A GREAT DAY in MY Life.....A long story..

Hi I took the ride below... That was my story in 1935.. A 10 year old LAD from the hills of Tennessee... WOW New Thom Mc Ann SHOES and a New suit.
Michigan Virtual Park Tour and Museum - The History of The House of David Benton Harbor Michigan

House Of David Virtual Tour Eden Springs Park & Zoo ~ Main Entrance ~ and C Click the pictures to enlarge . Main Entrance Eden Springs Aviary & Zoo Israelite bands were often to be seen and heard around the colony’s buildings and soon the colonists found a crowd of non-members hanging around on weekends to hear the bands play. A bandstand and a large birdhouse to the north of Bethlehem were built to entertain their "Gentile" visitors. They also constructed an ice cream parlor, where the waffle cone is said to have been created. By 1907 the crowds drawn to the Ice Cream Parlor became so large that they began to get in the way of their daily living. The business needed to be relocated away from their private dwellings. Land to the immediate south of the existing colony was purchased from the Eastman Springs Company. In 1907 Benjamin Purnell announced plans to develop an amusement park in the large area which is now located between Britain and Empire Avenues in Benton Harbor, Michigan. The park opened in 1908 and during its long impressive history included a zoo with lions, tigers and bears, miniature train rides, an aviary where peacocks roamed freely, live music and entertainment, the birth of the waffle cone and numerous other attractions. Your tour begins here at the Southside main entrance located off of what is now Empire Avenue, Benton Harbor, Michigan. In the past, you could travel by boat and ride buses and street cars to the park. From the main entrance you could get train tickets and have dinner and stay at the Hotel and Vegetarian Restaurant. You could also enter the park from the north side train station on Britain Avenue. From here you could walk East past the Train Station and Restaurant and enter the Gardens, Zoo & Aviary "The south depot was the arrival point for most visitors to the park. There was also an earlier version of the south depot. The depot was ringed by cottages, a baseball park, zoo, restaurant and hotel. Inside the depot were souvenir stands and an ice cream parlor. On the east side of the depot was a hopper and water tank for the replenishment of coal and water for the miniature engines. Once refueled the trains would depart on their return trip through the zoo, over the east trestle, past more tourist cabins and the Diamond House to the north depot on Britain Ave. "( Israelite House of David website) "As you entered the zoo you would find a row of bird cages on your left or the South side or near the ravine. There were parrots, small birds, eagles, cockatoos, peacocks and emus. There were three people who had charge of the zoo - Tapping, Billy Harrison and Chic Bell. Mr. Tapping was associated with the birds in the beginning." ( Israelite House of David website) The zoo also included alligator ponds, kangaroos a monkey house & sea lion Lion and Tiger cages were opened in 1908 and closed in 1945. The animals were sold to the The Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. and We are very happy to bring you movie clips compliments of Earl & Mary Alice Boyersmith Train House I Train House II Main Entrance Main Entrance II All Aboard Train Coming In Return to: Here are some pictures of the South Train Station as it exists today. Even as time left its mark, the beauty and craftsmanship can still be seen Exterior Pictures