The late 1800's saw the beginning of a brand new industry, Public Transportation. Electric Traction (Trolley) Companies began to appear in the urban United States. To get the general public to ride the trolleys on Saturdays and Sundays, thus creating more revenue for the transportation companies, attractions were needed to draw the public.
How did they do this? By building an amusement park at the end of the trolley line, hence the term, "Trolley Park", and a new era began. Soon hundreds of trolley parks were in operation throughout the United States.
Around the world at the turn of the century, hundreds of new amusement parks opened, while many early trolley parks expanded by adding new rides and attractions. New innovations provided greater and more intense thrills to the growing crowds. By 1919, over 1,500 amusement parks were in operation in the United States. Unfortunately, this glory did not last.**
CONDENSED RIVERVIEW PARK CENTURY TIMELINE
1888 - A charter is granted to E. T. Likes and Lowry Good to build and operate the Belt Line Railway, with steam motive power, in North Des Moines, beginning at Locust Street on First, thence north along the river to Highland Park.
1890 - Zoolological Gardens were present around Zoo Lake (future site of Riverview) and owned and developed by L. M. Mann of Des Moines
1910 - An idea was spawned to develop an amusement park in the Zoological Gardens in Highland Park and a group of investors began the planning.
1912 - John Miller patented his design for the underfriction roller coaster. This new method of holding the coaster to the tracks, while reducing drag, revolutionized the roller coaster, safely allowing for higher, steeper drops and faster speeds. John Miller used this new design for designing the Riverview Park Roller Coasters.
1915 - Riverview Park opened in Des Moines on the former Zoological Garden site that was also an end of a trolly line following the aforementioned proven plan for success. The roar of the Jack Rabbit Roller Coaster began, designed by John Miller. Other attractions besides rides included Eateries, Rowboating/Canoeing on the lagoon, Roller Skating, Live Performing Acts, Swimming and a Dance Pavilion. It is one of the rainiest summers in Iowa history but the park still thrills thousands of Iowans flocking to the new attraction.
1920's - This was the golden age of amusement parks. Many larger cities had as many as six. Many of the best roller coasters of all time were built during this period. Riverview's Jack Rabbit Coaster has been destroyed by fire and a new John Miller designed Coaster was constructed at Riverview. It was one of his first early creations with 8 full dips all going to the ground and the excitement didn't stop until the park closed 58 years later.
1929-33 - In 1929, America entered the Depression, The Stock Market Crash and Great Depression caused the closing of many more parks and by 1935 only 400 amusement parks still remained; many struggling to survive.
1933 - The night sky of north Des Moines was crimson and smoking. Riverview was on fire. The flames were so high, they could be seen for miles. Fire swept down the west side of the park destroying everything in its path. The front facade of the roller coaster was consumed, several concessions and stands and also the Fun House (believed to be the origin of the fire) was reduced to smoking ash. Riverview owners vow to rebuild the destroyed portions of the amusement park.
1940's - Amusement Parks offered a diversion from the Second World War yet World War II for the most part, hurts the industry, when many parks closed and others refrained from adding new attractions due to rationing. Big band popularity and the Riviera ballroom help carry Riverview through the lean years.
More On The Riviera Ballroom . -Click-
1944 - Riverview Amusement Park is flooded
Riverview flood photos . -Click-
1950's - With the end of World War II, America and the amusement park industry enjoyed post war prosperity. Attendance and revenues grew. A post war boom in attendance continued in established amusement parks including Riverview. On a downside, a 1952 spring flood again puts Riverview in harms way just a few weeks before the season opening that year.
1955 - Disneyland opened. Generally considered the nation's first theme park. Disneyland represented the largest investment for building an amusement park that had been made up to that time. In spite of skepticism over such a new concept, the wonderous park was an instant success, drawing 3.8 million visitors to its five themed areas during its first season.
1959 - The first major tubular steel roller coaster was introduced and it forever changed the face of roller coaster development.
1960 - A new Schiff Wild Mouse was purchased by Riverview and became the second most popular ride in the park.
Late 1960's to Early 1970's - Large inner city parks around the country begin closing, reflecting changing times. As turmoil increases throughout large cities, parks feel similar pressures. Land values increase tempting struggling parks to close and sell the land.
1970's - Large corporate backed Theme Parks begin growing in numbers. Unfortunately, while theme parks were opening across the country, many small family owned traditional parks succumb to competitive pressures. Many of the grand old traditional amusement parks similiar to Riverview are forced to close in the face of increased competition and urban decay. Only a handfull of traditional parks renovate and expand to compete with the new wave of theme parks.
1973- Riverview takes delivery of a new Soli Himalaya ride from Italy to help it compete with the new wave. It is one of the most expensive ride purchases for the park.
1977 - Riverview is also starting to feel the pinch and the gasoline shortage of 1972 cuts park attendance by nearly 20%. In early 1977, after two consecutive non-growth seasons and the competition of recently opened Adventureland, owners make the difficult decision to put Riverview up for sale.
1978- Riverview closes for the season on Labor Day.No one realizes at the time that this amusement park has just seen its last day of operation and Riverview Park is to never open again....
1979 - Adventureland purchases Riverview Park with the stated intent to the owners of keeping it open as a "company picnic" facility and discount amusement facility. Once papers are signed, Adventureland locks the gates and closes the park.
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