From Ice Slide to Roller Coaster

16th Century Russian Ice Slides. Public Domain

by Anita Mae Draper

While researching for my posts on sledding, toboggan runs and playground slides, I discovered the fascinating world of Russian ice slides. Not for the faint-of-heart, these slides were built at a 50 degree angle which enabled people to reach speeds of 50 miles an hour from a height starting at 60-80 feet. It was all the more thrilling because they sat on a block of ice set on a wooden sleigh, with only a slip of burlap to warm their bottom and no way to steer their downward slide.

Although the ramps were first built in one direction, smart craftsmen soon built the ramps facing each other so participants wouldn't waste time and energy running back to the start.

17th Century Russian Ice Slides. Public Domain

The thrill of the ice slide spread into France where cities were quick to create ice mountains which they called "roller coasters". One of the first rides was in 1817, when the Promenade Aeriennes, Jardin Baujon (Folie Beaujon Aerial Walks Roller Coaster) opened for business. Riders would start at the central tower and coast down either side on a curved track before ascending back up the central incline. Locked onto the track, the cars reached speeds of 40 mph. 

Promenade Aeriennes, Jardin Baujon, Paris, c 1820. Public Domain, wikimedia

This 1817 illustration from the French periodical, Le Bon Genre shows a close up of the base of the Promenades Aeriennes. 

"Promenades Aeriennes",1817 illustration from the French periodical Le Bon Genre. Public Domain

Compared to the safety features of today's roller coasters, the carts of early roller coasters were dangerous and often spilled their occupants if they weren't on guard, but the thrill and romance of the sport was too heady to keep people of all ages away. 

Early Roller Coaster. Public Domain, wikimedia

From my research, Russians of all stations were fascinated by sliding, including Catherine the Great (1729-1796) who had a giant ice slide built on the River Neva near the Winter Palace. In 1788, the artist, Benjamin Patersson (1748-1815) signed this watercolour of Catherine the Great being led across the frozen River Neva.

Catherine the Great Visiting the Ice Mountain, Neva River. Public Domain

In fact, Catherine's love of sliding was so great that she built a roller coaster at Katalnaya Gorka, also known as Sliding Hill, on the Oranienbaum estate among the series of royal palaces and pavilions. A pavilion resembling a wedding cake was built at the pinnacle of her sliding ice hill. In this pavilion, the court and principal nobility could take rest and refreshment after amusing themselves on the slides and tracks, regardless of the season.

Katalnaya Gorka Pavilion, Oranienbaum, Russia. Public Domain wikimedia

The slides, called the 'flying mountain' was dismantled in the mid-19th century after it fell into disrepair and was deemed too dangerous to leave standing. With an eye to beauty, the grounds were cleared and planted with fir trees, but leaving the impression of where the slides had once stood. 

Katalnaya Gorka Pavilion, Oranienbaum, Russia. Public Domain wikimedia

However, the pavilion has been preserved and today's visitors can tour the elaborate building and catch a glimpse of Catherine's world from the interior where they'll also find a scale model of what the switchback roller coaster looked like in its glory days. 

Katalnaya Gorka Pavilion, Oranienbaum, Russia. Public Domain wikimedia

If you had a chance to see Catherine II's ice mountain pavilion, would you be more interested in the decorated interior, or the scale model of the slide?

If you're interested in sliding sports, check out my post, Romance on a Toboggan.

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Anita Mae Draper's historical romances are written under the western skies of the Saskatchewan prairie where her love of research and genealogy yield fascinating truths that layer her stories with rich historical details.  Anita's short story, Here We Come A-Wassailing, was a finalist for the Word Guild's 2015 Word Awards. Her novellas are included in Austen in Austin Volume 1, The American Heiress Brides Collection, and The Secret Admirer Romance Collection. Readers can check out Anita's Pinterest boards for a visual idea of her stories to enrich their reading experience.  Discover more at:

Website - www.anitamaedraper.com, Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/anitamaedraper/

Bandstands with a Music Theme

Although music plays an important part in bandstand history, not all bandstands are music-themed, except in their common gazebo-type look. In today's post, we'll look at bandstands that visually pay tribute to their musical history. 

