichols Sports Arena – Denver, CO (1975-1999) – former home of the Denver Nuggets of the ABA and NBA for its entire existence from 1975 to 1999. It also hosted multiple hockey teams, including the Denver Spurs of the WHA during the 1975–76 season, the Colorado Rockies of the NHL from 1976 to 1982, the Colorado Flames of the CHL from 1982 to 1984, the Denver Grizzlies of the International Hockey League from 1994 to 1995, and the Colorado Avalanche of the NHL from 1995 to 1999.
- Mercer Arena / Seattle Center Arena – Seattle, WA (1928-2003) – link
- Medieval Dungeon (at Fisherman’s Wharf) – San Francisco, CA (1989-1998) – link (scroll down to almost the bottom of the page within the link)
- Meridell Park – Pocatello, ID (1920-late 1960’s?) former historic amusement park and dance pavilion – link#1 (PDF link to newspaper article about the amusement park being built) – link#2
- Mesa Marin Raceway – Bakersfield, CA (1977-2005) – link#1
Mesa Marin Raceway – Bakersfield
- Meteor City Trading Post – Meteor City, AZ (1938-2012)
Meteor City Trading Post
- Meteor Crater Observatory & Museum – Meteor City, AZ (along old Route 66 near Winslow) (1946-1953) link / link#2
Meteor Crater Observatory
- MGM Grand Adventures Theme Park – Las Vegas (Paradise), NV (1993-2002) – was a theme park adjacent to the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino – link
MGM Grand Adventures (Log Flume Ride)
- MGM Lion Habitat – Las Vegas, NV (1999-2012) Family of lions were displayed in a special glass enclosed habitat inside the MGM Grand Resort Las Vegas Sun newspaper link / link#2
- Midway Drive-In & Swap Meet – Kent, WA (1940-2005) indoor & outdoor market with amusement rides & miniature golf next door
- Midway Plaisance (Amusement Park) – Venice, CA (1906-1910) link
Midway Plaisance – Venice
- Mile High Stadium / Bears Stadium – Denver, CO (1948-2001)
Mile High Stadium
- Million Dollar Museum – White’s City, NM (1927-2007?) link
Million Dollar Museum
- The Mine Shaft – Rancho Cordova, CA (large two-story building featuring an indoor/outdoor miniature golf(s), huge arcade, indoor games, batting cages, go-karts, TANKS that 2 people could operate, one driving & one shooting tennis balls out of the cannon using the attached compressed air gun – the basement was also a dance floor
The Mine Shaft (vacant building)
- Mission Beach Amusement Center / The Natatorium / The Plunge (1925-1955) a historic oceanfront amusement park located in the Mission Bay area of San Diego eventually – evolved into The Original Belmont Park (1956-1976) San Diego (Mission Beach) link#1 / link#2 / link#3 ………….
Mission Beach Amusement Center
- Moffett Field Naval Air Station – Mountain View, CA –Hangars One, Two, and Three and are collectively designated as a National Historic District and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Hangar One (constructed in 1931) is one of the world’s largest freestanding structures, covering 8 acres and is a Naval Historical Monument. On 1 July 1994, NAS Moffett Field was closed as a naval air station and turned over to it’s neighbor, the NASA Ames Research Center. NASA Ames now operates the facility as Moffett Federal Airfield. Since being decommissioned as a primary military installation, part of Moffett has been made accessible to the public, including a cordoned portion of the interior of the massive Hangar One. There were once balloon rides given on show days, and incidents of weather inside
Moffett Field NAS (Hangar One)
- Mojave Phone Booth – (1960’s-2000) Mojave Desert, CA (in the middle of nowhere – near the town of Baker between Barstow & Las Vegas some 15 miles from the nearest highway (I-15) – known as “The Loneliest Phone Booth In The World” – link#1 / link#2 / link#3
Mojave Phone Booth – Mojave Desert (middle of nowhere)
- Montgomery Block – San Francisco, CA (1853-1959) – San Francisco’s first fireproof and earthquake resistant building, which came to be known as a Bohemian center from the late 19th to the middle of the 20th century. It was located at 628 Montgomery Street. The 4-story Montgomery Block was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River when it was built in 1853. The building survived the 1906 earthquake & fire. The site of Montgomery Block is now registered as a California Historical Landmark. link
- Morrison Planetarium @ Golden Gate Park (original) , San Francisco, CA (1952-??)
- Mott’s Miniatures & Doll House Shop – Buena Park, CA (1949-2009) – link
- Mount St. Helens Experience (Cinedome / IMAX Theatre) – Castle Rock, WA (1993 – 2005?) most well-known for continually showing the Oscar-nominated IMAX documentary film about the explosion of Mt. St. Helens, complete with motion sensitive ‘rumble’ seats ……………………………….
Mount St. Helens Cinedome Theatre
- Mount St. Helens Miniature Erupting Volcano Fountain (Sculpture) – St. Helens, OR (2009-2010) link#1 / newspaper link
Mount St. Helens Miniature Erupting Volcano Fountain (Sculpture)
- Movie World / Cars of Stars / Planes of Fame Museum – Buena Park, CA (1970-1973) – link#1 / link#2 / link#3
Movie World / Cars of Stars / Planes of Fame – Buena Park
- Movieland of the Air Museum – Santa Ana, CA (1963-1968) (1969-1985) (relocated to the John Wayne/Orange County International Airport) – link
Movieland of the Air Museum (Orange County Airport)
- Movieland Wax Museum / Palace of Living Art / Cars of the Stars – Buena Park, CA (1962-2005) – link#1 / link#2 ………..
