Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then & Now Collection."
STEVE HARMON
Hutch Post Contributor
Today's "Throwback Thursday Collection" takes us to the Carey Park entrance at 1000 S. Main.
Riverside Park existed as early as 1888 with animal selections for the public. By 1910, "Koon" Beck, a wild animal collector and breeder, had assumed management of the park. The park boasted a swimming pool, roller skating rink, chance booths, amphitheater, small steam train and waterfowl lagoon.
In 1910, Beck started construction of a breathtaking roller coaster. It took 20 men to construct and was an exact reproduction of the one in Denver, a figure eight.
The coaster opened to a big crowd July 23, 1910. The first photo shows its positioning next to the Arkansas River Bridge.
The second photo shows an aerial view of the tracks taken from the top of the searchlight tower.
The third photo shows the roller coaster and the trolley tracks turnaround next to the Carriage Works building.
On Nov. 10, 1915, the roller coaster and the searchlight tower were completely destroyed by a 9 p.m. tornado, but it was quickly rebuilt. It was dismantled shortly after that when a young girl was killed on the ride.
In 1921, Emerson Carey donated 200 acres of land — just southeast of this park — to the city. That land was merged with the existing park and the name was changed to Carey Park. The fourth photo shows the current park entrance at the end of Main Street, very close to where the roller coaster was.
To purchase a print, contact: [email protected].
Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:
Gambino's Pizza
Sleep Shoppe & Furniture Gallery
Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce
STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum
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