King Square & Band Stand, St. John, N.B., about 1911. Courtesy of http://collections.musee-mccord.qc.ca

The above postcard shows a unique 2-tier structure donated to the city of Saint John, New  Brunswick, by the Saint John Cornet Band in 1908. To honor the musical heritage of the bandstand, they also donated a real cornet which was placed at the apex of the roof. A half century later, a fountain was installed at ground level which added to its uniqueness. In 1986 however, the City Cornet Band dissolved after 139 years of activity and silence settled over the structure.

Skip forward to 2013 when two community members step forward with a gift of $100,000 to refurbish and revitalize the old bandstand. "King's Square is a key link to our past and a vital part of our future," the mayor said as his council passed a resolution to accept the donation. "The bandstand was a generous gift from the City Coronet Band and thanks to this generous gift, this icon of the city will once again be a source of entertainment and culture in the heart of our uptown." 

With the funds available, the renovations proceeded:

• The original cornet was donated to the New Brunswick Museum and a replica, manufactured by the original factory, took its place on the restored copper roof
• Installation of a new fountain and marble base
• Upgrading of electrical, lighting and ventilation
• Installation of a rolling ladder for second level access
• Painting, sandblasting and cleaning of all fittings, etc

King Edward VII Memorial Bandstand in King's Square, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, 2010. Creative Commons, Courtesy of Wikipedia

Today, the sound of splashing water from the fountain mingles with the music flowing from the top level of the elegant King Edward VII Memorial Bandstand, the only structure in Canada to honor this monarch.

One of the first bandstands to be built in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was set in Loring Park on land bought for a public park in 1883. With its growth, along with other city parks, it became a prominent place for musical, as well as theatrical performances. In 1897, Norwegian immigrants of Minnesota erected a statue to honor esteemed violinist and composer, Ole Bull, who had been the catalyst for many of them to leave their old country for a new one. For years, the statue was the gathering place for Norwegians celebrating their homeland's independence day, as well as a fit setting for fiddling contests. 

Ole Bull Monument and Bandstand, Loring Park, Minneapolis, Minn., 1902. Public Domain

Loring Park was very successful as the site of the dramatic performances and in 1911 offered a historical play that attracted an estimated 25,000 attendees for each performance over three nights. In 1951, with the popularity of mass singing competitions, Loring Park erected a new bandstand. As the competitions faded in popularity, concerts and movies continued to draw in the crowds. Although more recent photos of the area don't show anything except greenery behind the statue of Ole Bull, it still stands as a testament to the Norwegians who helped build Minnesota, as well as the state's appreciation for the arts. 

Tower Grove Park in Saint Louis, Missouri, is the site of several statues and pavilions, including the music stand, a large Victorian bandstand erected in the 19th century and representative of what you would find in a Victorian walking park. Officially registered on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), Tower Grove Park Music Stand was built in 1872 and is surrounded by pillars bearing the white marble busts of six famous musical composers.

Music Stand at Tower Grove Park, St. Louis, Mo., Public Domain

The Music Stand has been stabilized with guy wires for many years. It's original purpose was to give free concerts on Sunday afternoons, and it continues to this day by hosting ten Compton Heights Concert Band performances each summer. The Music Stand is also a favorite place for events, such as weddings, provided the rules concerning food, drink, and decorating materials are strictly observed in order to preserve its historic beauty.

Tower Grove Park Music Stand, St. Louis, Mo., Creative Commons

When the bandstand at Tower Grove Park was nominated for the NRHP in 1987 it listed its colors as brown, mustard, olive, and cream, with red finial brackets. As you can see from the current photo above, the bandstand has recently been repainted. This color may look good for wedding photographs, but I'm missing the original color scheme. 

What about you? 

Have you been to any of these parks which feature music-themed bandstands? Do you know of any others? Are you surprised by the amount of money it takes to restore an ironwork bandstand? Care to share your thoughts? 