Movieland Wax Museum – Buena Park
- Mr. D’s Family Fun Center – Billings, MT (1992-1994)
Mr. D’s Family Fun Center
- Museum of Conceptual Art – San Francisco, CA (1970-1984)
- Museum of the Fantastic – Redmond/Sisters, OR (1980’s-1990’s) (originally named Jones Fantastic Museum – see listing above) – link
- Natatorium Park – Spokane, WA (1889-1968) one of the earliest parks in the Pacific Northwest which featured a ball park, The Plunge, Scenic Railway, canal boat ride, Shoot The Chutes, Circle Swings, The Whip, airplane ride, Jack Rabbit Roller Coaster, Carousel, Custer Speedway, Golden Spike Miniature Train ride and more Midway attractions – link / link#2 / Remember When youtube video documentary
Natatorium Park – Spokane
- Natural World Museum – San Francisco, CA (2001-2009) link
- NBC Burbank Studio (Tours) – Burbank, CA (closing this location in 2007? & relocating to Universal Studios) – link#1 / link#2 / link#3
NBC Burbank Studio
- Neptune Beach – Alameda, CA (1917-1939) – link / link#2
Neptune Beach
Neptune Beach
- Neptune Beach Speedway – Alameda, CA (1930’s-??)
- Never Never Land @ Point Defiance Park – Tacoma, WA (1964-2001) – young children’s storybook-themed kiddie park – link
Never Never Land (Point Defiance Park)
- Newport Sports Museum – Newport Beach, CA (1995-2014) link
Newport Sports Museum
- North Shore Beach & Yacht Club – North Shore Beach (Salton Sea) CA (1960-1984) At one time, California’s largest marina, the complex marketed as the “The Glamour Capital of the Salton Sea” hosted boat races, parties, and other popular events link#1 / link#2 / link#3 (flickr link with lots of pics) / link#4 Salton Sea history
North Shore Beach & Yacht Club
- Nut Tree – Vacaville, CA (1921-1996) featured a kiddie amusement park, train ride, children’s play structures, toy store, restaurant and airstrip – link#1 / link#2 – Then re-Opened under new ownership as Nut Tree Family Park within the Nut Tree Village and Nut Tree Complex (2006-2009) …………………………….
Nut Tree
- Nye Beach Nautitorium – Newport, OR (1911-??) at one time included a bowling alley, miniature golf, movie theatre & a few other attractions link
- Oak Grove Beach & Amusement Resort – Oak Grove, OR (near Milwaukee) (1917-1929) – link (scroll down near bottom of page within the link) / history link
Oak Grove Beach Resort
- Oakland Indoor Midget Race Track – Oakland, CA (1949-196?) the only one west of Chicago – built inside the converted Exhibition Building in downtown Oakland – featured a small 1/12 mile oval track, and became the site of featured races by the Bay Cities Racing Association, with the debut event on January 8, 1949.
- Oakland Speedway – San Leandro, CA (1931-19??) located underneath where Bayfair mall is located now link
- Oakwood Lake Resort / Manteca Waterslides – Manteca, CA (1974-2004) one of the first waterparks in the entire country – included a large 400 site campground, 2500 sq ft. pool and lake – the original water slide was made of cement/concrete and at it’s peak had 22 water slides including the very first tubular fiberglass recreational waterslide – link#1 / link#2 / link#3
Oakwood Lake Resort – Manteca Waterslides
- Oaks Park Stadium (former home of the Oakland Oaks Baseball Club of the Pacific Coast League way back in the day) – Oakland, CA (1913-1956)
- Oasis Water Works (Water Park) – Kennewick, WA (closed in 2003)
- Ocean Park Pier – Santa Monica, CA (1926-1956) eventually evolved into Pacific Ocean Park (POP)- link …………………………………
Ocean Park Pier – Santa Monica
- Oceanside Beach Amusemment Park – Oceanside, CA (1940’s-1950’s)
- Okanagan Game Farm / Okanagan Zoo – Kaleden, BC, CANADA (just south of Penticton) (1967-1999) link ………………………….
