Show World (June 1907)

THE SHOW WORLD FAMOUS WHITE June 29, 1907. CITY IN FULL SWING W HITE CITY is one of Chicago’s most beautiful South Side amusement parks and stands among the first and greatest of its kind. The third season opened at White City' May 10, and although the weather was frigid, the board walks were crowded and thousands were present. White City stands pre-emi- • nent in the matter of illumination and it is admitted it is the most beautiful¬ ly lighted park in the world. Millions of candlepower are utilized nightly and the entire resort from the tip of the great tower to the outermost con¬ fines is one blaze of white light illum- Beautiful South Side Resort, Offers Superior Features to Visit¬ ors—Sans Souci and other Amusements Attract Vast Multitudes to their Gates, BY A STAFF WRITER nomenal. The attractiveness of the Robert E. Lee. A scene on the Missis- park is not confined to any one por- sippi river is shown with a steamer tion for there is enjoyment and pleas- coming up to the docks where the ure in every nook and cranny of the boiler explodes setting fire to the boat big resort. The great plaza with its and adjoining buildings. The new ex¬ hippodrome stages, offers as free en- hibition is much more realistic than tertainment the finest acts that can the old and attracts crowds at every be secured. Surrounding the plaze is performance. r band shell during the months a ” e sea- come. Brooke’s Band opened the son with a three weeks’ engagcrae® and proved as popular as ever. Frank T. Alberts the new manager of exploi¬ tation, has been the busiest man f the South Side since the late winter months and so well has he accom¬ plished his duties that the name ani attractions of White City are to be seen on every hand. Sans Souci Enjoyable. Chicago’s pioneer amusement park, Sans Souci, threw its doors open to the public on May 25 and as usual t$s management had a number ties ready for its patrons. INTERESTING VIEWS OF CHICAGO’S WORLD FAMED RESORT, WHITE CITY. inating not only the park but the skies for a vast distance. Make Park of Cornfield. The handsome catalogue which Di¬ rector of Exploitation Alberts has is¬ sued for White City, states that the big park was transformed from a corn field to its present state within a few months, and this is literally true. In September, 1904, the present site was covered with golden grain, when the three men who brought White City into existence took hold. These three men, Joseph Beifeld, president of the park, Aaron J. Jones, secretary and treasurer, and Paul D. Howse, general manager, undertook the seemingly im¬ possible task of building a monumen¬ tal and magnificent park on this field and were so successful that the fol¬ lowing spring White City, complete in every detail, was thrown open to the public. Since then its success has been phe- the famous Board Walk, which is bor¬ dered by half a hundred attractions of every sort, ranging from the big fire spectacle, employing hundreds of people, and car loads of scenery, to the Flea Circus which, while micro¬ scopic, is still far from the least inter¬ esting feature of the park. One of the 1907 novelties which is attracting more than the usual share of attention is the Devil’s Gorge, a new water ride which is one of the most exciting ever devised and com¬ bines a score of sensations in its mazes. The Coaster, which gives a smooth, exhilarating ride' of about a quarter of a mile and runs directly through the Igorrote Village, is also a safe and popular device which is de¬ lighting White City patrons. The Fire Show which has always been the prime feature of the park has been elaborated upon this year and is now termed The Burning of the A Flea Circus in which these infini¬ tesimal animals laboriously perform strange feats is another unique feature of the big park. Mundy’s Animal Arena has been introduced this year and consists of Percy J. Mundy’s big collection of wild animals and their trainers in novel and exciting feats. New Casino a Feature. Another change of considerable im¬ portance is the abolishment of the College Inn and the establishment in its stead of a great Casino which is beautifully decorated and is so ar¬ ranged as to be thrown open in warm weather or completely enclosed in case of rain or cold. There are dozens of other features at White City, which will be described in a subsequent is¬ sue of THE SHOW WORLD. The musical portion of the enter¬ tainment at the park has been well cared for and the best traveling organ¬ izations in the country will occupy the Leonard H. Wolf has deviated this year from his usual policy in regard to the music and he will play a nun ber of the best traveling bands m stead of retaining one organization® summer as he formerly did. The Ca¬ sino formerly utilized as a theater, has been remodeled into a concert It ditorium and bandshell and has;: a capacity of 3,000 persons. The resta£- ant also has been greatly improved and fitted up with Oriental boxes giv¬ ing it bizarre effect pleasing to the eye. A new Roller Skating Rh* covering 25,000 square feet with ample accommodation for 1,500 skaters, ® been installed and is said to be the finest in Chicago. Other new features are Shooting The Rapids, a new pla¬ ter ride, House of Nuisance, Midget Circus and Hereafter. The dance® vilion has been enlarged and in every way Sans Souci is blossoming forth® new garb.