Glen Island Park
 | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Long Island Sound |
| Coordinates | 40°53′07″N 73°47′02″W / 40.8852°N 73.7838°W |
| Administration | |
United States | |
Glen Island Park is a 105 acres (0.42 km2) park, located on an island in Long Island Sound. The park is owned and operated by Westchester County and shares Glen Island with a privately operated but county-owned entertainment facility, the Glen Island Harbour Club.[1]
History
Starin's 'Glen Island'
In 1879 former U.S. Congressman John H. Starin bought Glen Island and four nearby islands. He gave Glen Island its name and converted the islands into a summer resort for city dwellers that has been called "the first theme park."[2] The islands were connected by causeways and piers and each island featured a different international theme. [3] Steamships transported visitors from New York City to the park.[4] The park, which opened in 1881, attracted thousands of people daily, included among its attractions a bathing beach, a natural history museum, a zoo, A German beer garden and castle, musical entertainment, and a Chinese pagoda.[2][5]
In 1923 Westchester County acquired the site, which is now a public recreational park.[3]
'Glen Island Casino'
Also located on the island is the Glen Island Casino, the popular performance venue for the famous musicians and big bands during the 1930s and 1940s. It was seen as the prestige place for people who listened to bands on radio because of the many performances that were broadcast from the Casino each week, reaching countless listeners across the country. It was the "springboard to success" for many big bands including those of Glenn Miller, Ozzie Nelson, Charlie Barnet, Claude Thornhill, Les Brown and the Dorsey brothers. [6] [7] [8]
References
- ^ "Glen Island Park". Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation & Conservation. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
- ^ a b New Rochelle History: 1861-1879 timeline, City of New Rochelle website
- ^ a b Amusement Parks of New York, page. 24
- ^ National Cyclopaedia of American Biography
- ^ Starin's Glen Island: Enhanced Attractions of a Famous Resort, NY Times 1897
- ^ POP/JAZZ; GLENN MILLER SOUND OF 1939 AT GLEN ISLAND CASINO, NY Times 1984
- ^ Glen Island Casino is Host to New Era, NY Times 1979
- ^ Glen Island Casino Reopens In Wake Of Big Band Revival, Mojave Daily Miner 1984