Okanagan Game Farm
- Old Faithful Museum of Thermal Activity – Yellowstone National Park (1929-1971) link#1 / link#2
- Old MacDonald’s Farm (originally located inside Knotts Berry Farm) – Buena Park, CA (1955-1969) relocated to an independent location in Mission Viejo in 1969 – see listing below …………………………………………………
Old McDonald’s Farm (Knott’s Berry Farm)
- Old MacDonald’s Farm – Mission Viejo, CA (1969-197?) link#1 / link#2
Old MacDonald’s Farm – Mission Viejo
- Old MacDonald’s Farm – Westbank, BC – CANADA – included a petting zoo, waterslide, miniature train ride, mini golf, fishing pond, pony rides
Old McDonald’s Farm – Westbank, BC
- Old Vegas / Westworld – Henderson, NV (1979-1986) located on the Boulder Hwy in Henderson, NV on 128 acres – originally opened under the ‘West World‘ name but was changed less than 2 years later to ‘Old Vegas‘ to coincide with the company’s other amusement attraction in Arizona, ‘Old Tucson’. A Theme Park and Casino which also included Hollywood-style reconstruction of an old west settlement that offered make-believe gunfights, saloon brawls, steam train rides, stagecoach rides – all located inside a make-believe Western Fort – closed in 1986 and torn down in 1996 for a housing tract – Las Vegas Sun pdf link / link #2
Old Vegas (above 3 pics)
- Old West Wax Museum – Thermopolis, WY (19??-2009) – link #1 / link #2
Old West Wax Museum – Thermopolis
- Ontario Motor Speedway – Ontario, CA (1970-1980) – link
Ontario Motor Speedway
- Orange County International Raceway – Irvine, CA (1967-1983) – link
- Outrageous Waters Water Park & Fun Center – Clearlake, CA – link
Outrageous Waters – Clear Lake
- Pacific City (Amusement Park) – Coyote Point Beach (San Mateo, CA) (1922-1923) “The Coney Island of the West” This 90-acre beachfront Pacific City boasted “the world’s biggest & fastest roller coaster, a 3,200-foot boardwalk, a 468-foot ferryboat wharf, a merry-go-round, a Ferris wheel, a Japanese tea house, a sprawling dance pavilion and a bathing beach featuring 2,000 tons of white sand – link / link#2 / newspaper link …………………………………..
Pacific City – San Mateo
Pacific City – San Mateo
- Pacific Lumber Company (PALCO) Mill Tour & Logging Museum – Scotia, CA (1887-2008) formerly the world’s largest redwood lumber mill – offered free self-guided visitor tours though the entire process of taking a huge tree log floating from the water, stripping the bark off (debarking) with high pressure hoses, sending it inside to have it cut to size & to the end product of lumber boards, all automatic on conveyor while interacting with workers along the way SFgate newspaper article on the closure of PALCO link / North Coast Journal newspaper link (full history)
Pacific Lumber Company (Mill)
- Pacific Ocean Park (POP) – Santa Monica, CA (1958-1967) – a nautical-themed, 28 acre amusement park built on a pier in the Ocean Park section of Santa Monica (originally intended to compete with Disneyland) link#1 / link#2 / link#3 /.cool youtube tribute ……………………………………
Pacific Ocean Park (entrance)
Pacific Ocean Park (Sea Serpent Roller Coaster)
- Pacific Undersea Gardens – Victoria, BC CANADA (1964-2013) Originally opened at the Oak Bay Marina in 1964, then relocated to Victoria’s Inner Harbour in 1969. link / newspaper closing link
- Pan-Pacific Auditorium – Los Angeles, CA (1935-1972) Located in the heart of the Fairfax District this was the premier location for indoor public events in the greater Los Angeles area for over 35 years. When opened in 1935 this was claimed to be “the largest of its kind in the West and one of the three largest in the nation.” link#1 / history link#2 / link#3 / link#4 ………………..
Pan-Pacific Auditorium
- Panama–Pacific International Exposition – San Francisco, CA (1915) The 1915 World’s Fair was held in the city by the bay from February 20 to December 4 to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal, but was widely seen as an opportunity to showcase it’s recovery from the devastating 1906 earthquake. Over 18 million people visited this fair which was spread out over 635 acres between the Presidio and Fort Mason along what is known now as the Marina District. The centerpiece was the Tower of Jewels, which rose to 435 feet and was covered with over 100,000 cut glass Novagems. link#1 / link#2 / link#3 / link#4
1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition San Francisco World’s Fair
1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition San Francisco’s World’s Fair
- Paradise Island Amusement Park – Sacramento, CA (1990’s??) – located inside Cal Expo (California State Fairgrounds)
- Paramount Movie Ranch (1927-??) / Paramount Ranch Raceway (1955-1957) – high up in the Santa Monica Mountains in what is now Agoura Hills, CA – Previously a working Movie Ranch and now a National Park still featuring a remodeled Old West building/town set – link / link#2 / link#3
Paramount Movie Ranch
- Paramount Ranch Raceway – Agoura Hills, CA (1956-1957) link
- Pasadena Winter Garden (ice rink) – Pasadena, CA (1940-1966) link
Pasadena Winter Garden
- Pat Derby’s Famous Wild Animals / Howling Wolf Lodge & Wild Animal Sanctuary – Leggett, CA (1978-1984) featuring “retired” wild animals of TV and motion pictures fame (television commercials too) – check out the listings up above for ‘Andersen’s Animal Farm’, ‘Africa USA’, ‘Howling Wolf Lodge’ & ‘Jungleland USA’ (all places that Pat Derby was associated with in earlier days) – background story link / LA Times article & memorial LINK about Pat Derby’s life / NY Times memorial LINK to Pat Derby’s life
Pat Derby’s Famous Wild Animals
- Pee Wee Mini Golf (at the Air Park) – Bakersfield , CA – known as ‘the Dinosaur Mini Golf’ on South Union
- Petersen Rock Garden & Museum – Redmond, OR (1935-2016) A Central Oregon attraction that has been around for decades and features large sculptures of buildings made out of gems, glass and stone from the area. Over the years, acre by acre, obsidian, jasper, agates, thunder eggs, and petrified wood took form in sculptures. By the 1950s, castles, ponds, bridges, villages, and various designs of rocks covered four acres. The property became a tourist magnet, becoming one of Redmond’s best-known attractions. link#1 / link#2 / link#3 / newspaper link about 2016 closing
Petersen Rock Garden
- Pharaoh’s Lost Kingdom / Pharaoh’s Theme & Water Park – Redlands, CA (1994-2006) This Adventure Park was a 17-acre Egyptian theme
park that included a water park, an amusement park, three race car tracks, four nine-hole miniature golf courses, a laser tag arena, an outdoor 2,550-seat amphitheater for concerts, midway rides, Namcoland arcade, bumper boats, kiddie rides, indoor soft-play area, had a sand beach, picnic area, a Skycoaster, indoor sports arena with a lounge – Reopened in 2010 under new ownership as Pharaoh’s Adventure Park, closed again a year later – Sold yet again and getting ready to re-open again in 2012 as Splash Kingdom at Pharaoh’s – link ……………………………..
