Most People Don’t Know That Oregon Was Once Home To The Largest Amuseument Park In The U.S.

Hayden Island is a beautiful treasure of a town. Oregon’s only island community, it's a place with a beach town spirit *and* PNW sensibility. In addition to its totally unique geography, Hayden Island has a fascinating history. The island was once home to the largest amusement park in the U.S., and today we're going to take a look at the story of Jantzen Beach Amusement Park.

Hayden Island is literally located on the Columbia River, and it's Oregon's only island community.

The island is technically a suburb of Portland, but it's always been an iconoclastic little outlier that's more beach vibes than urban living.

Which is why Hayden Island was the perfect location for an amusement park.

In 1927, William A. Logus and Leo F. Smith purchased 40 acres of land on Hayden Island from the Portland Electric Power Company.

Logus and Smith headed the Hayden Island Amusement Company, and named the attraction "Jantzen Beach Amusement Park" after one of the park's investors, Carl Jantzen, of the eponymous Jantzen swimsuit company.

The park opened to the public on May 26, 1928, drawing more than 15,000 guests (who paid just $0.10 admission at the time!).

The following day, 25,000 people came out to the park.

Known as the "Coney Island of the West," Hayden Island amusement park was *the* place to go at the time.

At 128 acres, it was the largest amusement park in the U.S. in its day!

The amusement park included a merry-go-round, fun house, Big Dipper roller coaster, Golden Canopy Ballroom, four swimming pools, a natatorium, 25 acres of picnic grounds, and 15 acres of parking.

In its 42-year tenure, the park shattered all attendance expectations; attracting more than 30 million visitors between 1928 and 1970.

But by the 1950s, attendance began to decline, while the value of this island property increased.

After an extraordinary 42-year run, Jantzen Beach Amusement Park closed in 1970.

Today, a shopping center stands in its place.

But the amusement park's story isn't over.

Restore Oregon, a non-profit dedicated to preserving the state's most historic places, is working to return the beloved carousel to the people of Portland.

Hopefully in the future, this iconic piece of Oregon history will be restored to its former glory, providing new generations of Oregonians a delightful link to the past.

Did you know Hayden Island was once home to the largest amusement park in the country? It really is an incredible story. If you're looking to learn more about The Beaver State's fascinating history, definitely check out this article about Robinette, an underwater ghost town in Oregon.