Description
Book SynopsisSloan's Lake had a long history of entertaining Denver residents with boating, fishing, swimming, and a steamboat canal built in the 1870s. In 1890, Adam Graff and his partners opened a new park on the shore of Sloan's Lake that would eventually become Manhattan Beach. Originally created as a summer pleasure resort with a highly respected summer theater, boating, fishing, and music, the park quickly expanded to include typical amusement attractions, including Denver's first roller coaster and merry-go-round. When the concept of the amusement park was created in 1895 with the opening of Sea Lion Park on Coney Island in New York, Manhattan Beach was already a step ahead of rivals Elitch Gardens and Arlington Park. Operating from 1890 to 1914, Manhattan Beach Amusement Park was the first true amusement park in Denver and was enjoyed by residents and visitors for nearly twenty-five years as Denver tried to shake off its image as a dusty cow town from gold mining days and fought to be se
