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In 1941 the amusement rides at Natatorium Park were in full swing. The park, which opened in 1893, was originally known as Twickenham Park, and was operated by Spokane United Railways until 1929 when it was sold to Louis Vogel. The park closed in 1968. The land is now occupied by a mobile home park.
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The historic driving of the golden spike which completed the first transcontinental railroad was re-enacted here at Natatorum Park in 1952, when a miniature Union Pacific streamliner was opened. J.S. Ellison, a veteran dispatcher for the railroad, stands in for Leland Stanford and W. West Durant, who drove the original spike in Promontory, Utah, 83 years before. Miss Carol Haas, Spokane's Lilac Queen that year, looks on.
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Children engoyed the challenge of trying to keep their balance on the Joy Wheel, a popular attraction at Spokane's Natatorium Park. The floor rotated on a large wheel in the center. The park opened in 1889 as Twickenham Park and later was renamed Natatorium Park. It closed in 1968. This photo was taken in the 1940's.
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Two new arrivals – in decidedly formal attire – were in the Natatorium park zoo in 1956. Pennie and Porki, yearling Adelie-form penguins, shared the Nat outdoor swimming pool with owner Lloyd A Vogel's four sea lions. The flightless aquatic birds were received by air express from homer Snow of Oakland, Calif., noted animal trainer and importer who has appeared in Spokane on many occasions. Pictured here, Porki (left) and Pennie answer the Nat dinner bell. P
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An undated photo from the Looff Carrousel when it was one of the major attractions in Natatorium Park.
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1920. Photo of a motorcycle race held at Natatorium Park behind the dance hall where the baseball field and midget car races took place. Bill Myers, second from right, raced his Harley Davidson with sidecar (passenger name unknown). Myers, a motorcycle enthusiast, owned four Harley Davidsons by the time he was 14 years old. Photo submitted by Verna Deane Myers Westby, the daughter of Bill Myers.
Courtesy Of Verna Deane Myers Westby The Daughter Of Bill Myers
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Here at Natatorium Park in March 1958, owner Lloyd Vogel stands beside a race car ride about to be enjoyed by Ray Flaherty and his son, Flipper.
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In the spring of 1941, Harry W. Bauer (left) was the grounds keeper for Natatorium Park. He took care of the park for many years, staying on staff after owner Lloyd Vogel died and Bill Oliver and Vogel's son Lewis took over until the park's dismantling in the 1960's. In this photo Harry Bauer's son, Red Bauer helps him remove some forest debris.
Courtesy Of Pearle Benedict
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Thousands visited Natatorium Park for thrills and amusement in the early 1900s. The park closed in the 1960s.
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This well at Natatorium Park was the source of water for the park's indoor pool, which opened in 1909. Zinkgraf's Well Drilling with, from left, Harold Schram, George Allison, and the company's owner and founder, Carl F. Zinkgraf, dug the well. The company operated from 1888 until 1990. Natatorium Park's outdoor swimming pool, which opened in 1893 was filled with river water.
Courtesy Rose Zinkgraf
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This 1932 photo of Phil Sheridan and his Montanans Orchestra was taken at Spokane's Natatorium Park. After a summer engagement there, the orchestra remained based in Spokane playing engagements at Nat Park, Triamon Ball Room, Davenport Hotel, and area dance halls for several years. They are, from left to right: Phil Sheridan, Earl "Hank" Shinkosky, Mortimer "Mutt" Sullivan, Richard "Cec" Ennis, Boots Brindle, Sid Walden, Harry Walden, and Paul Putnam.
Courtesy Of Harry Walden
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The original Silver Mermaids posed for a photo at the Natatorium Park pool in 1954. The synchronized water ballet group was led by Bess Carlson who instructed the girls for the Red Cross in Spokane. They performed in the icy water with an acrobat from California for one week. Photo submitted by Joyce M. Anderson Miller, third from right
Courtesy Of Joyce M. Anderson Miller Third From Right
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On the summer evening of July 22, 1919 former Wisconsin residents gathered at Natatorium Park for a "Wisconsin Picnic." These picnics were common amongst groups of people living in Spokane who had moved from various states. E.E. Alexander, fourth from right in foreground, was one of several men who were involved with The Old Dominion Mine north of Colville and also had dealings with Wyatt Earp.
Courtesy Of Pauline Hagan
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A 1955 photo from the Looff Carrousel when it was one of the major attractions in Natatorium Park.
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Undated photo of Natatorium Park.
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In 1890, the baseball grounds were built at Natatorium Park in west-central Spokane, which was owned by the Washington Water Power Company. The grandstand seated 3,000 people.
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Testing the octopus at Spokane's Natatorium Park are Shiri MacKelvie and Mike Drehen, who were watching workmen refurbish the equipment in 1964. Phil Slusser, who has worked 12 years at the park, checks door.
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Waiting for fishy tidbits from youngsters attending the Tilakum picnic at Natatorium park in 1958 is young Leo, 9-month-old leopard sea lion, new star attraction at the zoo. Leo, whose bid for attention somewhat resembles that of a hula dancer, is a recent arrival from San Francisco and still is having trouble defending his share of both audience and dinner from the full-grown sea lions, zoo caretaker report.
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1950 photo of boys enjoying the ride at Natatorium Park.
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Undated photo of attendees riding a roller coaster at Natatorium Park.
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Tilakums at the Natatorium Park Ballroom 1943.
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The Natatorium Park and fountain in Spokane in 1928.
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Natatorium Park 1929,
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Natatorium Park 1941.
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Natatorium Park night scene in this undated photo.
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Natatorium Park Lily Pond in the 1930s.
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Natatorium Park 1931.
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Natatorium Park Spokane 1933.
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Natatorium Park undated photo.
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Natatorium Park 1943.
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1935 Natatorium Park
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Natatorium Park in 1941
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This unidentified couple share a picnic at Natatorium Park in 1904. "Nat Park" as everyone called it, was located along the Spokane River below the modern day West Central neighborhood. In the early 1900s, it was famous for its picnic grounds, reached for 5 cents on the West Boone Avenue street car. The park was also known for its swimming pool built along the river and would, in a few years (1909) become home to the now famous Looff Carrousel (now at Riverfront Park.). Nat Park closed in 1968 and Sans Souci West, a housing community, is on the land where Nat Park once drew thousands of people on warm weekends. From the King Collection/Spokesman-Review archves (Rebecca Nappi owns photo rights)
Courtesy Of Rebecca Nappi
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