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History Blog

Kingston Point Park Merry-Go-Round

3/31/2020

5 Comments

 
On Tuesdays the Hudson River Maritime Museum will share interesting images from its collection. We hope you enjoy these brief forays into the past!
Picture
The merry-go-round at Kingston Point Park, from a postcard circa 1906. A ferris wheel was the other amusement ride at the park. Mostly people strolled around, ate picnic lunches at tables scattered throughout the park, and listened to the band playing in their bandstand in the lagoon. Hudson River Maritime Museum Collection
Kingston Point Park was built as a steamboat landing, amusement park, and gardens in the 1890s. Featuring a trolley station and Ulster & Delaware Railroad Station nearby, Kingston Point Park served as a central hub for tourists and travelers to come to Kingston in the early 20th century. 

For decades the Hudson River Day Line had docked primarily at Rhinecliff, and visitors to Kingston had to use the ferry to cross the river. But Samuel Coykendall, president of the Thomas Cornell Steamboat Company, saw the potential of Kingston Point. Coykendall was also involved in the Ulster & Delaware Railroad, and many passengers were coming to Kingston to go to the Catksill Mountain Houses, so taking the railroad to their final destination was obvious. 

Opened in 1896, the landing was soon populated with a hotel, amusement park rides (like the above merry-go-round carousel), boat rentals, bandstand, and more. But by 1928, nothing was left. The short-lived landing has left hundreds of postcards and photographs evoking the romance of the heyday of steamboat tourism in the Hudson River Valley.

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5 Comments
Bill Ewen
3/31/2020 12:23:52 pm

I do enjoy these little histories. One thing I question regarding this piece about Kingston Point Park: “by 1928 nothing was left”? The Day Line used the landing until 1948, the last year of service beyond Poughkeepsie.

Reply
David Longendyke
4/1/2020 01:43:56 pm

I'm told that the round dance floor At the old Capri Restaurant, Rt. 9W Port Ewen,N.Y. was made from the floor of the old Merry-Go-Round that was at Kingston point park...

Reply
Chester T Hartwell
10/18/2020 07:44:42 pm

The park opened in 1898, not 1896.
Closed 1924.

It was as you say built as a transportation hub to attract more railroad passengers to the hotels.
Saugerties and Catskill were also jumping off points.

Reply
Chester Hartwell link
9/24/2021 12:51:38 pm

Where did the merry go round go ?

Reply
Chester Hartwell
5/17/2023 02:04:11 am

Interesting the article states that KPP opened in 1896.

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  • Visit
    • About
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Guided Tours
    • Events Calendar
    • Rondout Lighthouse
    • Docking
    • Visiting Vessels
  • Learn
    • Lecture Series
    • Youth Programs
    • School Programs
    • Exhibits on View >
      • Working Waterfronts
      • New Age of Sail
      • Warning Signs
      • Mary Powell
      • Rescuing the River
    • Online Exhibits
    • Speaking Engagements
  • Solaris Cruises
    • Cruise Schedule
    • Meet Our Boat
    • Book A Charter
  • Wooden Boat School
    • Boat School
    • Youth Classes
    • Adult Classes
    • Boat Building Classes
    • Boats For Sale
  • Sailing
    • Sailing School
    • Adult Sailing
    • Youth Sailing
    • Riverport Women's Sailing Conference
    • Sea Scouts
  • Join & Support
    • Donate
    • Membership
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    • Ways to Give
    • Our Supporters
  • Online Store