Other posts in this historical bandstand series can be found:

- May 5, 2018 - Wooden Bandstands of By Gone Years

- June 5, 2018 - Scenic Bandstands with a Water View

- July 5, 2018 - Elaborate Bandstands for Special Events

- Aug 5, 2018 - From Bandstands to Bandshells

- Sep 5, 2018 - From Rooftop Bandstand to King's Hall

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Anita Mae Draper's historical romances are written under the western skies of the Saskatchewan prairie where her love of research and genealogy yield fascinating truths that layer her stories with rich historical details.  Anita's short story, Here We Come A-Wassailing, was a finalist for the Word Guild's 2015 Word Awards. Her novellas are included in Austen in Austin Volume 1, The American Heiress Brides Collection, and The Secret Admirer Romance Collection. Readers can check out Anita's Pinterest boards for a visual idea of her stories to enrich their reading experience.  Discover more at:

Website - www.anitamaedraper.com

Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/anitamaedraper/

From Bandstands to Bandshells

Armistice Day Celebrations, Waterloo, Ontario. Nov 11, 1918. Courtesy of Waterloo Public Library 

If you've been following my bandstand series, you'll recognize a traditional wooden bandstand, surrounded by vehicles, in the above photograph. It was taken in Waterloo, Ontario on November 11, 1918. If you were there at the time you would have heard shouts of victory and music blazing from the bandstand as the community came together to celebrate Armistice Day. The Great War was over and the boys were coming home. 

The bandstand had served its purpose on that exhilarating occasion, but sometime between then and 1920, it was moved to Waterloo Park where music continued to flow from its open walls, spilling out onto the lawns for all to hear. And what happens when a bandstand isn't big enough for its audience? You build a bandshell. 

Waterloo Park Bandshell, Waterloo, Ontario, ca 1920. Courtesy of Waterloo Public Library

In July 1920, the Seagram family donated a bandshell to Waterloo Park. It was the first bandshell built outside of Toronto and it meant bigger bands and louder music to reach more of Waterloo's appreciative public.  

Waterloo Park Bandshell, Waterloo, Ontario, ca 1920. Courtesy of Waterloo Public Library

Long benches were provided, although many sat on the ground or brought their own folding deckchairs. And then in 1969, the bandshell was replaced by a swimming pool. It sounds harsh, but it shows the changing needs of a growing community.

In the west, along with the elaborate parks we saw in Calgary, Alberta in my last post, the City of Calgary signed a special agreement with the Canadian Pacific Railroad which enabled the establishment of Central Park with a pavilion that featured a bandshell.

Central Park [Memorial Park], Calgary, Alberta, ca 1913. Courtesy of Glenbow Archives, Calgary, Alberta

Although Calgary's Central Memorial Park, as it is now known, is still there today with fountains, sculpture, monuments and a library, the bandshell is nowhere to be seen.

Over in the United Kingdom in 1924, a similar bandshell called the Central Bandstand, was built in the coastal community of Herne Bay, Kent, England. It was constructed of reinforced concrete with its pillars deep in the sand beside the roadway for maximum exposure with the tourist trade. 

In process of construction, Central Bandstand, Herne Bay, Kent, England, 1924. Courtesy of Wikipedia

It was also known as the New Bandstand to differentiate it between an older bandstand down the beach*, and was used for speeches as well as concerts.

The New Bandstand, Herne Bay, Kent, England, 1925. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Lady Edwina Mountbatten, wife of Lord Louis Mountbatten of Burma, speaking on behalf of the Red Cross at the Central Bandstand, Herne Bay, Kent, England; in 1939. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Today, you can still take in a concert at the Central Bandstand at Herne Bay, and maybe enjoy a dance or two.The Central Bandstand has enjoyed a refurbishment in recent years which enclosed all sides to create an open-air courtyard. In this next image, instead of looking at the bandstand stage, we're looking out from the stage, across the audience chairs, and toward the doors which lead to the road.

View from the Stage, The Central Bandstand, Herne Bay, Kent, England; 2013. Courtesy of Wikipedia

And if you're looking down from one of the buildings facing the bay, here's what you would see between the street and the beach...

