Lagoon history

California Southern Railroad line was built in 1881.

In 1886, the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad built a resort called Lake Park on the shores of the Great Salt Lake.

Built in 1893, Lagoon’s Victorian-era Carousel features 45 hand-carved horses and other ornate characters.

In the following years, however, the lake level receded drastically until Lake Park was far from the lake, and the park closed by the end of the 1895 season.

1896 – The new Lagoon Resort opens in Farmington at what was then the end of the Bamberger Railway commuter line connecting to Salt Lake City.

In 1899, Lagoon introduced its first thrill ride, Shoot-the-Chutes, sliding boats full of thrill-seekers down a ramp and splashing into the water.

1906 – Shoot-The-Chutes opens as Lagoon’s first thrill ride.

1907 – The Scenic Railway is introduced – Lagoon’s first roller coaster.

1908 – The Bamberger Railway reaches Ogden.

My Grandfather died in 1910 (error in my other comment) so the buildings were built before that.

1911 – Horse races begin at the new Race Track north of the park.

Next, Pacific Coast Highway was built along the coast in 1912 creating another blockage at the mouth.

1916 – Simon Bamberger is elected Utah’s governor.

1927 – A new Swimming Pool with “water fit to drink” opens just north of Lagoon Lake.

The first Fun House was built in 1929, along with many other midway shows, rides, and games.

By early 1944, the United States forces amassed a huge armada of top line carriers, battleships, cruisers, destroyers and submarines for a major surprise sweep against Truk on February 16th, 17th and 18th.

1946 – The park re-opens under a lease by the Utah Amusement Corporation, consisting of Ranch S. Kimball and the Freed brothers.

During the 1950’s and 60’s, the park became a concert hot spot, drawing many famous entertainers.

Starting in 1952, the San Marcos Dam dramatically cut the volume of fresh water flushing through the lagoon.

In November 1953, a fire damaged much of the park, including the fun house, dance pavilion, and the front portion of the roller coaster.

1954 – An ambitious rebuilding effort allows the park to re-open on time with several new rides such as the Rock-O-Plane, Octopus, Spook House and Tilt-A-Whirl.

In 1956, Mother Gooseland, Lagoon's first themed area, was opened between the Midway and the swimming pool.

1957 – A brand new Fun House is completed a few years after the first one burned down.

1958 – Lagoon management begins leasing the old Rainbow Randevu ballroom in Salt Lake City.

1959 – A miniature Showboat begins taking guests around Lagoon Lake.

1960 – Following the popularity of Disneyland’s Autopia, Lagoon opens their own sprawling automobile ride called Speedway.

1962 – Golf-Fun, a professionally-designed miniature golf course opens.

The first Wild Mouse ride came in 1965.

There's a least one band missing from the list of performers; The Who (as a warmup band for Herman's Hermits, along with the Blues Magoos) in July, 1967.

The turn-of-the-century-style Opera House Square opened in 1968 and showcased melodramas, musicals, and silent movies.

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area, formed in 1972, acquired most of the open land surrounding the community of Stinson Beach.

1974 – An additional dark ride, Dracula’s Castle, opens in part of the old Patio Gardens building and the Sky Ride is added.

1975 – Log Flume and Wild Kingdom Train open at Lagoon after being salvaged from the unsuccessful Pixieland Park in Oregon.

1976 – Pioneer Village opens in its new home on the east side of Lagoon.

1977 – Two new bumper car rides, Boomerang and the smaller Scamper, are introduced.

1979 – Tri-Star opens next to Jet Star 2.

1982 – UFO opens for one season.

Colossus the Fire Dragon arrived in 1983, giving riders a firsthand physics lesson with wild, 65-foot inversions.

The City of Carlsbad annexed Batiquitos Lagoon in 1984.

1985 – Mother Gooseland becomes Kiddie Land and the old Kiddie Coaster is replaced by Puff, The Little Fire Dragon.

1986 – Relocation of the Davis County Fair allows further expansion of the Midway.

1987 – Lagoon celebrates 100 years and adds two rides – Turn Of The Century and Centennial Screamer.

1989 – Lagoon-A-Beach opens as a replacement for the Swimming Pool.

In 1990, the EIR and EIS were complete for the project.

1991 – Sky Scraper opens and becomes the park’s first ride to surpass 100 feet in height.

Disclaimer: Information on this site was converted from a hard cover book published by University of Utah Press in 1994.

1995 – Sky Coaster opens as an up-charge attraction.

1996 – A second up-charge attraction, Top Eliminator Dragsters, opens in August.

Since 1997, the National Park Service Coho Salmon and Steelhead Trout Restoration Program staff has been actively monitoring fish populations along 12 kilometers of mainstem Pine Gulch Creek.

1999 – The Rocket opens, pushing Lagoon’s skyline just over 200 feet.

2003 – The Spider opens on another section of land once occupied by Speedway, Sr.

While the community of Stinson Beach remains small (fewer than 1,000 residents) and seasonal occupancy remains a typical community feature, full-time residential use is increasing (Stetson 2006 8).

The ever-growing list of thrill rides got a major addition in 2007 with the installation of Wicked.

2012 – Air Race fills the long-vacant space east of Jet Star 2.

AnonymousNovember 6, 2013 at 9:16 PMWonderful history.

AliApril 25, 2016 at 8:56 AMMy Grandfather, William Oakden, built the unique picnic pavilions mangy years, ago.

2017 – Flying Tigers and Ruka Safari are added to Kiddieland and Terroride receives a massive overhaul in time for its 50th anniversary.

2019 – Lagoon opens the Biergarten, featuring the first indoor non-franchise restaurant since the old Gaslight Restaurant in Opera House Square.

2020 – The COVID-19 pandemic delays the park’s opening for nearly two months, but Lagoon opens in time for Memorial Day weekend with some restrictions.