Crescent Park

1886-1979


The "Coney Island of New England" originated in 1886 under
the foresight of Charles Boyden.  The shores of Riverside
(then called Wannamoisett) were becoming dotted with summer
cottages, bath houses, and a grand hotel.

Boyden opened the Crescent Park Resort in 1886 around the
400-foot Bullocks Point Dock.  Boyden wanted to get people
off the beaches, so he contacted the famous wood carver
Charles I.D. Looff.  Looff was commissioned to build a
Carousel that would come to be the cornerstone of the park.

In 1901 the Hope Land Company purchased the park.  Under
the leadership of Fred Dexter, the majestic "New England
Association of Arts and Crafts Hall" was built in 1902.
During this timeframe Looff added rides such as the "Flying
Toboggan" and the "Rivers of Venice".

Dexter died in 1906 and Hope Land Company appointed R.A.
Harrington to run the park.  The park was bustling with
patrons that were brought from trolleys and steamships
from all over New England and New York. In 1914, the son
of Charles I.D. Looff (Charles Looff) built the new
"Shore Dinner Hall".

In 1920, Charles Looff took ownership of the park.  The
younger Looff began expansion of the Amusement Park, by
adding a roller rink and the "Alhambra Ballroom".  Looff
died in 1925.  Beacon Manufacturing assumed ownership,
but had moved their operations south.  John Clare was
appointed manager of the park.  The park remained under
this structure for over two decades.

During this time, Dominic Spadola was building many of the
enchanting rides of this New England treasure.  Rides such
as the "Tumble Bug" and others were crafted by Mr. Spadola.

Crescent Park hit hard times in the war years (1941-45).
Attendence was way down and materials were scarce.  In 1951,
the park was purchased by the Crescent Park Realty Company.
Management reponsibility of the park now belonged to Arthur
Simmons and Fred McCusker.

Simmons and McCusker revived the park by updating many of
the attractions that were decaying from the lack of attention
during the previous decade.  One of the managers of the Park,
Ed Serowik, told us in a recent film about the park, "Wood
from the old roller coaster was used to build the River-Boat
ride."  A lot of maintenance was needed to get the park back
to a beautiful family oriented amusement park.

The Park flourished again in the 1950s and into the 1960s.
The "Kiddie Land" was spruced up to attract the families back
to the park.  In 1966 the park was sold to Melvin T. Berry.
On the night of September 2, 1969, the Alhambra Ballroom fell
victim to a horrible fire.  Soon after, the park tried to woo
the thrill seekers by adding the menancing ride: "The Turbo".

Changing tastes, lack of care, finanical problems, and 
pollution all contributed to the death of our beloved
CRESCENT PARK in 1979.  A large auction was held in March
of 1979.  The Carousel was doomed to be torn down with the 
rest of the park, but for the valiant efforts of local
residents:

Gail Durfee 
Jobel (Tracy) Aguiar 
Richard Lund 
Linda McEntee 
Robin Peacock 

The Crescent Park Carousel Commission still operates the 105
year old MASTERPIECE of Charles I.D. Looff.  Take a ride back
to Riverside sometime.  As soon as you hear the music and
smell the popcorn, you will be transported back to a kinder,
gentler time...


A Letter from one of the Carousel Saviors

Thank you for such a fun site! It sure brings back memories.
I had actually forgotten about some of the rides you mention.
I started going to the Park when I was very little, but I
fell in love with the Merry Go Round (as well as my first
boyfriend, Frankie, who worked there) in 1957. At that time
the crew was Frankie St. Martin, Freddie McCusker, Tommy
Phillips, Dave Bayha, Tommy Healy, and the ride operator, 
'Little' Joe Kdan.

My love of the ride was rekindled when I found out it was in
danger of being dismantled and sold piece meal by the City
of East Providence in 1977. I belonged to a very active
citizen's group at the time, The Riverside Action Committee,
Inc., and when Gail Durfee contacted us, Richard Lund and I
helped her form the Save Our Carousel Committee.  Our first
lawyer was Martin Stutchfield, who was forced to drop our
case when his law firm realized exactly who we were fighting.
That was politics at its worst. Sister Arlene Violet took up
the fight and brought us to victory. It took over 20 years,
but we ended up getting more than we originally asked for.

Much thanks to the other four plaintiffs...Gail Durfee, Linda
McIntee, Robin Peacock, and Richard Lund for sticking it out,
even when we were sued for over $85,000,000 by the city of
East Providence. There were many other people who were very
important to our victory. Too numerous to mention here, but
I would like to mention Rose Larissa and Eddie Doyle. We
couldn't have gotten off the ground without them.  Thank you
again for a wonderful site.
                           -Jobelle (Tracy) Aguiar


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