Luna Park in Houston

that L do pig · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 1:58 pm Post subject: Luna Park in Houston

Okay so I saw on another thread that there was once a park in Houston called Luna Park. I did not know this. I researched it on the internet and did not really find anything other than the info on Lone Star Thrills.

Can anyone provide me a quick overview or history lesson?

adrian de santiago · Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 10:30 pm Post subject:

i once looked at book of houston's past along time ago like in the 1950's and they had a picture with downtown and the a couple of miles away was a wooden coaster similar (apeared to be smaller)to texas cyclone!!!!!

that L do pig · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 12:21 am Post subject:

That picture was posted here a while back which peaked my interest. I have not been able to find anything on the internet about it.

The Fierce Pancake · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 8:48 pm Post subject:

The 50's photograph was surely of the John Miller coaster at Playland.

that L do pig · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 9:11 pm Post subject:

Hmm I am refering to a picture that was of the heights/bufallo bayou area that was all trees with a wooden coaster rising above the treeline. No idea on the year, but it was a B&W photo.

The Fierce Pancake · Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 10:29 am Post subject:

Oh right, here's the pic with that thread.

http://www.sixflagshouston.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1154&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=luna&start=15

that L do pig · Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 1:27 pm Post subject:

Valenrandy · Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 1:02 am Post subject:

here is a better look at it!

http://www.valenrandy.earthcammobile.com/pics/2/392-31651.jpg

and a closer one!

http://www.valenrandy.earthcammobile.com/pics/2/392-31652.jpg
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Jus2PasTime · XLR-8 Rider Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Posts: 51

Checking out this picture I spoke to my dad he said something about the kiddie park being there first he was talking about the pony ride. Brought back his memories but he also said i should ask my aunt since she is older then the coaster came in. the old bus route use to drop off a block from the park.

DEK · Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 9:12 pm Post subject:

there is a houstonarchitecture.info site that has a forum on it ... there is a bit of info on Luna Park there:

http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/lofiversion/index.php/t3280.html

by poster Height2Bastrop:

Here is the information I now have about Luna Park. It was opened in June of 1924 on 36 acres of land. The parking lot was right along the bayou on a somewhat precipitous slope. It was stated that the park was on the south side of Buffalo Bayou at Houston Avenue, but that cannot be as that is the location of Sam Houston Park. I am sure they meant to say White Oak Bayou.

The roller coaster may have been called the Scenic Railway. Another of the most thrilling rides was the Mechanical Caterpillar, a ride still found in many traveling carnivals. The cars went around in a circle on an up and down track, and a canopy was extended over the cars to make it dark.

A big attraction at Luna was “Dr. Carver’s Diving Horses”. Another was a dancing facility that was somewhat unique. The floor itself was independent of the rest of the building and was mounted on springs. The top of the building was a dome.

Houston Archicture Info Forum is a really interesting site if you have the time to spend there ... lots and lots of info ...

DESK · Viper Rider Joined: 07 Jan 2006 Posts: 167

The Harris County Smokehouse at hwy 6 and 290 has a large picture of the wooden coaster from Luna park as well as the Texas Cyclone. It's just past the entrance to the restaurant on the right. Ride looks a lot like the Jusdge from Arlington to me.

that L do pig · Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 10:52 pm Post subject: Re: luna park pic

kdjackso · Serpent Rider Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Posts: 2

I decided to go ahead and try out this Harris County Smokehouse and have dinner and take a look at the photo of Luna Park (Venice Park as it was known then) back in 1923. Here's what may be the first panoramic photo ever done with a cell phone camera. I took 15 photographs with my camera and pieced them together with Photoshop to make this new photograph. Ok Ok, it's not perfect. Sue me. This will let you see what the park looked like up close from one side to the other.

http://www.lighthouseproductions.com/luna1923.jpg

ChrisTXHC

kdjackso · Serpent Rider Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Posts: 2