Comments on: Idlewood Amusement Park

By: Paul Hammond

Paul Hammond — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 05:12:39 +0000

I bet this was full of private vendors doing business in a public park. Sounds like a Byrd Park tradition.

By: F.T. Rea

F.T. Rea — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 05:03:04 +0000

The beginning of movie theaters: There are records of an exhibition of “moving pictures” presented at The Academy at 103-05 N. 8th St. in 1897. In 1906 the Idlewood Amusement Park began offering regular screenings of “photo dramas.”

By: John Young

John Young — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 01:00:14 +0000

Yes, Idlewood Amusement Park was just east of what was then called Reservoir Park but now is called Byrd Park. The Library of Virginia has a map of Richmond c. 1907 that shows this. Idlewood opened in May 1906, under the management of Jake Wells and several associates, including Andrew Pizzini, Jr. I discuss this in a book I am writing.

By: Byrd Park » Old newspapers are fun - Richmond, Virginia

Byrd Park » Old newspapers are fun - Richmond, Virginia — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 22:28:16 +0000

[...] Park, later to be named Idlewood Amusement Park and written about in the Times-Dispatch in 1907 (see previous post) but nothing about the development of our neighborhood, which would seem to have been [...]

By: Sean Stilwell

Sean Stilwell — Sun, 17 May 2009 21:23:59 +0000

there was a casino, merry go rounds, i think a wooden rollercoaster too? i’ve got a bunch of old Richmond books, and between all of them, i still can’t find a whole puzzle. I think the book Rails In Richmond had a pretty elaborate piece because of its connection to the early trolley system. I’ll have to check when i get home

By: Tim V.

Tim V. — Wed, 06 May 2009 03:03:43 +0000

Anne: Did you dig up anything? The second picture appears to show a merry-go-round. Pretty elaborate!

By: Anne

Anne — Sat, 02 May 2009 23:24:39 +0000

One of the local history books has a section on it but I forget which one…I am sensing a good excuse to go to a bookstore tonight.

By: Brandon

Brandon — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:30:14 +0000

Perhaps the Virginia Historical Society will have some records on the park. I haven’t been in awhile but I’d be happy to do a quick search next time I’m in there.