Remember the Gilded Age? This is Glen Island Park. It stands as a testament to an era of extravagant dreams. Once, this 105-acre island was not just a park. It was Starin’s Glen Island. This was “America’s pleasure grounds.” It was the first theme park in the country.
John H. Starin, a shipping magnate and former U.S. Congressman, bought Glen Island and four smaller islands in 1879. He transformed them into a summer resort. Imagine, each island showcased a different culture of the Western world. Piers and causeways connected them. Steamships ferried visitors from New York City.
Opened in 1881, Starin’s Glen Island drew thousands daily. A small fee bought passage to a world of delights. There were bathing pavilions. The Grand Cafe offered fine food and wines. Walkways burst with colorful flowers and bronze statues. A natural spring provided cool water.
Picture this: winding paths led to shaded groves. Musical entertainment filled the air. There was a camera obscura. An aviary displayed exotic birds. Greenhouses showcased rare plants. Stone castles evoked a sense of old-world charm. A Dutch mill and a Chinese pagoda added to the eclectic mix. A chain ferry carried visitors from the mainland.
Glen Island also boasted a nationally recognized Museum of Natural History. Mummies from 332 B.C. were displayed. Native American relics of the Stone Age were exhibited. The museum even housed the first fire engine used in New York State.
The island’s star attraction was a recreated German castle. It was modeled after a Rhine fortress. Inside, “Little Germany” welcomed guests to a beer garden. Waiters in Tyrolean dress served food and drinks. All attractions were free. Starin wanted to create a civilized escape from New York City’s grit.
Glen Island’s popularity fueled a building boom in New Rochelle. But the good times didn’t last. The General Slocum disaster in 1904 hurt the steamship business. Starin died in 1909 and the park closed.
In 1924, Westchester County bought Glen Island. The county joined the islands into one landmass. They built a bridge for better access. The Glen Island Casino rose on the foundation of the Grand Cafe. It became a famous nightspot during the Big Band Era. Ozzie Nelson, Glenn Miller and the Dorsey Brothers all played here.
Today, Glen Island Park offers picnic areas and boat launching. Cannons and castles remain from Starin’s resort. These castles once housed a beer garden. The bridge and seawall are eligible for the Register of Historic Places.
So, as you enjoy Glen Island Park, remember its vibrant past. It was a groundbreaking theme park. It was a playground for New Yorkers. It was a stage for legendary musicians. Glen Island Park continues to offer recreation for all.