Wonderland Amusement Park, Early 1900s amusement park in Longfellow, Minneapolis, United States.
Wonderland Amusement Park was an entertainment venue stretching across roughly 20 acres where Lake Street met 31st Avenue in Minneapolis, offering rides and an unusual medical observation exhibit. The grounds featured a roller coaster, water-based rides, and a miniature railroad, giving visitors different ways to spend their time.
The park opened on May 27, 1905, reflecting Minneapolis's growing appetite for public entertainment in the early 1900s. It operated for seven seasons before closing in 1911 because of economic pressures and severe weather damage.
The park served families looking for both rides and education, as its Infant Incubator Institute let visitors watch premature babies receiving modern medical care. This unusual combination reflected the era's curiosity about mixing science with public entertainment.
The only remaining structure from the park is the former Infantorium building, now converted into apartments at the corner of 31st Avenue and 31st Street. Visitors can view this building from outside to get a sense of the architecture from that era.
A 120-foot (37 m) electric tower stood at the park's center, illuminated by thousands of lights that could be seen from about 5 miles (8 km) away across the city. This striking landmark made the park visible even to those who never entered its gates.
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