Location: Oakwood Park, MI - Kalamazoo

Oakwood Park opened under the name Oakwood Amusement Park in 1893. It was located at the east end of Woods Lake, three miles southwest of downtown Kalamazoo.  It became Oakwood Park in 1907 after Michigan United Railways (MUR) assumed ownership of the local traction company. The park featured a new dance hall, band stand, nickelodeon theater and a boat house. It also has a figure-eight roller coaster.

Image info: A postcard view of the interurban car arriving at Oakwood Park, near Kalamazoo about 1910.

Notes

Balloon ascensions and band concerts were frequent attractions, with specialty entertainment providing hours of summertime activity, usually for the mere cost of a trolley ride. The park was closed in 1925. [KPL]

Time Line

1893. Park opened by the Citizen Street Railway at Wood's Lake, southwest of Kalamazoo. [KPL]

1904. A theatre of sorts was established her, with vaudeville, light opera and burlesque. Also shown were films from a Thomas Edison Kinetoscope.

1907. Michigan United Railways assumes ownership of the local traction company and Casino Park was closed. They opened a larger, more modern and versatile park on the southwest shore of Woods Lake. Peak years were 1911-1915. [KPL]

1925. May 3. The park is closed due to declining patronage and following a 1924 balloon exhibition which resulted in the death of a performer. [KPL]