Glen Park (park) facts for kids
Glen Park is a lovely walking park in Williamsville, New York. It's located right next to the beautiful Glen Falls waterfall on Ellicott Creek. You can also see the old Williamsville Water Mill nearby, which isn't used anymore. It's a great place to enjoy nature and go for a walk!
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A Look Back: Glen Park's History
Did you know that Glen Park wasn't always a quiet walking park? Long ago, it was a busy amusement park! It was called Harry Altman's Glen Park Casino and Amusement Park. Sadly, this fun park was completely destroyed after two big fires.
The Big Fires: 1968 and 1973
Two separate fires caused a lot of damage to the amusement park. These events changed Glen Park forever.
The Inferno Nightclub Fire (1968)
The first fire happened in September 1968. It destroyed a popular nightclub on the property called The Inferno. This nightclub used to be known as the "Glen Casino."
The Inferno was a very famous place for music. Many bands played there every week, including Wilmer & the Dukes and Raven. These performances helped them become well-known. Lots of other famous singers and bands also performed at this club, like Junior Walker, The Butterfield Blues Band, Sly and the Family Stone, Ike & Tina Turner, and Wilson Pickett.
The Underground Fire (1973)
The second fire took place in September 1973. This fire destroyed several more buildings, including a lower building called the "Underground."
The Altman family, who owned the park, had welcomed many famous entertainers to the Glen Casino over the years. Some of these stars included Sammy Davis, Jr., Frank Sinatra Jr., Jayne Mansfield, Joey Bishop, Jerry Vale, The Three Stooges, and the Mills Brothers.
The Casino building was built in the 1940s. It had both a theater for shows and a restaurant. In 1966, a local music promoter named Kevin Elliott suggested turning the nightclub into a rock 'n roll music spot. This idea helped launch the career of the house band, the Rising Sons. This local group, with Tony Galla singing, later became the national recording artists known as Raven. Raven even recorded a live album called "Live at the Inferno" in 1969. The album cover shows a picture of the nightclub after it was destroyed by fire.
From Amusement Park to Walking Park
After the fires, the park was changed into what you see today. In 1976, several ponds and concrete walking paths were added. Since then, the park has been looked after by both the Village of Williamsville and the Town of Amherst. It's now a peaceful place for everyone to enjoy walks and nature.
