The tragic history and closure of the Sloan’s Lake amusement park in 1914

DENVER (KDVR) — In the late 1800s, Sloan’s Lake Park was home to one of Denver’s most promising amusement parks, until multiple tragic incidents caused the park to shut down just 23 years later.

The park had everything from hot air balloons to acrobats shooting out of cannons to a Cinderella coach pulled by a pair of ostriches.

So, what happened to the attraction?

The history behind Manhattan Beach lies in the records of the Denver Public Library.

Manhattan Beach’s promising beginnings

When Manhattan Beach opened its doors in 1891 on the north shore of Sloans Lake, it was known as the largest amusement park west of the Mississippi.

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The park had attractions like a roller coaster, cruise, dance hall, zoo, skating rink and theater. It also held athletic events, circus acts, live bands and gypsy groups.

The grand opening attracted 10,000 visitors who arrived by horse, buggy and streetcar to see one of Denver’s first amusement parks. But the popularity was short-lived.

A series of unfortunate events

The downfall of the park occurred after many tragic events. Eventually, the park shut down in 1914, only 23 years later.

Boy trampled to death

Several children were on an elephant’s back in the park when a hot air balloon startled the elephant, Roger, causing him to break the trainer’s reins. Several children who were on the elephant’s back at the time fell off, and Roger trampled a boy to death.

While Roger had no violent behaviors before, he was soon “destroyed,” as records say.

It is believed that Roger is still buried underneath the intersection of 20th and Depew.

Mysterious fire

Less than 10 years after opening, a fire in 1908 burned the theater and observatory down to cinder blocks, which stopped the momentum of the park’s success.

The fire occurred the day after Christmas, and the library refers to the fire as “mysterious.”

The sunken ship

The pleasure barge named “City of Denver” was a fan favorite for its cruises in the afternoon and late evening, that is until it sank during a windstorm in 1892.

The park was eventually sold to another owner, who tried to revamp the park and bring it back to life. It was renamed Luna Park, and several attractions were added, like a theater, Ferris wheel, carousel and a new steamboat called “Frolic,” but the park was never the same.

Manhattan Beach Park was permanently shut down in 1914.

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