sinister1 Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 But one thing strikes me, if Luna Park was once called "Colonial Park" then it would show up in the directories for that period wouldn't it? I recall it being also named Venice but not Colonial. So may questions. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highrise Tower Posted December 3, 2022 Share Posted December 3, 2022 Wikpedia has a good write-up about the Luna Park to Venice Park conversion: The original owners sold the property to a local lawyer (Abe W. Wagner) who held a contest to choose a new name. The eventual winner was Venice Park. He also changed the address to 2212. From the newspaper The Houston Post dated April 21, 1927: What's In A Name? $750.00 in Prizes. Houston's Greater Amusement Park. The name contest opens Thursday, April 21, and closes Saturday night, April 30. Names submitted must be on "Official Name Blank" and may be dropped on the contest boxes in the Park or mailed to Contest Editor, Houston Greater Amusement Park, Houston Avenue, Houston, Texas. Name suggestions by mail close Wednesday, April 27. Name suggestions deposited in the the contest box at the Park will be accepted any date during the contest up to the closing night, April 30th, inclusive. Names received by mail will not be considered if postmarked before April 21 or later than midnight, April the 27th. From newspaper The Houston Post dated June 16, 1927: Abe W. Wagner, Houston lawyer and amusement park director, and Miss Kathleen Chrisman, daughter of Mrs. W.T. Chrisman o Dallas, were married at Richmond on May 21, it was announced this week. Wagner, well known in legal circles, has devoted a major part of recent months to director of Venice Amusement Park. Mrs. Wagener, a vocalist and violinist of talent, is well known in Dallas social circles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highrise Tower Posted February 7, 2023 Share Posted February 7, 2023 Found this awesome photo online. You have to click the image URL below to see in full size. Venice Park (formerly: Luna Park). 2212 Houston Avenue, Houston, Texas. CA, 1927 https://i.imgur.com/3KiFjkm.jpg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NenaE Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 Historic Aerials now has a 1930's aerial map view of Houston. Venice Park's (previous Luna Pk) layout can be seen in the 1930's map. The roller coaster was placed parallel to Houston Ave (near the park entrance). The northern coaster turn was close to the bayou. You can also see the placement of the merry-go-rounds. GE (1944) vs HA (1930) 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NenaE Posted August 23 Share Posted August 23 (edited) After studying the photo in Highrise Tower's post (above), I realized the roller coaster not only ran N-S, but also E-W.. It does a lil loop in the NW corner. Several coaster websites refer to it as an L-shaped "out-and back". It was huge. Only after modification and reduction was it moved to Playland Park. From what I can tell from the 1927 photo, the East coaster turn was behind the huge dome-shaped ballroom. Edited August 23 by NenaE 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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