Riverview Park Urban Legends Pg 2

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RIVERVIEW'S URBAN LEGENDS PAGE 2

Still more Urban Legends and Myths

Some we acknowledge as true, some we don't and some we actually don't know if true or not.

LEGEND...The Hell's Angels motorcycle club took over the park and created panic and chaos.
Fact or Fiction?

Actually there was a local chapter of an outlaw motorcycle club known as the "El Forasteros" that would come to the park usually one evening every summer. They did not take over the park but pretty much followed a routine that was acceptable to us and we went along with it. They would first purchase some ride tickets and head for the Coaster. We would let them fill the train up twice as a group and then give them a free re-ride. Then they would all head for the bump cars and again fill all the cars for a couple consecutive rides and a free one. Towards the end of their "visit" they would split up somewhat, with most heading to the Pineroom Restaurant and all sit or stand at the restaurants bar and down a couple bottles of beer and lastly head for the parking lot. After regrouping at their motorcycles they would leave in unison just as they arrived. Although quite an intimidating sight with 2 or 3 dozen bikers coming across the bridge with the rumbling roar of motorcycle engines "announcing" their arrival to the entire park, we had learned to trust rather than fear them.

When the El Forasteros had left Riverview, the park was always still standing. To their credit, they obeyed the rules and weren't even looking for trouble, only some fun. The family park patrons present usually were apprehensive with the clubs presence but at the same time, fascinated and surprised by their friendly behavior. Thus this myth is partially true. The "El Forasteros" did annually drop in, but never did take over or cause any trouble.

LEGEND...A large truck fell through the middle of the bridge.
Fact or Fiction?

Few people knew it but Riverview had a second entrance into the park by the south levee with no bridge to cross. All large, heavy trucks and delivery vehicles were stopped by a gate guard and directed to the levee entrance. In the early 1970's when the gate guard had left his station, a large delivery truck approached and started across the bridge. Halfway across, he not only heard rattling boards, but the sound of snapping timbers. In slow motion his truck proceeded to fall through the bridge and had to be removed by a crane. He was unhurt. This legend is true.

LEGEND...A large politically incorrect mural from the 1930's was hidden behind the baseball throwing game backdrop tarp.
Fact or Fiction?

The baseball throwing game where you would get three throws to knock over small canvas figures, did in fact have a grim secret. Behind the figures was a large canvas tarp that was a backstop for the thrown balls. Unknown by most and forgotten by all, hidden for decades behind the tarp, was an oil painted mural on canvas from the 1930's depicting several African-American figures as Little Black Sambo like cartoon characters. This mural was approximately 12 feet long and 8 foot high and when "discovered" in the 1970's it was removed and destroyed. Unfortunately, though very politically incorrect and offensive, this myth is true.

Is there more.....

As we hear from our visitors, they have provided some first hand memories that are very accurate and some that are a little foggy and only partially true. Some even relate the famous "My father's uncle had a neighbor that knew the person that saw this" (Big Wink).
Still, please, feel free to share any information or opinions with us as we keep our minds open to any and all contributions. Also if you have an urban legend of Riverview not listed,
please share it with us.

Yup, we have had some surprises but would never discount what someone thinks they remember. Admittingly, our memories are sadly beginning to fog and blur as we age also.
So, agree or disagree, someone somewhere believes.....

UPDATE: Elvis picture - Elvis riding the bump cars was sent to us asking if this was Riverview. We got excited thinking it was! We contacted Cheryl of the Elvis Presley Fan Club and were informed the picture was indeed Elvis and a girlfriend at the time, but it was taken at Libertyland Park.

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