View from Above, The Central Bandstand, Herne Bay, Kent, England; 2013. Courtesy of Wikipedia

Whether you call this a bandstand or bandshell, the music that flows into the air surrounding the structure reminds everyone of its historic presence. 

Care to share your thoughts on these large bandshells? If you've attended a concert at one, is the sound different than a smaller traditional bandstand? Are you aware of an American bandshell that is either still standing, or once stood?

My next post will feature the other famous Herne Bay bandstand on the same beach as this one, and perhaps a few surprises to show that bandstands don't need to be demolished with changing times. 


Other posts in this historical bandstand series can be found:
- May 5, 2018 - Wooden Bandstands of By Gone Years
- June 5, 2018 - Scenic Bandstands with a Water View
- July 5, 2018 - Elaborate Bandstands for Special Events

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Anita Mae Draper's historical romances are written under the western skies of the Saskatchewan prairie where her love of research and genealogy yield fascinating truths that layer her stories with rich historical details.  Anita's short story, Here We Come A-Wassailing, was a finalist for the Word Guild's 2015 Word Awards. Her novellas are included in Austen in Austin Volume 1, The American Heiress Brides Collection, and The Secret Admirer Romance Collection. Readers can check out Anita's Pinterest boards for a visual idea of her stories to enrich their reading experience.  Discover more at:

Website - www.anitamaedraper.com

Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/anitamaedraper/

Elaborate Bandstands for Special Events

Bandstand. Elevation rendering in color, with plan and side elevation, 1849 March 7. Courtesy of Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.

Although the above drawing doesn't look like the bandstand, or gazebo that we're familiar with today, if you look at the artist's side view sketch on the bottom right you see how it resembles the modern version in a majestic way. This is the sketch was the architectural drawing examination submission by student Richard Morris Hunt in 1849 at the Ecole des beaux-arts in Paris. We don't know what mark Hunt attained for his submission, but he must have passed since he went on to become an architect. 

When the 1900 World's Fair was held in Paris, the Exposition had its share of musical venues including an elaborate wooden bandstand with lacy fretwork where the American composer, John Philip Sousa, led his band in his own 1896 composition of Stars and Stripes Forever. 

Paris Exposition 1900--Sousa's band--"Stars & Stripes forever", c1900. Courtesy of Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.

The Iolani Bandstand in Honolulu, Hawaii was built in 1883 for the coronation of King Kalakaua. Twenty-five feet across and constructed of wood, the bandstand featured a domed roof of green tiles with recessed dormers featuring international crests. 

Iolani Bandstand, King & Richards Streets, Honolulu, Honolulu County, HI, 1883. Courtesy of Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.

After the second time the structure was repaired from heavy insect damage from termites and other insects, the balustrade and wood pillars were replaced with ones cast in concrete. As of 1972, the pavilion was still in use as a bandstand while the lower level is used for the storage of grounds maintenance equipment. 

Iolani Bandstand, King & Richards Streets, Honolulu, Honolulu County, HI, after 1933. Courtesy of Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.

We find a similar domed style in Calgary, Alberta, albeit without the false dormers, when this bandstand was built at the streetcar terminus in Tuxedo Gardens. It was one of several elegant additions to the city's park system when in 1910, the Board hired Richard Iverson as park superintendant. A self-professed landscape artist who had previously worked in the German Imperial Gardens after graduating from the University of Berlin with the highest honors, Iverson had a dream to create expansive parks lined with shady boulevards and filled with gardens, nurseries, statuary, bandstands and playgrounds to help the public enjoy their leisure time.

Streetcar terminus, Centre Street North, Calgary, Alberta, 1913-1919. Courtesy of Glenbow Archives, Calgary, Alberta

The domed bandstand in Calgary's Tuxedo Gardens was only in use from 1913-1916 and had disappeared by 1919. Although I couldn't find a reason why it was demolished, I wondered if it had been due to a structural issue. (I suppose it was a doomed bandstand and not just a domed one.)

