On the east side of Fifth Avenue, between 108th to 110th street, and running east to the foot of Oakwood Cemetery, is a tranquil, nicely kept residential area of Lansingburgh.

But on this same spot eighty years ago, you would have heard the cries of midway barkers, the thunder of running horses, the laughter of children, and the roar of a roller coaster.

This 42 acre parcel of land was one of the finest amusement parks in the country and was known as Rensselaer Park. It's tag line was "The Real Pleasure Ground for the Pleasure Bound."

Rensselaer Park had a 1/2 mile racetrack and Midway amusement area tucked away within a huge, beautiful grove of trees. Today, it survives only in memories and a few photographs.

The entrance to Rensselaer Park was on Fifth Avenue just north of 108th   Street (108th Street did not extend east of Fifth). The park was organized in 1867 as the Rensselaer Park Association, but originally was a training ground for the Union soldiers and was called Camp Willard during the Civil War. An army hospital was also established there. The buildings were used as a hospital for a Cholera epidemic and later as a slaughter house complex. It also housed the Rensselaer County Fair for years.

The park closed in 1917 and the land was sold in 1919, eventually turning into the residential neighborhood you see there now.

One of the big draws of the Park was the Carousel, called the Menagerie. For a quarter, you could ride hand carved horses, bears, giraffes, camels, lions, elephants, and goats. After the park closed, the carousel ended up in Halfmoon Beach. Eventually it was sold along with the individual animals.

Among the many other amusements was a small 10-seat Ferris Wheel. The world's first Ferris Wheel, 264 feet high, debuted at the 1893 World's Colombian Exposition in Paris and was invented by an RPI graduate, George Ferris. The Expo also had the first Midway, called the Midway Plaisance (or White City Midway). Its well lit and fancy building facades dictated how amusement parks would be designed for the following 60 years.

It was difficult to get bored at Rensselaer Park. There was a bowling alley, a high wire act, pony rides, a figure eight wooden roller coaster, a dancing pavilion, skating rink, and a band shell where concerts were held every afternoon and evening. Fireworks were held every Thursday night.

For only a dime, you could view Bama The Ostrich Girl, or step up to the Hindu Theater, watch wild animals get tamed, awe as a man or J.W. Groman's High Diving Horses leaped from a tower into a lake that was located within the southern portion of the race track. The 1.5 mile race track, fully visible in all directions, filled the eastern part of the park in sharp contrast to the densely wooded Midway section. Complete with a grandstand and judges tower, people lined up on the northern part of the track to watch harness, bicycle and even chariot races.

The park had its own police squad to direct traffic and handle the mobs of people that frequented the park.

The Haymakers, a local baseball team that became the foundation for the New York Giants, played here during the park's first year. In 1868, the same year the race track, secondary road around it, and pond were built, they drew from 5-9000 people at one game. The Park trustees built them a U-shaped bleacher somewhere near the track.

One strange incident occurred at the park and was reported in the papers. A Cannibal with one of the shows bit a Lansingburgh resident and the local newspapers proclaimed that the man would probably die as a result of the bite. The cannibal escaped, but I can't find out what happened to the victim.

While amusement parks got their start in the U.S. in the 19th century, they go way back to medieval Europe and were known then as Pleasure Gardens. Areas were set aside and created specifically for outdoor entertainment and amusement. These first parks included fountains and flower gardens, but also included games, bowling, music, dancing, shows and a few primitive amusement rides. In 1583, an amusement park opened in Bakken, north of Copenhagen. It is still in operation today.

By 1919, at the end of Rensselaer Park's life, there were over 1,500 amusement parks still in operation in the U.S.. By 1935, after the Stock Market Crash, the number dwindled to only 400.

If you want to learn more about Rensselaer Park and recreation in Rensselaer County, there is a new exhibit on the subject titled: "When Work Stops and Fun Begins: Recreation in Rensselaer County, 1791-1999," at the Rensselaer County Historical Society at 52 Second Street on Friday, April 9th.

The April 9th opening will feature a lecture on Rensselaer Park by Richard Zeller, a retired assistant superintendent of Shenendehowa Schools. Richard has spent years collecting and studying the park and will present a slide show at 8PM.

This exhibit is being co-sponsored by the Rensselaer-Taconic Land Conservancy, one of the more active conservancy's in the area. Call the RCHS for more information at 272 7232.

©1999 Don Rittner

Got History? Contact Don at drittner@aol.com, or PO Box 50216, Albany, NY 12205. Don is still looking for a place that sells skybars and Clove, Peppermint, and Beeman's gum!