Pontchartrain
Beach
As New Orleanians
remain scattered across the land, it seemed like a good time to remember
a New Orleans of a kinder, gentler time. For those of us who grew up in
the Crescent City during the middle of the last century, no fonder memories
exist than those of Pontchartrain Beach Amusement Park. The Beach was our
answer to Coney Island or Balboa Park, and many happy memories were made
there. I hope that this page will bring some pleasant memories of what
once was a great place to live, play and raise your family.
Approaching the entrance
to Pontchartrain Beach from Elysian Fields Avenue. (Photo by John
DeMajo)
PONCHARTRAIN BEACH
was a popular attraction in New Orleans in the years between 1929 and 1983. The beach at the end of Elysian
Fields was actually the third amusement park in the city's history to
be located along the New Orleans Lakefront. In the late 1800's West End
featured a board walk with mechanical amusement rides, live concerts,
dining establishments and an outdoor theatre featuring silent films. Later,
a new park and resort evolved on the site of the old Spanish Fort at the location where
Bayou St. John meets Lake Pontchartrain The Batt family, owners of a New
Orleans ice manufacturing plant, began their involvement in amusement
parks as a provider of ice for the Spanish Fort park. Later, Harry Batt
formed Playland Amusements, a company which owned and operated several of the city's amusement
parks including Pontchartrain Beach.
A view of the previous amusement park at Spanish Fort
(photo courtesy of the LOUIS Digital Library- State of Louisiana)
(photo courtesy of the LOUIS Digital Library- State of Louisiana)
The resort town of Milneburg as it appeared around 1890.
In the photo above, area along the lakefront had been reclaimed. Note that the Milneburg lighthouse, which was located well out into the lake in the preceding picture above, stands well behind the shore line in the photo directly above. Shortly after this photo was taken, Harry Batt, Sr., whose ice manufacturing company provided ice to the Spanish Fort park, purchased the assets of the
old Spanish Fort rides, and moved the park to this newly available location at the end of Elysian Fields Avenue.
The Ferris Wheel,
a signature ride at the Beach, whisked riders seventy-five-feet above
the Midway, providing an outstanding view of the city and the lake. The
Zephyr, however, was probably the beach's most famous ride through most
of its history. (Photo by John DeMajo)
An ambitious Depression
era project, by the Works Progress Administration, reclaimed almost a
mile of land along the southern shore of Lake Pontchartrain Sand was pumped
from the lake bottom to form a new shoreline behind a concrete seawall
which had been constructed by the WPA. Mr. Batt was politically well connected
and was able to secure a long-term State lease on the prime real estate
that now stood at the site of a former Nineteenth-Century vacation resort
village known as Milneburg. (Historic
photos courtesy of New Orleans Public Library) .
The old Milneburg
lighthouse once sat well out over water in Lake Pontchartrain, and was
a functioning aid to navigation into the 20th Century. The Nolan Family
were lighthouse keepers with the U.S. Lighthouse Service, and they manned
the beacon during the Milneburg era. After the land was extended several
hundred feet beyond the lighthouse structure, the popular landmark became
the centerpiece of the beach's "Kiddy Land" amusement section.
Shown here in a 1970's photo by John DeMajo, the Milneburg Light remains
today as part of the research park which now occupies the old beach site.
It is listed on the U.S. Register of Historic Places.
Pontchartrain Beach boasted some of the
most modern and daring rides manufactured by American and European builders.
For many years, Harry Batt traveled the world in search of wilder and more
attractive rides for the park. At the rear of the photo is the aircraft
beacon, atop the Zephyr's highest hill, that could be seen from miles around.(Photo
by John DeMajo)
The beach Carousel
dated back to the late 1800's. Although music was later provided by recordings,
the carousel contained a beautiful example of an air powered pipe organ
built by the Wurlitzer Company.
(photo by John DeMajo)
While most of the younger set went to the
beach to enjoy the rides and the water, there was no shortage of food, drink
or entertainment at the park. Whether
one's taste was for hot dogs, cotton candy or fine gourmet dining, the Beach
had something for everyone. (photo by John DeMajo)
When
it arrived at the Beach, the Galaxy was touted as one of the most exciting
rides ever built.
The Haunted House was a popular attraction
with the younger set. As the cars snaked along the semi-dark halls lined
with ghouls and creepy characters from the our worst nightmares, many a
kiss was stolen amongst the riders.
(photo by John DeMajo)
Another ride brought in by Harry Batt in
the 1960's heyday of the Beach was the Music Express which featured cars
that spun in a circle while on a platform that spun in the opposite direction.
It was definitely not a ride for the faint of heart, or stomach for that
matter, (photo by John DeMajo)
While somewhat milder than the Haunted House,
the Kooky Kastle dealt it's own variety of ghoulish sensationalism,
(photo by John DeMajo)
This unique outdoor
stage, located at the center of the Midway, hosted some of the world's
most famous talent. From concerts to circus acts, to beauty contests,
to Elvis Presley, the Beach Stage was unparalleled for entertainment in
the New Orleans area. And the shows were FREE.
(photo by John DeMajo)
Like the Galaxy, Music Express and Wild
Maus, the Trabante tested the courage, endurance, and digestive system of
the rider. (photo by John DeMajo)
When Putt-Putt Golf became popular, Harry
Batt added a championship miniature course to the Beach. It was one of the
finest Putt-Putt courses in the nation. (photo
by John DeMajo)
This is a photo of the West End boardwalk
amusement area and restaurant, forerunner to Pontchartrain Beach Amusement
Park. I am still trying to
obtain rights to publish photographs of the Bali Hai Restaurant, an important
fixture at the Beach and one of New Orleans famous restaurants of a by-gone
era.(Historic photos courtesy New Orleans Public Library)
Throughout it's history, the Beach offered many promotions designed to draw patrons. Pay-One-Price was a popular promotion during the era when the park was trying to boost attendance after instituting it's gate admission charge. The wrist bands shown below served as proof-of-purchase of beach admission in the pay-one-price promotion.
PLEASE NOTE: I am interested in obtaining
copies of additional photographs of Pontchartrain Beach, and also of the old Steer-Inn restaurant which was located on Elysian Fields Avenue and the Fox Theater which was located on Elysian Fields Avenue near Gentilly, as well as other interesting Gentilly or lakefront related subject material. If you are viewing this site and happen to have interesting photos to share, I will be happy to display your photos, provided that they are your property to legally display, and to give you credit here on the page if you wish.
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