The Board considered park development to be a necessity to Calgary's success and went along with Iverson's extravagant plans, including a bandstand fit for royalty. Built on St. George's Island on the Bow River which runs through Calgary, the 2-tier bandstand was started in 1910 and finished in 1911. 

Bandstand on St. George's Island, Calgary, Alberta, ca.1912. Courtesy of Glenbow Archives, Calgary, Alberta

Bandstand on St. George's Island, Calgary, Alberta, ca.1913. Courtesy of Glenbow Archives, Calgary, Alberta

By 1913 however, the dreamer Iverson had proved himself a terrible administrator and had a problem taking advice. Faced with over-budget and half-finished construction jobs, the Board hired a local gardener, William R. Reader to take over as Park Superintendent. Reader believed that parks were for the people and had a passion to use park space for activities that didn't taxpayers sweat to worry over. Among his simple achievements were loudspeakers around a lagoon so people could enjoy music while boating in summer and skating in winter. With the real estate crash of the 20's, Reader brought forward the idea of using St. George's Island as the location of the Calgary Zoo. 

St. George's Island Park, Calgary, Alberta, ca.1935. Courtesy of Glenbow Archives, Calgary, Alberta

Yes, the same place where the glorious 2-tier bandstand stood became part of the Calgary Zoo. For twenty years they both survived. Today, the zoo is still there. But in 1949, the bandstand was demolished. 

St. George's Island Park, Calgary, Alberta, ca.1940. Courtesy of Glenbow Archives, Calgary, Alberta

I suppose I've strayed off topic since the Calgary bandstands weren't built for a specific event, however, they were built on a grand scale. 

I've found some more interesting images of 2-tier and square bandstands, as well as bandshells, which I'll be posting on my upcoming days (the 5th of each month) here at HHH. I do hope you're enjoying this series. 

Other posts in this historical bandstand series can be found:

- May 5, 2018 - Wooden Bandstands of By Gone Years

- June 5, 2018 - Scenic Bandstands with a Water View

So what do you think about the bandstands shown here? Or even ones from my previous posts? Do you think bandstands should be taken down after each event? Or do you like ones that are built to last and are made of concrete and iron?

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Anita Mae Draper's historical romances are written under the western skies of the Saskatchewan prairie where her love of research and genealogy yield fascinating truths that layer her stories with rich historical details.  Anita's short story, Here We Come A-Wassailing, was a finalist for the Word Guild's 2015 Word Awards. Her novellas are included in Austen in Austin Volume 1, The American Heiress Brides Collection, and The Secret Admirer Romance Collection. Readers can check out Anita's Pinterest boards for a visual idea of her stories to enrich their reading experience.  Discover more at:

Website - www.anitamaedraper.com

Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/anitamaedraper/

Wooden Bandstands of By Gone Years

Band house, 1870. Source: Library of Congress Prints and
Photographs Division Washington, D.C.

As someone who writes fiction about life in, or near, small towns, I am fascinated by things that had a social impact on the actual citizens who are the inspiration behind my stories. The founding families set up commerce, culture, education, and faith facilities that established a community for growth and prosperity. 

A bandstand was the public symbol of their cultural standing. Like a library, it showed appreciation for education and music. Most towns had a bandstand built to suit the pockets and needs of the citizens of that town, hence, the variety of architecture, size, and location is such that this topic will cover several posts. 

The basic architectural style of a bandstand is also called a gazebo, fashionable in today's modern world where it's  often found in backyards with screens to keep the insects out.

While researching images for this post, I found one called a Band House instead of the usual bandstand. The construction might be a combination of wood and iron, but it's the same basic shape of pavilion we're talking about. This image is from an 1870 souvenir booklet entitled, Views of Fair Mount Park, Philadelphia, Part 1st. 

In the early days of settlement, a bandstand provided a stage for Sunday afternoon performances, political rallies, and the welcoming of dignitaries. Often it was placed near the center of town amidst the action of daily life. In Killam, Alberta, the bandstand is shown right in the middle of the street. I wonder if this was temporary for some special occasion, however, considering all the cars in the street that day.

