Davis County Clipper CLIPPER 115TH ANNIVERSARY 23 When ...

Soon Salt Air was drawing Davis County residents south for their recreational activities. But like the Phoenix, a new resort rose from Lake Park’s ashes, or in this case, from the muddy shores of the Great Salt Lake. One of Lake Park’s investors, Simon Bamberger decided to eschew the fickle lakefront and moved inland. Purchasing 25 acres in Farmington, he built his own lake, brought in boats from the old Lake Park then dismantled its old dancing and concert pavilion and hauled it to the new site. A bowery and a restaurant were added. He then extended his own rail line into the park. On Sunday, July 12, 1896, Bamberger opened Lagoon. Initially, the new resort offered dancing, concerts, boating, swimming, bicycling and picnicking — the staple for resorts at that time. But soon, rides and other activities, for which the resort is best known today, joined the slate — a fun house, water chutes and a miniature steam engine railroad ride, merry-go-round and etc. By the mid-1900s, a large freshwater swimming pool became a feaattraction. Advertising tured declared, “Swim in Water Fit to Drink.” A massive wooden roller coaster became another popular draw. The Bambergers’ operation of the resort continued until 1946 when they leased it to Utah Amusement Corporation with Ranch S. Kimball as president and Robert E. Freed as secretary and assistant manager. Gradually other members of the Freed family became involved and in the 1970s their Lagoon Corporation bought the resort. They continue to operate it today. Every year, the resort seeks to offer some new “feature of fun” and today it has outgrown its original midway. The initial 25 acres has swelled to more than 140. But some features, are a throwback to the past — an animal menagerie, a water park and daily entertainment. Whatever items are added, one thing remains the same — the need of families for a place to have fun in the summer sun. That will never change.

Davis County Clipper

When receding lake waters forced Bamberger out of Lake Park Resort, he made his own large ponds inland in Farmington and opened a resort named Lagoon. While Lagoon didn’t suffer from receding lake waters, it wasn’t immune to a large fire in 1953.

Clipper 115th Anniversary 23