It had two railroads within the park property, including the 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge Huff 'n' Puff Railroad and a separate 16 in (406 mm) miniature railway railroad made by the Allan Herschell Company. Lake residents are alarmed and seek legal advice. Memphis Paintball Park . The city of Lakeland approves rezoning the amusement park land to residential for a private gated subdivision. This gives new meaning to "build it and they will come." A total of over $1,500,000 of stock has been sold to 1800 stockholders, funding a seemingly infinite stream of additions and improvements. LDC reports its first profit after depreciation of $11,316 for 1965. In a letter to Lakeland Fun and Recreation Club members Garner offers to sell reacquired shares of LDC for $4.25/share, indicating a 29% decline in the stock's value. An 8,000 sq ft clubhouse, swimming pool, 2 tennis courts, basketball court, fitness room, putting green, aerobic room, meeting rooms, restaurant/bar, and billiard room. Announcer’s shirt belonging to Jimmy Deese. Memphis Jellystone Park Horn Lake, MS. "We'll admit our facilities are rather crude, but you can have fun while we build the showplace.". Garner Lake is the largest lake in Shelby County, TN. Refilling the lake would take as much as five years. Lakeland Amusement Park operates for what is unknowingly its finale. Nijo Castle.. Sky Ride. "The attractions that will continue to operate will be used mainly to attract people who want to buy lots to build homes in the area.". A dam was raised to retain runoff and spring water from Scotts Creek and artesian wells helped fill the lake and maintain it in drier summer months. A vacant building in the now unused amusement park will house the new town hall. Twelve rides and a variety of food stands and concessions combine with the skyride and the Roberta E Lee paddle-wheeler to entertain visitors. Promised park activities include "golfing, swimming, skating, bowling, riding (horses, buggies, surreys, antique cars, etc. It was structured under the nonprofit 501(c)4 US tax code. Construction of the lake begins with 11 bulldozers scraping dirt to form a 1/2-mile-long, 62-foot-high dam. $3,070,540 in notes and mortgages due within twelve months and banks are tightening lending due to the S&L crisis. A total of 800 acres have been acquired from 24 individual property owners. Lakeland Amusement Park In Lakeland Tn Garner Lake Sky Ride Somerset At Lakeland Apartments Arlington Tn Apartments Com Lakeland Tennessee Wikipedia 9155 Memphis Arlington Lakeland Tn 38002 Mls 10007309 Estately Bald Eagle Filmed Hunting In Lakeland 10427 Mt Mckenzie Rd Lakeland Tn 38002 Mls 10061558 Redfin 10207 Oak Levee Lakeland Tn Mls 10015408 3136 Woodmeade Ln Lakeland Tn … The Highway Department acquires the right-of-way to build the planned I-40. Real estate attorney and investor Terry Edwards buys Windward Slopes subdivision from LDC. He still breaks it out when he attends the Super Chevy shows at Memphis Motorsports Park. Garner submits plans for "a modern mobile home park" south of I-40—Canada Trace Mobile Home Park. Additions, corrections, and historical images are much appreciated. "Rising interest rates slowed real estate sales. Belz Mall was built in 1979 and City Hall in 1981. ", LDC begins construction of Club Windward, "the club that has it all—except golf." The agreement calls for LDC to get 25% of the ride income. A swimming pool, the paddle-wheeler, the skyride, a golf range, and horse and pony rides are expected shortly. Multi-millions of lots can be developed and sold.". Garner says "1500 more lots are available.". Lakeland Amusement Park formally opens and now includes a 40 ft wide, paved, carnival-style midway along a cove of the lake. Lakeland Amusement Park never met his hope of turning a profit and creating returns for investors and stockholders. Favorite Add to Trip. Shortly thereafter Garner mortgages 44 acres of this property to his East Shores neighbor, and 14 months later voluntarily forfeits it. A promotional poster shows the skyride meeting a "majestic tower" with an "elevair" to a restaurant on top. Garner sells the lake to Terry Edwards for $236,000. ", 1989 Stockholders Annual Report shows $180,925 loss. "8,000 people" attend. Louis Garner built his home, one of the first in East Shores subdivision, on the site of the amusement park. May 19, 2018 - Lakeland Amusement Park in Lakeland, TN entertained Mid-Southerners 1961-1977. Shopping and Dining. Libertyland opened, as