Main Street, Killam, Alberta, June 22, 1918. Source: Glenbow Archives, Calgary, Alberta

This 1907 postcard shows a bandstand and common, or park, in Kingfield, ME., with lots of room for concerts if you bring your own chairs. 

Bandstand & Common, Kingfield, ME, 1907. Source: Wikipedia Commons

It's funny that I found a photograph showing the same type of bandstand on a similar corner in Scotland, Ontario around the same time frame. I don't know how long the Kingfield bandstand lasted, but the Scotland one was a landmark at this intersection until it was removed in 1941. 

Corner of Simcoe St. & Talbot St. with Bandstand, Scotland, Ontario. Source: County of Brant Public Library

According to the next image, the square bandstand in Littlefork, Minnesota is set in line with commerce buildings streetside. It seems odd there, because the music wouldn't have the same sound as it would in a pavilion with clear views on each side. It makes me wonder what the story is here, such as when it was built and which structure came first. Truth be told, it reminds me of a fruit stand.

Bandstand. Littlefork, Minnesota, Sept 1937. Source: Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 

Apparently someone was on a mission to photograph all remaining bandstands because I found a stash of images dated 1937-39, including this next one. The advertising on the side of the trailer doesn't give a clue what the event is, but from the look of the men, coupled with the white loudspeaker on the right side of the bandstand, I wonder if it was a political rally. 

Bandstand, Craftsbury, Vermont, Sept 1937. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.

The town bandstand was the natural place to gather for holiday celebrations where patriotic bunting could decorate the structure for added effect. Although I couldn't find a historic photograph of an American location (which wasn't copyrighted) to show a bunting-decorated bandstand for the Fourth of July, I did find one for Canada's Dominion Day which was taken in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on July 1st, 1906.

July 1st Celebration, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan , 1906. Source: Glenbow Archives, Calgary, Alberta

Olds, Alberta called itself progressive and set out to prove it. They built their bandstand in a small park between the train depot and track-facing businesses on the main street where visiting dignitaries could be greeted in style as soon as they stepped off the train. 

One of the busy spots in progressive Olds, c1916. Source: Prairie Postcards, Peel Library, University of Alberta

Parks were a great place to build a bandstand, especially for a concert, as you wouldn't have the hustle and noise of a busy street to impede you from hearing the music. This (hand-tinted?) stereograph shows 1865 fashion on the mall near the Music Pavilion in Central Park, New York City.

The Mall and the Music Pavilion, Central Park, New York City, New York. ca. 1865. Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.

Here's another view of the wooden Music Pavilion in Central Park, also from 1865, but this one shows an afternoon concert in progress. 

Saturday Afternoon, Central Park, New York City, New York. ca. 1865. Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.

To end this first post in a series on bandstands, I wanted to show another of the images taken in that 1937-39 period. This wooden bandstand was found in Crystal City, Texas in 1939 and is in very bad shape. Although the image makes me sad, the wood doesn't look weathered and might have only been temporary. Still, it shows how a bandstand structure was built. It's basically a frame with slats to pretty it up. The ceiling is falling apart, but the shingled roof seems to be holding up. This basic wood bandstand may have been the only type that early settlers could afford to put up when they were first building their community. 

Old bandstand. Crystal City, Texas. Mar 1939. Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.

Other communities had access to different materials and rich patrons which allowed for bigger, longer-lasting structures.

My next post, on June 5th, will show scenic, romantic bandstands with a water view. 

Your turn...did this post remind you of anything? Care to share?

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Anita Mae Draper's historical romances are written under the western skies of the Saskatchewan prairie where her love of research and genealogy yield fascinating truths that layer her stories with rich historical details.  Anita's short story, Here We Come A-Wassailing, was a finalist for the Word Guild's 2015 Word Awards. Her novellas are included in Austen in Austin Volume 1, The American Heiress Brides Collection, and The Secret Admirer Romance Collection. Readers can check out Anita's Pinterest boards for a visual idea of her stories to enrich their reading experience.  Discover more at:

Website - www.anitamaedraper.com

Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/anitamaedraper/