Pharaoh’s Lost Kingdom
Pharoah’s Lost Kingdom
- Phoenix Museum of History – Phoenix, AZ (1920’s-2009) – Link
- Phoenix Trotting Park (Horse Racing Track) – Goodyear, AZ (1965-1966) – link #1 / link #2 ………………………………………..
Phoenix Trotting Park – Goodyear, AZ
- Phonehenge West – Acton, CA (1980s?-2011) an innovative wonderland of strange but beautiful sculptures & buildings from one mans dedication & determination. link #1 / link #2 / link#3
- Piedmont Baths / Japanese Tea Garden (Piedmont Park) (1890-1939)- Oakland, CA – link#1 / link#2 / link#3 ……………….
Piedmont Baths – Oakland
Japanese Tea Garden (Piedmont Springs)
- Pier 3 Aquarium / Pier 54 Aquarium – Seattle, WA (1938-1945) link / link#2
- Pierpoint Landing – Long Beach, CA (located at the end of Pier A) (1948-1972) –A sportfishing, eating & entertainment complex that included kiddie rides, a Sea Lion feeding tank and souvenir shops – not to be confused with the existing sportfishing company near the Long Beach Aquarium – link#1 / link#2
Pierpoint Landing (end of pier A)
- The Pike (1902-1949)/ Nu Pike (1949-1971)/ Queens Pike (1971-1979) – Long Beach, CA – link#1 / link#2 …. youtube tribute / youtube tribute#2
Long Beach Pike – Cyclone Racer
- Pioneer Cabin Tree (The Tunnel Tree) – Calaveras Big Trees State Park, CA (1880’s-2017) considered one of the most famous trees in the USA and drew thousands of visitors annually. It was estimated to have been more than 1,000 years old. It fell and shattered during a severe storm & flood on January 8, 2017 – link / Calaveras Big Trees Association facebook link
Pioneer Cabin Tree (The Tunnel Tree)
- Pismo Playway Amusement Park– Pismo Beach, CA (1940’s-1950’s?)
- Pixieland – Otis Junction/Lincoln City, OR (1969-1975) A small but fun amusement park with it’s own train, log flume ride, western village, arcade, opera house (melodrama theater) restaurant and more on the central Oregon Coast – link / link#2
Pixieland – Central Oregon Coast (Otis Jct.)
Pixieland – Central Oregon Coast
Pixieland – Central Oregon Coast
- Pizza Time Theater (Chuck E Cheese) – San Jose, CA (opened in 1977) – original
location (1st store) located in the former Town & Country Village (across from the Winchester Mystery House) was the first family restaurant to integrate food, animated entertainment, and an indoor arcade. When the first location opened in 1977, the animatronic characters were featured in framed portraits hanging on the walls of the main dining area. The show featured Crusty the cat (the first character to face retirement as he was soon replaced with Mr. Munch in 1978), Pasqually the singing chef, Jasper T. Jowls, the Warblettes, & the main focus of the show, Chuck E. Cheese. link#1 / link#2
Pizza Time Theatre Animatronic Characters
- Planes of Fame Museum / The Air Museum – (1957-1973) Originally opened in 1957 as “The Air Museum” in Claremont, CA – then relocated & expanded to the Ontario Airport (Ontario) in 1963 – then to the Chino Airport (Chino) in 1973, followed by an additional 2nd location which opened in 1995 in Valle, AZ – also check out the listing above for Movie World (Planes of Fame Museum) in Buena Park – link #1 / link#2
- Playland (Arcade) – Roseville, CA (1990’s) (large indoor video arcade & ticket redemption center, play area, and 4 kiddie rides including a kiddie coaster)
- Playland (Arcade) – Clovis, CA (1990’s) (same as above)
- Playland (Amusement Park) – (Bitter Lake/Shoreline) North Seattle, WA (1930-1961) – link ……………………………………………….
Playland – Seattle
Playland – Seattle
- Playland-At-The-Beach (Amusement Park)– San Francisco, CA (1926-1972) – link#1 / link#2 / link#3 ……………………………….
