Ready to step back in time at Glen Island? This 105-acre park was once a premier summer resort. It drew countless visitors from New York City.
Glen Island sits on Long Island Sound in New Rochelle. It is owned by Westchester County. The Glen Island Harbour Club also shares the island. Once named the Glen Island Casino, it was a springboard for Big Band success in the 1930s.
Imagine steamships ferrying families to Glen Island. This happened back in 1881. John H. Starin, a former U.S. Congressman, transformed Glen Island. He bought it and four nearby islands in 1879. Starin then created “Starin’s Glen Island.” Some called it “the first theme park”.
Each island had a different international theme. Causeways and piers connected them all. Visitors enjoyed a bathing beach and a natural history museum. There was also a zoo with exotic animals. A German beer garden and a Chinese pagoda added to the charm.
Picture a German castle modeled after a Rhine fortress. Inside was “Little Germany”. Waiters in Tyrolean dress served food and beer. Glen Island Museum housed mummies from 332 B.C. There were Native American relics, and the first fire engine used in New York State.
Starin’s Glen Island became known as “one of the most beautiful spots in America”. It even predated Disneyland as a theme park. By 1882, half a million people visited. Within six years, that number exceeded one million. All attractions were free.
One tragic event marked the beginning of the end. It was the General Slocum disaster in 1904. This reduced steamship travel. Glen Island briefly reopened in 1910 but soon closed its doors permanently.
In 1923, Westchester County acquired Glen Island. The county then turned it into a public park. All five islands were joined by landfill. A bascule bridge was built for access.
The Glen Island Casino rose from the remains of the Grand Cafe. It became a famous nightspot. During Prohibition, it gained a reputation as a speakeasy. Ozzie Nelson and other big bands played here. These performances were broadcast nationwide.
Today, Glen Island Park still offers beauty and recreation. Remnants of the past remain. Cannons, sculptures, and castles remind us of Starin’s Resort. The bridge and castles are eligible for the Register of Historic Places.
So take a walk around Glen Island. Enjoy the waterfront views. Think about the thousands who once flocked here. Glen Island offers a unique blend of history and natural beauty. It is a treasure for all to enjoy.