My father and mother took me and a few of my friends here back in the early for my birthday. Goodreads members who liked palisades park also liked. Vince gargiulo of mahwah dedicated a film, a book and much of his life to the palisades amusement park. Counting crows palisades park lyrics genius lyrics. It was in operation from 1898 until 1971, and near the end of its life was still one of the mostvisited amusement parks in the country, the disneyland of the east coast. Remembering the final season of palisades amusement park. Paul and white bear railroad in 1889, wildwood amusement park was designed to attract visitors to take the newly built streetcar line to white bear lake. The place was called palisades amusement park, and even today, several decades after it closed, the park is warmly remembered. Palisades amusement park nj postcard history series. Located on a 38 acres on the borders of cliffside park and fort lee. It was during this week in september, 1971, that palisades amusement park closed forever after a century of fun times.
It tells you the entire history of the park from when it opened until it closed. Little did i know that palisades amusement park was the name of a legendary amusement park in bergen county, new jersey situated right across the hudson river from new york city. It was one of the most visited amusement parks in the country. It was atop the new jersey palisades and was partially in cliffside park and partly in fort lee. Palisades amusement park, a landmark in new jersey, was the primordial soup in which the stopka family evolved, providing a livelihood, an extended family, and a classless university.
The book was sold out almost immediately, and a second printing was commissioned. Americas greatest amusement value featuring 175 thrilling rides and attractions and eight giant colorful midways one mile south of the george washington bridge worlds only giant wheel and jungleland. Growing up in the 1930s, there is no more magical place than palisades amusement park in new jersey. In search of the cyclone of palisades amusement park. Closed in 1971, the park was open for almost a century. Palisades amusement park, nj was opened in 1898 by the bergen county traction company as a trolley park offering evening and weekend entertainment rides.
The park operated from 1898 until 1971, remaining one of the most visited amusement parks in the country until the end of its existence. Chrome postcard palisades amusement park new jersey. Map palisades amusement park site, cliffside park, nj. He cites an example in july 1946, where eight black and two white people entered the park together. Palisades amusement park cliffside park, new jersey. Palisades park is an homage to the authors childhood spent near the seasonal amusement park in northern new jersey. This site is dedicated to the preservation of the memory of one of this countrys most beloved fun centers. A century of fond memories became the fastest seller in the history of rutgers university press. Bestseller alan brennerts spellbinding story about a family of dreamers and their lives within the legendary palisades amusement park growing up in the 1930s, there is no more magical place than palisades amusement park in new jersey especially for sevenyearold antoinette, who horrifies her mother by insisting on the unladylike nickname toni, and her brother, jack.
For those who ever visited the park, this book is sure to bring back cherished memories and recreate the thrills, laughter, and joy that was. It was called bergen point amusement park, better known to locals as uncle miltys. When we got to the park most kids would head to the bobs or another of the roller. Big scenic railway palisades amusement park cliffside park, new jersey, united states removed, operated from to roller coaster wood sit down. He is the founder and executive director of palisades amusement park historical society, author of an earlier palisades history, and writer and coproducer of an awardwinning palisades television documentary. Perhaps fittingly for a story set largely in an amusement park, brennerts novel glides right by some of the most pivotal moments in 20thcentury american history the great depression, world. Originally published in 1995, palisades amusement park. Once home to the famous cyclone roller coaster, the worlds largest outdoor salt water pool, and vinegarsoaked french fries, palisades continues to live on in the hearts of millions of people.
Back in 1995, the new palisades amusement park book set record sales for the publisher. Palisades amusement park nj postcard history series vince gargiulo on. Palisades park, new jersey, a borough in bergen county, new jersey. Destroyed by a fire on august, 1944 that started in the virginia reel. For those who ever visited palisades amusement park, this book is sure to bring back those cherished remembrances. Books similar to palisades park goodreads share book. Palisades amusement park was a 38acre amusement park located in bergen county, new jersey, across the hudson river from new york city. It was during september of 1971 that palisades amusement park closed forever after a century of fun times.
The park opened under the name palisades amusement park until alvin died in 1909. Palisades amusement park miniature replica on display at nj. It was located atop the new jersey palisades lying partly in cliffside park and partly in fort lee. Fort lee, nj upcoming palisades amusement park exhibit at the fort lee museum to celebrate the centennial of the worlds largest outdoor saltwater pool and the publication of a new book. Special thanks to debbie seidner for preserving this clip. Just a guess, but id say it probably closed in the early to mid 1950s. As many of us know either from personal history or from reading vinces book or seeing his pbs documentary, palisades amusement park. Visit palisades amusement park once again in miniature at. Palisades amusement park, a defunct amusement park in bergen county, new jersey palisades park freddy cannon song, 1962 recording inspired by the park palisades park counting crows song, 2014 recording inspired by the park palisades park santa monica, a park along the pacific coastline. I learned alot of things about the park that i never knew from reading this book.