Playland-At-The-Beach – San Francisco
Playland-At-The-Beach (shown here along the Great Highway, Highway 1) – San Francisco
- Playland Pier / Barbary Coast – Coeur d’Alene, ID (1941-1975) – great pics / link #1 / link#2 …………………………………………
Playland Pier & City Beach
Playland Pier & City Beach
- Polar Palace / Glacier Palace (ice rink) – Hollywood, CA (1928-1963) link
Polar Palace (1963 fire)
- Pollardville Ghost Town – Stockton, CA (1946-2007) – this attraction featured the Palace Showboat Dinner Theater & Saloon, Chicken Kitchen Restaurant, the “smallest post office in the U.S., Jamestown Jail, authentic 1957 “Big Country” movie set, CKRR Narrow-Gauge Railroad (train rides), a stagecoach line and gunfights on Main Street, fishing and gold panning – link #1 / link #2 [newspaper article link#3]
Pollardville – Stockton
- Ponderosa Ranch (Home of the Cartwright Family from the Legendary Western TV Series, Bonanza) – Incline Village, NV (1967-2004) – link
Ponderosa Ranch
Ponderosa Ranch
- Portland Alien Museum – Portland, OR (2003) active website link / link
- Portland Ice Arena – Portland, OR (1914-195?)
- Portland Speedway – Portland, OR (1924-2001) link
Portland Speedway
- Possum Trot & Fantasy Doll Show – Yermo, CA (1953-1980) check out listing above for ‘Fantasy Doll Show (Birdcage Theatre)‘ – link#1 / link#2 / link#3 (great Flickr pics)
Possum Trot
Possum Trot
- Presidio of San Francisco (US Army Base) – San Francisco, CA (1776-1994) (included military artifacts, fort, cannons, lots more) – link#1 / link #2
Presidio of San Francisco (main gate)
- Prospector Hill – Auburn, CA (closed in the 1990’s) (miniature golf, batting cages, water shooter, arcade)
- Putt-Putt Fun Center / Boomers – Escondido, CA (1973-2006) mini golf, go-karts, bumper boats – link
- Putt-Putt Golf – Modesto, CA (1960-1995) – link
- Q-Zar Lazer Tag – multiple locations have closed (however the one in Concord is still operating)
- Querino Canyon Trading Post – Houck, AZ (located off the old US Route 66 (now Hwy I-40) at the Arizona/New Mexico state line) the building is now in advance decay/ruins – link
- Rainforest Reptile Refuge – Surrey, BC, CANADA (1986-2007)
- Ripley’s Believe-It-Or-Not Museum – Buena Park, CA (1990-2009)
Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum – Buena Park
- Riverside International Raceway – Riverside, CA (1957-1989) link
Riverside International Raceway (Goodyear Tower)
- Roy Rogers Museum – Apple Valley, CA (1967-1976), Victorville, CA (1976-2003) (then relocated to Branson, Missouri in 2003 – closed permantly in 2009) – link#1 / link#2 ……………………………………….
Roy Rogers Museum
- Royal London Wax Museum – (2 locations) Scottsdale, AZ & Phoenix, AZ
- Royal London Wax Museum – Victoria, BC, CANADA (1961-2010) closure link
- Royal Pacific Wax Museum – Newport, OR (1969-1984) this collection was relocated to the Wax Works on the Bayfront in Newport – link
- Royer Park Zoo & Miniature Train – Roseville, CA (1950s-1995) link / video link
Royer Park Train “Little Lulu”
- Saltair Pavilion / The Hippodrome – Magna, UT (just southwest of Salt Lake City) (1893-1958) – link#1 / link#2 …………………
Saltair Pavilion – Utah (on the eastern shores of the Great Salt Lake)
- Sam’s Town – Cameron Park, CA (1967-2001) an old-fashion Western/Frontier mining-themed village featuring and elaborate restaurant, saloon, museum of turn-of-the-century memorabilia, Wells Fargo Stagecoach and a huge arcade – link #1 / link #2 ……………………………………………….
Sam’s Town Village
Sam’s Town Arcade
- San Jose Go Karts – Monterey Road, San Jose, CA (1977-2001) – link
San Jose Go Karts
- San Jose Speedway – San Jose, CA (1967-1999) track used to be across from the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds main entrance off Tully Rd. & Monterey Rd – also was located at one time on the fairgrounds itself – also located next to Reid-Hillview airport at one time link / link#2 …………………………………..
