Palace Amusements

Palace Amusements was a historical indoor amusement park in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Built in 1888, and expanded several times over its history, the 100-year-old structure saw the good and bad of the storied Asbury Park boardwalk, withstood multiple nor'easters and hurricanes and both the Great Depression and World War II. After a worsening economic situation in both Asbury and the country in the mid-1980s, the park had to close its doors for good in 1988.

Palace Amusements
Palace Amusements in 1997
LocationAsbury Park, NJ
ThemeIndoor amusement park
OwnerErnest Schnitzler (1888–1920)
August Williams (1920–1939)
Edward Lange & Zimel Resnick (1939–1986)
Sam & Henry Vaccaro (1986–1988)
OpenedAugust 17, 1888 (1888-08-17)
ClosedNovember 27, 1988 (1988-11-27)
Previous namesPalace Merry-Go-Round
Area0.9 acres (0.36 ha)
Attractions
Total12
Roller coasters1
Water rides1
StatusClosed/Demolished
LocationAsbury Park, New Jersey
Coordinates40°13′4″N 74°0′12.76″W
BuiltJune 1888 (1888-06)
Built byErnest Schnitzler
ArchitectErnest Schnitzler
William B. Stout
Architectural styleLate Victorian
DemolishedMay 26, 2004 (2004-05-26)
NRHP reference No.00001406[1]
NJRHP No.3705[2]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPNovember 22, 2000 (2000-11-22)
Designated NJRHPOctober 12, 2000 (2000-10-12)

Several efforts were made to save the historic structure, including its hand-carved carousel and infamous murals and decorations, but in 2004, after an independent structural inspection, the building was deemed unsafe (and already damaged in several areas) and was ordered demolished. A local grassroots organization was able to save several pieces from the building, including the famed Tillie mural.

The Palace is mentioned in 1974 Bruce Springsteen hit "Born to Run" in the lines "Beyond the palace, hemi-powered drones / Scream down the boulevard"[3].

See also

References
  1. "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form" (PDF). National Park Service. Department of the Interior. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  2. "Palace Amusements Building (ID#3705)" (PDF). New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places - Monmouth County. NJ DEP Historic Preservation Office. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  3. https://genius.com/2115435

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