Wednesday, September 14, 2011

ABC Wednesday: I is for Idora Park

Once thought to have been part of Idora Park, this windmill was a lemonade stand that stood outside of the park.  It is now the last remnant of what had been a 17 acre amusement park that bordered Telegraph Avenue.  Way back in the day, Idora Park was a destination visited by such luminaries as Jack London, Charlie Chaplin, and Buster Keaton.
According to Wikipedia it was especially known for its Opera House, scenic railway, rollercoasters, and vaudeville shows.  Built in 1904, it closed in 1929.  Click here for more old photos of Idora.  Visit ABC Wednesday for more takes on the letter I.
Posted by Oakland Daily Photo at 12:01 AM
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9 comments:

  1. dianasfaria.comSeptember 13, 2011 at 10:17 PM

    I bet kids loved getting their lemonade there!

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  2. RajeshSeptember 14, 2011 at 12:10 AM

    Great shots from the park.

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  3. Roger Owen GreenSeptember 14, 2011 at 2:40 AM

    A little worse for wear, but still ICONIC.

    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

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  4. Louis la VacheSeptember 14, 2011 at 3:38 AM

    «Louis» has often wondered what the story was on this windmill. The park must have been a victim of the onset of the Depression.

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  5. Martha ZSeptember 14, 2011 at 12:58 PM

    The small, local amusement parks seem to be a thing of the past, replaced by the large theme parks like Disneyland and Six Flags.
    When I was small my dad would take me to an amusement park in West Hollywood. Now the space is filled by a large mall.

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  6. ArtandArchitecture-SF.comSeptember 14, 2011 at 3:12 PM

    Wow - fascinating, thanks for teaching me something new today. Want to open a lemonade stand? It would be fun to see it come back, latte's and ice cream perhaps?

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  7. DyannaSeptember 14, 2011 at 3:31 PM

    Great to hear the story behind that windmill - near Steele's, right? I never guessed that there was once an amusement park on that site. Your post made me feel nostalgic for something I never knew existed!

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  8. LVSeptember 14, 2011 at 3:49 PM

    A shame someone did not take care of the windmill. Could be a very nice sight.

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  9. KathySeptember 14, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    It looks like at one time it was a great carnival attraction.

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