San Jose Speedway (tower)
- Santa Claus Acres / Santa’s Land / Santa Claus Inn / Christmas Tree Inn – Santa Claus, AZ (located on Hwy 93 North of Kingman) (1937-197?) – link#1 / link#2 / link#3 / (Christmas Tree Inn – 1951 postcard & brief history)
Santa Claus, AZ (long ago)
Santa’s Land (more recent)
Christmas Tree Inn (courtesy of Charles Phoenix)
- Santa Claus Lane – Carpenteria, CA (1948-1984) Santa Claus, California was built as a roadside attraction along the coastal highway south of Santa Barbara beginning in 1948. “Santa Claus Lane” started with a post office and juice shop selling date shakes. The attraction grew during the 1950s when Toyland and Santa’s Kitchen were added. By 1960 there were novelty shops, cafes, a candy store, a miniature train, a small petting zoo, pony rides, a wishing well and a 20-foot tall Frosty The Snowman was added to the roof of Santa’s Kitchen. Eventually Santa Claus Lane became rundown. The last part to operate was a Christmas train which stopped running in 1984. The famous statue of Santa coming out of a chimney was taken down in 2002 and moved to Oxnard, CA. link#1 / link#2 / link#3
Santa Claus Lane
Santa Claus Lane
- Santafair – Federal Way, WA (1960s-1970s) –an amusement park which was located on the grounds of the old Federal Way Shopping Center halfway between Seattle & Tacoma during the 60’s and 70’s. link #1 / link #2 (scroll down to page 43 of PDF file) ……………………………………………
Santafair – Federal Way, WA
- Santa’s Village – Scotts Valley, CA (1957-1979) – link
Santa’s Village – Scotts Valley/Santa Cruz, CA
- Santa’s Village – Skyforest (Lake Arrowhead), CA (1955-1998) – link
Santa’s Village – Skyforest/Lake Arrowhead, CA
- Santa Monica Pier – Santa Monica, CA (1924-1927) – link
- Santa Monica’s North Beach – Santa Monica, CA (1887-1905) – link
- Saratoga Springs Resort (Amusement Park) – Saratoga Springs/Lehi, UT (1884-????) – link
- Satyricon (night club) – Portland, OR (1983-2010) – became best known as a venue for local and touring punk & alternative rock bands. Operating from 1983 to 2010, it was the longest-running punk venue in the western United States link
- Saugus Speedway – Saugus, CA (Santa Clarita) (1939-1995) link
Saugus Speedway (circa 1982)
- Sea Gulch – Seal Rock, OR (1970’s-1980’s??) This was a neat little hiking adventure trail through a small forest interspersed with small villages and characters/creatures handcarved/chainsaw carved by the owner/craftsman and home to the elusive “Bigfoot” – link – (scroll 2/3 down page)
Sea Gulch (Central Oregon Coast)
- Sealand of The Pacific – Oak Bay/Victoria (Vancouver Island), BC, Canada – link
Sealand of The Pacific
- Seals Stadium – San Francisco, CA (1931-1959) formerly located in the Mission District , home of the San Francisco Seals, Mission Reds & original home of the newly relocated San Francisco Giants – link
Seals Stadium
- Seattle Center Coliseum (Washington State Pavilion) – Seattle, WA (1962-1994) – link
- Seattle Marine Aquarium (originally known as Seattle Public Aquarium) Seattle, WA (1962-1977) was located on Pier 56 on the Elliott Bay waterfront in Seattle – link
Seattle Marine Aquarium
- Seattle Museum of the Mysteries / Northwest Museum of Legends & Lore – Seattle, WA (2004-2014) website link / link / link#2 / Seattle Times link
Seattle Museum of the Mysteries
- Selig Zoo (Eastlake Park Zoo & Movie Studio) – Los Angeles, CA (1864-1948) (Eastlake Park/Lincoln Heights) Located next to Lincoln Park – link
Selig Zoo
- Shadow Cliffs Waterslides / The Rapids @ Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area – Pleasonton, CA (1981-2011) link
Shadow Cliffs Waterslides
- Shell Mound Amusement Park – Emeryville, CA (1870’s-1924) link
Shell Mound Amusement Park
- Sheridan Deer Park – Sheridan, OR (1970’s – 1980’s??)
- Sheriff John’s Classic Cars & Dolls Museum / Sheriff John’s Classic Cars & Happy Days Malt Shop – Gold Beach, OR (2004-??) website link / newspaper link / link / Here is a beautiful panorama pic of the 50’s section of the museum
Sheriff John’s Classic Cars & Happy Days Malt Shop
- Ship Ashore Museum – Smith River, CA featured a gift shop on the upper deck with stairs leading down to the museum – featured a ‘Pirate’s Den’, sea life specimens, ship captain’s steering wheel & control center hands-on exhibit – all on the lower level – link ……………………………………………………….
Ship Ashore Museum
- Shipwreck – Eureka, CA (1960’s – 1970’s??) old ship with a seal pond
- Sick’s Stadium – Seattle, WA (1938-1976) the former home of the old Seattle Rainiers / Seattle Angels of the PCL as well as the 1969 Seattle Pilots, later concerts featuring the likes of Elvis & Hendrix were held here – link#1 / link#2 / Seattle PI newspaper link article
Sick’s Stadium
- Showbiz Pizza Place – huge arcade, redemption center, kiddie rides, animatronic entertainment – multiple locations in the 70’s and 80’s – merged with Chuck E Cheese (Pizza Time Theater) in 1984 – link#1 / link#2
- Silver State National Peace Officers Museum – Virginia City, NV (2009-2016) online museum / website
Silver State Peace Officers Museum (above 2 pics)
- Soledad Sands Park – Acton, CA (1950’s-70’s?) park included a huge swimming pool, waterslide, giant racing slide, miniature train, BMX track & more – Facebook Link
Soledad Sands Park
Soledad Sands Park
- Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park / Las Vegas Zoo – Las Vegas, NV (closed 2013) archived website link / link#2 (lots of pics)
Southern Nevada Zoo (Las Vegas Zoo)
- Speed Ring Indoor Kart Racing – Santa Clara, CA (closed 2006)
- Speed The Ride / Cyber Speedway – Las Vegas, NV (1999-2011) a full-size roller coaster plus a simulated sound & motion racing experience located at the recently-closed Sahara Hotel Casino on the Las Vegas Strip – link#1 / link#2
- Spirit Lake Lodge / Spirit Lake – Mount St. Helens, WA (Very popular winter retreat & tourist destination as well as the home of legendary owner/historian Harry R. Truman – link#1 / link#2 – lost forever after the volcanic eruption on May 18, 1980) link#3
- Spirit Mountain Ranch (Sacred White Buffalo Ranch) – 20 miles north of Flagstaff, AZ (2002-2008) featured a small family of rare white buffalo (bison) – link#1 / link#2 (nice pics)/ link#3 / link#4
Spirit Mounain Ranch (Sacred White Buffalo Ranch)
- Splashdown (Milpitas Waterslides) – Milpitas, CA (1970’s – 1980’s?)
