Puzzle Description:

The old Elitch Theatre in Denver. Mary Elitch was one of the country's first successful business women. She founded Elitch Gardens in 1890. A year later her husband died. As a young widow, she managed the park with a theatre and ballroom and eventually an amusement park.

#1: Teresa K (fasstar) on Feb 26, 2009 [SPOILER]

The Elitch Theatre was the home of the country's first summer stock theater, bringing stage legends like Edward G. Robinson, Douglas Fairbanks (Sr. and Jr.z), Vincent Price, Gloria Swanson, Ginger Rogers, Grace Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Lana Turner.

The park property was not big enough to hold the needed expansion, so Elitch Gardens was moved to a different part of the city about 10 years ago. I think the Elitch Theatre building was moved to the new location and has been renovated and repaired over the past few years.

As a child I visited my grandparents in the summer. They lived in Denver; our of our favorite activities was taking a picnic supper to Eliches and seeing the outdoor stage entertainment. Also riding the rides. But for the best rides, the Lakeside Amusement Park was far better. It had an old fashioned wooden roller coaster. I believe it is torn down now. Thanks for creating this puzzle.

Thanks for a fun one.

Great puzzle!

Thanks, Adam and Steve. I have lots of good memories of Elitch Gardens. My high school boyfriend and I shared a kiss just inside the doors of this theatre one summer. Ahhh, like I said, lots of good memories.

I guess I got you longing for home, Teresa?
Hubby was working as a mime at the old Elitch Gardens the summer we were married. My #2 son worked at the "new" Elitch Gardens this year as a ride operator. I miss the original!
The theater building & carousel pavilion are still at the old site, & there is an agreement that they never be torn down.

Ga, Lakeside, with it's wooden coaster, is still in operation.

Yep, Dee, I think Elitch's was the best place to go - great rides, beautiful flowers everywhere, something cool happening at the theatre all the time, and on weekend evenings you could go to the Trocadero Ballroom and dance to the music of the big bands. Not just your typical amusement park. And the carousel was gorgeous.

I've been to both myself. I lived in Denver about 7 years ago and it was a fun weekend activty. Never worked there though.

Dee - thanks for the information. I've not been back to Denver in years and years - except for plane transfers. I'm glad the roller coaster is still there.

elitch's was one of our favorite jr. high school field trips. but i agree with #2 - lakeside had the best rides (wild chipmunk rules!). and they had a real old fashioned fun house - house of mirrors, barrel o' fun, all the cool stuff.

What wonderful memories!
https://historicelitchtheatre.org/

Thanks for the link, Kristen. It was such a cool place. (✬‿✬)

Fun and enlightening. Good work.

Thank you, BlackCat.

I used to love the old Elitch theater, but as I recall the seats were so close together my husband was sitting with his knees in his chest. Maybe it was just the balcony that was like that.

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