Columbia Gardens (amusement park) facts for kids
Columbia Gardens c. 1905
|
|
| Location | Butte, Montana, United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 46°00′24″N 112°27′51″W / 46.0065933°N 112.4641851°W |
| Opened | June 4, 1899 |
| Closed | September 3, 1973 |
| Owner | Butte Electric Railway Company (1899–1928) Anaconda Copper (1928–1973) |
| Operating season | May through October |
| Area | 68 acres (28 ha) |
| Attractions | |
| Roller coasters | 1 |
The Columbia Gardens (1899–1973) was a super fun amusement park in Butte, Montana. It was started by a rich mining boss named William A. Clark. Later, a big company called Anaconda Copper took care of it. For 74 years, it was the only big amusement park in all of Montana!
Contents
History of Columbia Gardens Amusement Park
The Columbia Gardens wasn't always in the same spot. The very first park with this name opened in 1888. It was started by John Gordon and Frederick Ritchie. But it was hard for people to get there because the trolley service wasn't good. So, it didn't make much money.
How William Clark Started the New Park
In 1899, William A. Clark bought the land for the first park. He was a powerful "copper king" and wanted to help the people of Butte. He also hoped it would make him popular as he tried to become a U.S. Senator.
Clark's manager, Jesse R. Wharton, found a much better spot for the park. This new location was at the east end of St. Ann Street. It was easy to reach by trolley. The park started with 21 acres and grew to 68 acres by 1925.
Opening Day and New Owners
The new Columbia Gardens opened its gates on June 4, 1899. It quickly became a favorite place for families. After Clark passed away in 1925, his mining businesses and the park were sold. In 1928, Anaconda Copper bought the park.
Anaconda Copper kept the park running for its workers and the community. They invested money to make it even better. It was a popular spot for both locals and visitors to Butte.
Fun Rides and Attractions at Columbia Gardens
The Columbia Gardens had many exciting things to do. It was known for its rides, games, and beautiful gardens.
The Famous Roller Coaster
One of the most thrilling rides was a wooden roller coaster. It was built in 1906 and was called "Figure 8" because of its shape. This coaster was gravity-fed, meaning it used hills and drops to move. After an accident in 1917, it was made a bit smaller. In 1929, Anaconda Copper changed its layout to be more like an "out-and-back" ride.
Other Popular Rides and Games
Besides the roller coaster, the park had an airplane ride. There was also a beautiful carousel made by the Allan Herschell Company in 1928. Kids loved the playground with its special tandem swings. Riders would try to swing as high as they could!
Gardens, Animals, and Sports
The park had a greenhouse where they grew flowers for the grounds. They made amazing flower displays in shapes like butterflies and harps. For a while, until the 1930s, there was even a petting zoo and a lake. The lake was later turned into a parking lot in 1937.
The Columbia Gardens also had a baseball park. Local teams like the Butte Miners played there. There was a large pavilion with an arcade and a ballroom. This ballroom hosted school proms and famous Big Band performers.
Free Fun for Everyone
The park never charged an admission fee. It made money from the trolley rides that brought people there. Anaconda Copper continued this tradition, even when buses replaced the trolleys in 1937. Every Thursday in the summer was "Children's Day." Kids aged 16 and under could ride the trolley or bus to the park for free! This special day lasted from 1903 until the park's final Thursday in 1973.
The End of an Era: Closure and Fire
In 1971, Anaconda Copper faced financial problems. They lost a lot of money when their mines in other countries were taken over. The company's huge Berkeley Pit mine was also getting closer to the park. People in Butte wondered how long the park would last.
The Last Season
In early 1973, Anaconda announced that the 1973 season would be the last for Columbia Gardens. The park closed its doors for good on September 3, 1973, which was Labor Day. The rides were taken apart and stored, mostly in the grand pavilion.
The Fire
Sadly, before the rides could be moved to a new place, the park caught fire. It burned down on November 12, 1973. The official report said an electrical problem caused the fire. However, many locals believed it was set on purpose. They thought Anaconda Copper wanted to clear the land for mining. Soon after, the area became part of the Continental Pit mine.
Remembering Columbia Gardens
Even though the park is gone, its memory lives on in Montana. People still tell stories about the fun times they had there.
What Remains Today
Some of the park's famous tandem swings were moved to city parks. If you drive on Interstate 15 near Butte, you pass right by where the park used to be.
Montana has fairs and water slide parks, but no major amusement park like Columbia Gardens has been built since. A local broadcaster and historian named Pat Kearney wrote a book about the park in 1994. He said the park was "a treasure more valuable than all the copper, silver and gold taken out of the mines in Butte."
Documentaries About the Park
The story of Columbia Gardens was also told in a 1999 documentary film. It was made by Montana PBS and called Remembering the Columbia Gardens. It featured interviews with Pat Kearney and people who visited or worked at the park. Some of these people also appeared in the 2008 PBS film Butte, America, which talked about the history of Anaconda Copper.
The Spirit of Columbia Gardens Carousel
A special group called The Spirit of Columbia Gardens Carousel was started in Butte in 1996. Their main goal was to rebuild the carousel that was destroyed in the 1973 fire.
Building a New Carousel
They worked hard and reached their goal! The new carousel opened on July 27, 2018. It has 32 horses and several low-riding carriages. Each horse took about 1,000 hours to create. Most of the work and materials for the carousel were donated by people who loved the original park.
A Reminder of History
The new carousel helps the community of Butte remember the old Columbia Gardens. It helps them "reclaim, restore, and preserve an important part of Butte’s history." It's a beautiful reminder of the fun and joy the park brought to so many people.
Images for kids
-
Columbia Gardens c. 1905
- Kearney, Pat (1994). Butte's Pride – The Columbia Gardens ISBN: 978-0966168822
- Montana PBS (1999). Remembering the Columbia Gardens