- Spokane Coliseum – Spokane, WA (1954-1995)
- Spruce Goose – Long Beach, CA (1980-1988) The famous Hughes H-4 Hercules flying boat that Howard Hughes commissioned and flew on a trial run on 2 Nov. 1947 was housed in a huge dome hangar adjacent to the Queen Mary ship in Long Beach, CA from 1980 til 1988 when it was acquired by the Walt Disney Company and relocated in 1993 to the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, OR.
Spruce Goose & Queen Mary
- Squaw Valley Ice Arena (aka Blyth Arena) – Squaw Valley at North Lake Tahoe, CA (1959-1983) built for the 1960 Winter Olympic Games
Squaw Valley Ice Arena
Squaw Valley Ice Arena
- Stanley Park Zoo – Vancouver, BC – CANADA (located within Stanley Park) (1905- 1996) – zoo eventually relocated to Aldergrove, BC and was renamed the Greater Vancouver Zoo …………………………………………………………
Stanley Park Zoo
- Stanley Park Children’s Farmyard – Vancouver, BC, CANADA (also located within Stanley Park) (1982-2011) – This petting zoo was a successor to the original children’s zoo that started in 1962 – link
- Star Trek: The Experience + History of The Future Museum – Las Vegas, NV (1998-2008) located inside the Las Vegas Hilton – link#1 / link#2 / link#3 / link#4
Star Trek: The Experience
- Stardust International Raceway – Spring Valley, NV (Las Vegas) (1965-1970) link
-
Starwood (nightclub) – West Hollywood, CA (1973-1981) link
- Steeplechase Park – San Francisco, CA (1899-1906) was located in Central Park at 8th and Market Streets in San Francisco – link
- Stone Age Park – Langlois, OR (1970’s – 1980’s ??) museum of Indian artifacts – rocks, minerals & geode collection – featuring live reindeer, hand feed birds and farm animals, trout fishing, botanical gardens, and duck pond/picnic grounds
Stone Age Park
Stone Age Park – Langlois, OR
- Storyeum – Vancouver, BC, CANADA (2000-2006) located in the Gastown district of Vancouver – link / history link………….
Storyeum – Vancouver, BC
- Streamland Park Amusement Park – Pico Rivera, CA (1950’s-1968) a small kiddie park that featured a merry-go-round, ferris wheel, rollercoaster & other kiddie rides – https://youtu.be/6JkCiTjkSoY
Streamland Park
- Stump House (World Famous Stump House) – Eureka, CA (1960’s-1990’s) link
Stump House
- Sunland Amusement Park – Sunland, CA (1940’s-1950’s)
Sunland Amusement Park
- Sunny Cove Baths – Alameda, CA (early 1900’s-1950)
- Sunset Pier – Venice, CA (1921-1947) link
- Sutro Baths – San Francisco, CA (1896-1966) link#1 / link#2 / link#3 / link#4
Sutro Baths – San Francisco
Sutro Baths – San Francisco
- Swing Auditorium – San Bernardino, CA (1949-1981) indoor arena built on the grounds of the National Orange Show – a prominent rock arena on the West Coast with a long history – link ……………….
Swing Auditorium
- Tacoma Ice Palace – Tacoma, WA link
- Tacoma Speedway – Tacoma, WA (1914-1922) link
Tacoma Speedway (circa 1922)
- Tahoe Amusement Park – South Lake Tahoe, CA (1960’s-2008) Little information can be found on this small 4-acre amusement park which had been in deteriorating condition for several years – Yelp link
Tahoe Amusement Park
Tahoe Amusement Park (circa 1960’s)
- Tanforan Racetrack – San Bruno, CA (1899-1964) link
- Teapot Dome Service Station – Zillah, WA (1922-1978?) history link
- Tebbett’s Oriental Theatre – Portland, OR (1927-1962) This theatre featured an authentic ‘Indian Temple’ atmosphere – It also boasted the largest neon theater sign in the world as well as the only theater in the Pacific Northwest to have a children’s ‘Circus Room’ – link#1 / link#2
Tibbett’s Oriental Theatre
- Teton Mystery – Jackson Hole, WY (closed in 2005) – another mystery house that defies gravity – link#1 – link#2 ………………………………………..
