Luna Park Amusement Park At 2200 Houston Ave.

[Highrise Tower]

On 9/2/2008 at 10:05 AM, NenaE said:

Here are some more notes for comparison, The Cinema Houston book briefly mentions Luna Park, a 20 acre park, located at the 2200 block of Houston St., says it was billed as the "Coney Island of Texas", opened June 1924, says it wasn't there for very long. Also gives June 1924 as opening date.

Formal Opening was June 26th, 1924 at 1:30 P.M.

From the newspaper The Houston Post. dated Thursday, June 26, 1924:

Luna Park "The Coney Island of Texas"

Location of the park: 2000 Block of Houston Ave.  Take Woodland Car Direct to Entrance. 

Today’s Program:

Dr. Carver’s Diving Horses

This is a thrilling outdoor act of unusual merit. Two performance will be staged daily. From the top of a platform, 40 feet high, a trained horse dives into a tank of water. Astride this animal is a young woman, who risks her life twice daily that those in search of a thrill might have their desires gratified. 

Another Thriller!

Riderless, another one of Dr. Carver’s famous horses, plunges head foremost from the diving platform, striking the water nose first—turning a complete somersault in midair!

Luna Park’s Dancing Casino:

Luna Park’s dancing casino is the last word in modern architecture. So constructed as to eliminate all posts, both on the dance floor and that section of the structure reserved for spectators, this casino ranks far ahead of any in the Southwest. More than give thousand electric lights will cast radiance over the merry dancers when the first soft strains of the orchestra start the ball. The floor is a spring floor and is constructed independently of that portion of the gigantic building set aside for those who would watch the dance. This method of construction eliminates all vibration and makes dancing on this floor a novelty and a real pleasure.

Giant Skyrocket:

This device combines the thrill of aviation into one big sensation that assails the rider during each moment of the mile and a quarter trip.  From a point 110 feet above the park, the cars of the giant skyrocket plunge downward 87 feet, only to climb again to a dizzy height—much as would a huge skyrocket, from which the device derived its name. Safe in every detail, planned with mathematic precision, the skyrocket is a riding device that one will never forget.  

Mechanical Caterpillar:

The mechanical caterpillar is a ride everyone knows and enjoys. It needs no instruction to Houstonians. Suffice to say it is one of the latest 1924 type, embodying all of the new features planned and executed by a corps of amusement park experts.

Baby Airplane Swing:

The baby airplane swing is a replica of the large seaplane swing. It is exclusively for the kiddies and has all of the features of the bigger ride for the grownups. Like all of Luna Park’s rides, the baby airplane swing is under the supervision of trained park experts.

Picnic Grove:

One of the natural features of the Luna Park is a shaded picnic grove, through which wends a tiny rivulet. Located with a stone’s throw of the main section of the park, this grove yet has the appearance of a woodland removed by miles from the nearest habitation. Shading a mossy carpet of grass are stately trees, which afford adequate shade during the warmest days. Scattered throughout this picnic grove, which covers several city blocks, are white tables, benches, and rustic seats—all of which are at the free disposal of picnic parties. 

Seaplane Swing:

The seaplane swing is a riding device unsurpassed for novelty and real thrills. High above the park, tiny gondola-like cars whirr around through the air almost sound.  Brilliantly lighted, this ride gives one the impression of soaring in an airplane high above the clouds where the light of the sun pours down as only it does have the fleecy clouds. Like the many other Luna Park rides the seaplane swing is the last word in safety and pleasure. 

Miniature Railway:

For the kiddies there is a miniature railway train- Tiny tracks, cars, engine and all! 
The baby engine is the little brother of the Big Baldwins, which speed through the nation day and night. It has a throttle, smokestack, boiler, tender and everything like the big engines. This tiny train runs on a circular track more than one thousand feet long. A ride on it is something the children will seek again and long remember. 

Merry-Go-Round:

Another device for the children is the large merry-go-round. This device has four horses abreast and is one of the largest now in operation anywhere. Attendants long trained in the care of children have been placed in charge of this ride. It is safe to put the kiddie on the merry-go-round and forget them for a time. 

Auto Parking:

You can drive out to Luna Park in your automobile, bring your machine within the big 36-acre playground, leave it with a trained attendant and forget all about it, knowing it will be properly cared for. Luna Park’s automobile parking ground is extensive, well graded, dry at all times and may be reached by a paved roadway which leads from the front gate of the playground. Special police will be on hand at all times to see that your machine is not molested. 

Luna Park may be reached from the downtown section by driving out Washington avenue to 
Houston avenue, north on that thoroughfare to the 2200 block, where will be found a monstrous electric sign which spells “Luna Park”