Palisades amusement park was an amusement park located in bergen county, new jersey, across the hudson river from new york city. In 1907 the park was purchased by august neumannm the fist mayor of cliffside park. Cousin brucie announces lineup for sixth annual palisades. Originally known as the park on the palisades the nearby scenic hudson river attracted many evening and weekend passengers. Palisades amusement park stock pictures, royaltyfree.
The midtown men, featuring four cast members of the original broadway production of jersey boys christian hoff, michael longoria, daniel reichard and j. A tribute to new jerseys palisades amusement park, it is an uptempo rock and roll tune led by a distinctive organ part. It is a real must read for anyone who used to love going to palisades amusement park for a day of fun. Palisades amusement park by vince gargiulo arcadia publishing. This best selling book is finally back and now available in a soft cover edition. Robert spencer will be among the performers at dj cousin bruces sixth annual palisades park reunion at. Palisades park is a song written by chuck barris and recorded by freddy cannon.
Palisades amusement park historical society shared a post. This great theme park housed a garish collection of rides such as atomic boats, batman slide, a giant roller coaster and many more. Big scenic railway palisades amusement park cliffside. For book clubs, palisades park has themes to discuss. Find books like palisades park from the worlds largest community of readers. Remembering the final summer at palisades amusement park. Located in cliffside park, new jersey, palisades amusement park was a historic american amusement park in operation from 1898 through 1971, preserved today with a public park memorial and special event lecture series. This site is dedicated to preserving the fond memories of palisades amusement park. When i was a tyke, there was an amusement park in my hometown of bayonne, nj. This book is a wonderful tribute to the famous palisades amusement park in new jersey a mile from where alan himself lived as child. Palisades amusement park new jersey fridge magnet vintage large letter post card image greetings from palisades amusement park, palisade, new jersey this is where we would go to swim in the summer in the pool with waves. A century of fond memories high atop the new jersey palisades cliffs, located within the boroughs of cliffside park and fort lee, once stood the home of the famous cyclone roller coaster, the tunnel of love and the worlds largest salt water pool. Full story palisades amusement park historical society. This is the site of the old palisades amusement park in cliffside park.
Vintage linen postcard from the late, great palisades park, immortalized in bruce springsteens songs, among others. Bestseller alan brennerts spellbinding story about a family of dreamers and their lives within the legendary palisades amusement park. A century of fond memories 1st edition by gargiulo, vince 1995 hardcover hardcover 1601. Bestseller alan brennerts spellbinding story about a family of dreamers and their lives within the legendary palisades amusement park growing up in the 1930s, there is no more magical place than palisades amusement park in new jersey. This is the actual tv commercial that aired in the 1960s for the legendary palisades amusement park. The track also incorporates amusement park sound effects, including the sounds of screaming riders on the roller coasters, and the quoting of a slower version of the march of the clowns. The first single off their 2014 album, somewhere under wonderland, palisades park is an eightminute story about a friend, andy, and the amusement park in new jersey that was open from 1898.
An epic journey through the life of a treasured amusement park, with a cast of. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. Vince gargiulo grew up in cliffside park under the glow of the famed amusement park. A brief history of palisades amusement park excerpted from the book palisades amusement park. If you lived in the njny area during the 1960s this radio commercial should jog some memories for you. Looking for info on bergen point park, bayonne, nj. Its a nostalgic walk down memory lane, during the heyday of amusement parks in the 1930s through the 1970s. With his third novel, palisades park, alan brennert has cemented his. Map to recommended offbeat attractions, and road trip sights museums, monuments, tourist traps, folk art, pet cemeteries. Palisades park is a borough in bergen county, new jersey, united states. For those who ever visited the park, this book is sure to bring back cherished memories and recreate the thrills, laughter, and joy that was palisades.
This book is a wonderful tribute to the famous palisades amusement park in new. Palisades park, nj not the amusement park infobarrel. Find highquality palisades amusement park stock photos and editorial news pictures from getty images. This place and book is a true part of new jerseys history. A century of fond memories, the author vince gargiulo writes that in reality, the club allowed park officials to discriminate according to the color of the patrons skin. Nestled into scenic cliffside park of new jersey sat a trolley park much like others of the time. If you are a fan of those nostalgic days at palisades amusement park, youre going to love some of these items. Cyclone was the name of two wooden roller coasters which operated at palisades amusement park in bergen county, new jersey. The first rides were added when the park was sold to august neuman and frank knox in 1908.
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