Teton Mystery – Jackson Hole, WY (courtesy of TravellingMel.com)
- Territorial Prison Wax Museum – Virginia City, NV (originally built in 1869 and closed about 1997-98)
- The Beach Waterpark – Albuquerque, NM (1987-2005) Albuquerque Journal newspaper article about closure
The Chutes – San Francisco (Haight Street location)
- The Chutes – San Francisco, CA (1895-1911) 3 different locations around SF (the 1st location was at the end of Haight Street in 1895, then moved to Fulton at 10th Street in 1902, then moved to Fillmore/Webster/Eddy/Turk block in 1907) link#1 link#2
The Chutes – San Francisco (Richmond District location)
- The Thing (originally located between Barstow & Baker, CA) (1950-1965) moved to Dragoon, AZ in 1965 and still operates there today link#1 link#2 link#3
Thrill-Ville USA – Turner, OR
- Thrill-Ville USA (Amusement Park & Waterslide) -Turner/Salem, OR (1971-2007) link#1 link#2
Thrill-Ville USA – Turner, OR
- Thunderbeast Park (Dinosaur Park) – Chiloquin, OR (1962-199?) link
Thunderbeast Park – Chiloquin, OR
Thunderbeast Park (courtesy of vintageroadside.com)
- Thunderbird Downs (horse racing) – Las Vegas, NV (1963-1966) located behind the Thunderbird Hotel link ………….
Thunderbird Downs
- Thunder Ridge Water Park – Idaho Falls ID (1980s?) link
- Tivoli Gardens / Columbia Gardens – Anaheim, CA (1876-1921) early theme park was a miniature replica of the famous Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark – link
- Treasure Island Museum – Located On Treasure Island in the San Francisco Bay (1976-1997) link ………………………………
Treasure Island Museum (original museum)
- Tree Circus – Scott’s Valley (1947-1963) see listing above for Lost World – link#1 link#2 – Santa Cruz Public Library History Link ……………………………….
Tree Circus – Scotts Valley
- Tropical Ice Gardens – Los Angeles, CA (Westwood District) (1938-1949) located adjacent to the UCLA campus link
- Tropical Tees Miniature Golf – Fresno, CA
- Twin Arrows Trading Post / Canyon Padre Trading Post – Twin Arrows, AZ (1949-late 1998) – link#1 / link#2 / link#3 / link#4 / link#5 / link#6 – here’s a Flagstaff newspaper article link from 2009 about the refurbishing of this site
Twin Arrows Trading Post
- Two Guns (Fort Two Guns) – Northern Arizona – (30 miles east of Flagstaff along I-40 – formerly old Route 66) (approximately 1922-1971) – Originally known as Canyon Lodge – Now a Ghost Town that once consisted of a trading post, tavern, campground, motel, zoo, reptile house & cavern (also featured another attraction called Mystery Cave, later as Apache Death Cave) [Note: This attraction had multiple lives (owners) over the years as well as a curse attached to it] – link / link#2 / link#3 / link#4 / link#5 ……….
Two Guns (Northern Arizona)
- UFO Museum – Portland, OR – active website link
- Uncanny Canyon (House of Mystery) – near Lost Creek Lake in rural Jackson County, OR – formerly located on the Crater Lake Highway about halfway between Gold Hill and Crater Lake -Being so close to the Oregon Vortex (House of Mystery) it generated a bit of a vortex rivalry. The rivalry ended when Uncanny Canyon was submerged after the completion of the Lost Creek Reservoir in the late 1970’s – link
- Uncle Ben’s Kiddyland – San Fernando Valley/Los Angeles (1950’s-1970’s) this small kiddie amusement park moved periodically, having at least 4 different locations in Van Nuys, Panorama City & Studio City (Sepulveda/Woodman/Van Nuys Blvd) throughout it’s existence – facebook link
Uncle Ben’s Kiddyland
- UnderSea Gardens / Undersea World – Crescent City, CA (1964-1985) originally opened on a barge – a 2nd attraction also here but now long gone was known as ‘Shipwreck’ – link ………………………….
Undersea Gardens – Crescent City
- Undersea Gardens – Marina Del Rey, CA (1960’s-1980’s?) was located within Fishermans Village
- Undersea Gardens – Santa Barbara, CA (1950’s – 1969)
Undersea Gardens – Santa Barbara
- Undersea Gardens – Seattle, WA (1965-1969) was located in the Shilshole Bay Marina – link
Undersea Gardens – Seattle
- Union Avenue Plunge & Dance Pavilion– Bakersfield (1916-1975) link / link#2 / detailed history in pdf file link ………………………
Union Avenue Plunge (circa 1950)
- Utah Fun Dome / 49th Street Galleria – Salt Lake City/Murray, UT (1983-2004) The Fun Dome had housed an indoor go-kart track, laser tag, air hockey tables and amusement rides as well as a bowling alley and miniature golf courses inside and outside the building plus bungee jumping link
- Vaca Valley Raceway – Vacaville, CA (1958-1972) link
- Valerie Jean Dates – Valerie, CA (Thermal) (1928-19??) a historic date orchard and onetime popular US Route 86 tourist stop between Indio & the Salton Sea in the Coachella Valley link / link#2 ………………….
Valerie Jean Dates
- Valley Fair Shopping Center “Kiddieland” (located on the rooftop of the Macy’s department store) – San Jose, CA (1956-1958) link
- Velveteria (The Museum of Velvet Paintings) – Portland, OR (2005-2010) ‘The World’s Only Velvet Art Museum’ – moved/relocated to Los Angeles in 2013 – link #1 / link #2 / website / new location link
Velveteria
- Venice Amusement Pier – Venice, CA (1921-1946) link
Venice Amusement Pier
- Venice Of America / Venice Pier Pavillion / Venice Aquarium / Venice Plunge – Venice, CA (1905-1920) link.……………………..
Venice of America
- 24 Hour Church Of Elvis – Portland, OR (1985-2002) – link / link#2