it should have, on July 4th, 1976, in Memphis, Tennessee. The Pepsi Dance Pavilion opens with an almost nightly schedule of renowned big bands, some costing $10,000 a week. The first 18" Artesian well begins pumping water into the lake. The amusement park didn't work out but he built a large and beautiful lake within the most populous (at the time) county in the state, created some of the most desireable homesites in the Mid-South, and founded a city. The lake was created from farmland in 1959 as the central feature of Lakeland Amusement Park which operated from 1961 to 1978; the lake was named after the park's creator/promoter, Louis Garner. The first city meeting was held in 1977. Maps of Garner Lake in Lakeland TN showing lake depts, subdivisions, cove names, and former locations of amusement park attractions ", LDC pays its first and only cash dividend. Cafe Lakeland becomes known for all-you-can-eat catfish. Free shipping for many products! Advertisements promote Lakeland's white sand beach and sparkling clear, clean water (1.2 million gallons/day flowing from the Artesian wells). Lakeland Development Corporation continues to develop and sell real estate (despite challenging interest rates of prime plus 3 (25%) on heavy debt). Price/share is $6. LDC's accumulated losses are now $1,516,332. The old amusement park operated at the Mid-South Fairgrounds. Favorite Add to Trip. Train robber, Rancid Butterball, is wounded by a Huff'n Puff passenger. Add Your Business. Location: Memphis, Tn ~ U.S.A. 2,104 posts, read 4,493,720 times Reputation: 1617. Opened on July 4, 1976, it was located at 940 Early Maxwell Blvd. Huff'n Puff Railroad begins service, traveling a circuit at the south end of the lake along I-40. There are also photos taken in the Lakeland pits. Among its attractions were a mile-long sky ride, purchased from the 1958 Brussels World Fair, traversing the length of the lake; a 75-passenger paddle-wheeler christened the Roberta E. Lee; 10 amusement rides including the Helicopter, the Paratrooper, the Mad Mouse, the Twister, a miniature train, bumper cars, a Ferris wheel, and a carousel; the Pepsi Pavilion, an outdoor bandstand/dance venue; a large ("largest in the county") swimming pool; trampoline pits; and an assortment of swings, picnic tables, and slides. LDC leases it to 5 local race enthusiasts. 4/10/60. The picture shows Stan with a buddy, Charles Goebel, and his mother, Maggie Tribble, posing for the photographer (most likely Stan’s father) in … Ads dominated the radio waves, there were dances or battle-of-the-bands almost every weekend, the large pool was full on summer days, and the park itself was a popular and fun gathering place. Contact Parks and Recreation by visiting our Staff Directory. Real estate sold only 2 lots and cafe profits "were the lowest in history." Lakeland Amusement Park takes in its first amusement revenue from a Little "T" Model car ride and "1-mile" train ride during its "informal, informal, informal opening." Lakeland was incorporated by Louis Garner, and consisted of approximately 600 residents. Today, it's the centerpiece for the city of Lakeland and residents who flock to live there. Money is raised and officers are recruited for the Turf Club and Lakeland Jockey Club. Today. Many thanks to Walt Drissel, Dave Brown, Nancy Harrell, Terre Hensley Cook, Steph Lefler, Susie Richardson, Gail Moore Howell & her mom,  Warren & Judy Horton, University of Memphis Special Collections, and Memphis Public Library for providing pictures, documents, memories, and research. It closed due to financial reasons in 2005. Garner launches a campaign to legalize horse racing in Tennessee and offers facilities at Lakeland for the first track. Firemen execute dangerous rescues with ladders, boats, and ropes, retrieving the last tired and cold riders after midnight. "Beautiful Homesites" also available. Travel. A few remnants of its history remain including the base of the sky ride terminal and railroad tracks in the woods at the south end. Total cost to the new lake owner: ~$100,000. 7.7. Garner sells his house in East Shores subdivision and moves to Punta Gorda, FL. Discover (and save!) Don't see the business you're looking for? LDC says it is "land poor" and auctions 266 acres north of the lake at Memphis-Arlington and Seed Tick Rd (purchased in 1977) to raise money for operations. Major Theme Parks in Memphis, TN - plus lots of other great things to do with kids ... 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