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Belle Isle is a 982-acre park located on the Detroit River within the City 0f Detroit MI. It is the most-visited state park in Michigan. Facilities include an aquarium, a conservatory, the Great Lakes Museum, a nature center, fountains, a golf course, a yacht club, and a venue for public events. The first photo, dated … Continue reading »

The Denver City Park,  which consists of 330 acres on the west side of Denver, was built in 1882. In 1896 the  Denver Zoo  started in the Park with one eagle and one bear. While it was growing, the Denver Nature and Science Museum opened in 1908. Use of the park now includes gardens, lakes, … Continue reading »

The Boston Common (no s) is the oldest city park in the U.S. It began in 1634 and was first used more as a cow pasture than as a city park. It was later occupied by British troops during the Revolution. It then became the center of political activity, protests, and rallies as well as … Continue reading »

Eden Park started out as 12 acres of donated land in Cincinnati in 1869 and now comprises 186 acres offering numerous activities and spectacular views of the Ohio River. The first photo shows the main gate in 1904. The third is  the main drive in 1921, while the fourth photo is undated and shows the … Continue reading »

The Palace of Fine Arts is located in the Marina District of San Francisco. It was built in 1915 for the Panama-Pacific Exposition–a world’s fair to celebrate completion of the Panama Canal and showcase San Francisco’s progress since the 1906 earthquake. Originally built to display art, from 1934 through 1942, it housed 18 tennis courts … Continue reading »

Patterson Park is located in Baltimore MD. It began as six acres of land donated in 1827 and now comprises 137. The Park’s high ground was the site of a major battle in the War of 1812. An observatory in the form of a pagoda was built in 1891 and remains a major attraction. The … Continue reading »

The Chicago Theater is located on north State St. in Chicago. It was built in 1921 at a cost of four million dollars (fifty-six million today). It has 3,880 seats and was the first movie palace, a prototype for all the ones to follow. It was also one of the first  to use air conditioning. … Continue reading »

The Rialto Square Theater opened in 1926 at a cost of two million dollars (twenty-six million today). It is located in Joliet IL, near Chicago, and very near in appearance to the Chicago Theater. Vaudeville was originally the main attraction, followed by movies until the 1970s. Saved from demolition in 1980, it was renovated and … Continue reading »

Grauman’s is located on the famous Walk of Fame in Hollywood. It opened in 1927. In 2013 it partnered with IMAX and underwent extensive renovation. It now has 932 seats and one of the largest movie screens in North America. The first photo is undated.

Located in Jersey City, NJ, Lowes Jersey Theater opened in 1929 (ninety years ago this month) at a cost of two million dollars (twenty-five million today). It has 3,021 seats and not only hosted movie goers but presented live performances as well. It closed in 1986 and was threatened with demolition. After 10 years the … Continue reading »