♪♪
The Bitter Lake neighborhood in northwest Seattle
has seen many transformations over the years: a pristine
lake frequented by local tribes, a small sawmill
and a once popular amusement park called Playland.
In the late 1920s, Leo F. Smith
president of the Washington
amusement company, and co investor W.A.
Logus, decided
that the time was ripe for Seattle
to have an exciting new amusement park.
For its location,
they chose the shores of Bitter Lake,
and after seven months of construction
at a cost of $750,000, Playland opened on May 24th,
1930, just months after the stock market crash.
(carnival sounds)
Amidst an economic depression,
the owners urged thrill seekers to visit
a place where they could "banish jaded nerves,
nagging thoughts and worries,
and to apply instead wholesome recreation and relaxation."
The most impressive ride at the park was The Dipper,
the massive roller coaster that cost $75,000 to build.
For the more adventurous,
there was the Giant Whirl, with its 85-foot steel chains
connecting 30 cars to a giant maypole.
Other popular rides included The Phantom, the Funhouse,
a merry-go-round, a miniature scenic railroad and more.
(train whistles)
Visitors loved Playland, but
the Washington amusement company
had sunk so much money into the operation,
there was little way to make a return on their investment.
They sold the lease to Carl Phare, designer of the park's
roller coaster,
who then operated Playland
with a succession of partners for the next 30 years.
Phare had worked at various amusement
parks and expositions since he was a child
and knew how to attract fun seekers.
The entrance fee at Playland was a dime for anyone over 12.
Rides were ten cents each.
To entice return visitors,
Phare held numerous promotions,
including flagpole sitters, dance
marathons and special days
for children, for city workers,
and for employees of various businesses.
In 1933, Playland Stadium opened just
east of the park with an oval track for dog racing.
But the state
quickly stepped in and shut it down for betting.
In 1941,
the oval was widened to accommodate
midget racers, small but high-powered sedans,
which proved to be quite popular.
Unfortunately, the races were soon
put on hiatus due to World War II gas rationing
and rubber shortages.
But the races returned to an eager audience in 1946.
(fire truck siren blares)
In 1950, the stadium grandstand
burned down in a fire.
It was rebuilt.
But then in 1953,
Playland itself was hit by a giant blaze which damaged
many of the rides
and destroyed the concession building and Phare's office,
which contained
business records and the archives of the park.
(carnival sounds)
The rides were repaired, but the novelty of Playland
was beginning to fade.
In 1954,
Bitter Lake
and the surrounding
neighborhood was annexed to Seattle,
which brought new infrastructure and more homes.
By the end of the decade, the park and school boards
had acquired most of the land where Playland was located,
and the amusement park was officially condemned.
At the end of 1961, the last traces of Playland
were dismantled to make way for a school,
a community center and a play field.
♪♪