Lotus Isle, Amusement park in Portland, Oregon
Lotus Isle was an amusement park located east of Jantzen Beach that featured more than 40 rides and attractions spread across a large area. The park offered a ballroom venue where visitors could enjoy music and dancing alongside the typical amusement park experience.
The park opened in 1930 and initially attracted large crowds before encountering financial hardship. It ceased operations after a short period marked by several unfortunate incidents that hastened its closure.
The entrance displayed a 100-foot neon Eiffel Tower sign, while the Peacock Ballroom hosted dance events accommodating up to 6,600 dancers simultaneously.
The location had parking areas and picnic spaces designed to handle large visitor numbers. Guests could explore the entire grounds in a day, though they should prepare for varying seasonal conditions typical of Oregon weather.
An elephant named Tusko lived at the park and caused significant damage to several buildings after being frightened by a low-flying aircraft. This incident became one of the strangest episodes in the park's short history.
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