Palace Amusements

Palace Amusements was a historical indoor amusement park in Asbury Park, New Jersey. It was built in 1888 and expanded several times over its history; but after a worsening economic situation in both Asbury and the country in the mid-1980s, it went out of business in 1988.

Palace Amusements
Previously known as Palace Merry-Go-Round
Palace Amusements in 1997
LocationAsbury Park, NJ
StatusDefunct
OpenedAugust 17, 1888 (1888-08-17)
ClosedNovember 27, 1988 (1988-11-27)
OwnerErnest Schnitzler (1888–1920)
August Williams (1920–1939)
Edward Lange & Zimel Resnick (1939–1986)
Sam & Henry Vaccaro (1986–1988)
ThemeIndoor amusement park
Area0.9 acres (0.36 ha)
Attractions
Total12
Roller coasters1
Water rides1
Palace Amusements is located in Monmouth County, New Jersey
Palace Amusements
LocationAsbury Park, New Jersey
Coordinates40°13′4″N 74°0′12.76″W
BuiltJune 1888 (1888-06)
Built byErnest Schnitzler
ArchitectErnest Schnitzler
William B. Stout
Architectural styleLate Victorian
DemolishedMay 26, 2004 (2004-05-26)
NRHP reference No.00001406[1]
NJRHP No.3705[2]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPNovember 22, 2000 (2000-11-22)
Designated NJRHPOctober 12, 2000 (2000-10-12)

Several efforts were made to save the structure, including its hand-carved carousel, murals and decorations, but in 2004, after an independent structural inspection, the building was deemed unsafe (it had already been damaged in several areas) and was ordered demolished. A local grassroots organization was able to save several pieces from the building, including the famed Tillie mural.[3][4]

Bruce Springsteen

The Palace is mentioned in 1974 Bruce Springsteen hit "Born to Run" in the lines "Beyond the Palace, hemi-powered drones / Scream down the boulevard".[5][6]

See also

References
  1. "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form" (PDF). National Park Service. Department of the Interior. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  2. "Palace Amusements Building (ID#3705)" (PDF). New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places - Monmouth County. NJ DEP Historic Preservation Office. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 6, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  3. Karen DeMasters (April 2, 2004). "Asbury Park Building Will Vanish, but Its Grin Will Remain". The New York Times. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  4. "Weird NJ remembers forgotten faces of Palace Amusements, Asbury Park". Asbury Park Press. March 9, 2014.
  5. "'Springsteen' Park Said Historic". Associated Press. October 19, 2000. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  6. Jordan, Chris. "Palace Amusements and Tillie rise from the grave". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved February 26, 2021.

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