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Palisades Amusement Park – Vintage 1937 Poster

Beautiful digital restoration of a 1937 advertisement poster for Palisades Amusement Park in NJ. The Park was a thirty-acre amusement park located in Bergen County, New Jersey, across the Hudson River from New York City. It was located atop the New Jersey Palisades lying partly in Cliffside Park and partly in Fort Lee. The park operated from 1898 until 1971, remaining one of the most visited amusement parks in the country until the end of its existence. After the park closed in 1971, a high-rise luxury apartment complex was built on its site.

In 1898, a New Jersey picnic grove became the catalyst for one of the greatest amusement parks of the century. What would later be known as Palisades Amusement Park, started out as an attraction for the local trolley company, designed to increase weekend ridership. It grew to be one of the world’s most famous fun centers, achieving national prominence through the Freddy Cannon song, “Palisades Park”.

By 1908, the scenic picnic spot with views of New York City added a carousel, several rides, and a western show. In 1910, the property was sold to the Schenck Brothers. With a background in motion pictures, the brothers knew how to amaze and entertain. They built the park up to rival Coney Island.

In 1913, the Schenck brothers built the world’s largest outdoor salt water pool in the Park.  The 400′ x 600′ pool was filled by pumping salt water from the Hudson River, 200′ below. It featured a waterfall and specially built pontoons for making waves.

By the mid-1960s, the park had become one of the most popular amusement attractions in the United States. Local neighborhoods were not equipped to handle the immense amount of tourism and traffic. The area was rezoned for high-rise development. Sadly the owners eventually decided to sell the park. It officially closed on September 12, 1971. Today in its spot now stands several high-rise condominium complexes. Including the Winston Towers where a historical plaque now commemorates the park.