Kursaal Memories


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ONE BRIGHT SPOT: SOUTHEND'S KURSAAL (PAGE 1 OF 2) Photographs: from the book 'Kursaal Memories' by Ken Crowe Gallery: Originally published by Joyland Books from 19 May 2003 to 31 July 2003
'One Bright Spot' and 'By the Dome it’s Known' were bywords for the Kursaal, certainly in Southend, in the East End of London and throughout much of southern England. The Kursaal was the largest amusement park in the south throughout much of the Twentieth Century and the destination for thousands of East Enders and others up to the 1960s. This photo gallery tells the story of the Kursaal: from its origins in the late nineteenth century, to the closure of the park and gardens in the 1970s, and the closure of the buildings in the 1980s, and then finally to the high profile re-opening of the ‘new’ Kursaal in 1998. This photo gallery takes visitors on a tour of this wonderland by the sea through the years and is based on a new book by top local author Ken Crowe. If you enjoy the Exhibition then why not buy Kursaal Memories here at Joyland Books and discover many more pictures plus the fascinating story of one of the world's first theme parks.
In the Beginning	The Pier Hill Fairground was established by 1889. It featured swings, steam roundabouts and the “Roly-Poly” ride, passengers in which, we are told, could experience all the joys of complete seasickness without the danger of leaving dry land! George Sherrin’s drawing for the proposed Tower buildings, as the grand entrance to the Marine Park. It was only when the company responsible was renamed the Southend and Margate Kursaals Company, did the buildings become called the Kursaal.

Grand openings and big crowds	The trotting tack was completed in 1905, and was one of the earliest attractions, together with the switchback railway, aerial flight, dancing platform and “swanneries”. The Aerial Flight was among the earliest attractions in the Park, dating from 1894. It was also one of the longest surviving of the early rides, being a feature into the 1930s. A general view of the Kursaal grounds taken about 1910. One of the principal attractions at this time was the Joy Wheel, introduced by the new owners, the Luna Park Company. A view of the Kursaal about 1910.

The first C.J. Morehouse	Among the many side shows and stalls that were such a feature of the Marine Park and Kursaal was the Pot-Em stall, seen here probably shortly before the First World War. Although the main entrance to the Kursaal was via the “vestibule” below George Sherrin’s dome, there was also a separate entrance to the “Gardens”. A plan of the Kursaal grounds in 1920. Compare this aerial photograph of the Kursaal (about 1920) with the plan. One of the most prominent of the “rides” is the Aerial Flight. Notice also the plot of land to the right; this was to become the home of Southend United Football Club until 1934.

The David de Forest Morehouse Years (1921-1934)	One of the most famous of all the attractions in the Kursaal was the Water Chute. It was introduced in 1921, having been brought directly from Earls Court. It was one of the few rides in the grounds for which there was always a queue. There were several roller coasters in the Kursaal, from 1894 up to 1973. The Harton Scenic Railway of 1910 was one of the earliest and survived until the closure of the park in 1973. A view from the top of the old water chute, taken about 1930. In the middle is the Aerial Flight, dating from 1894. To the right is the “Ice Toboggan”. The Wall of Death was introduced to the Kursaal in 1929. It was advertised as America’s greatest thriller, and it is to be supposed that de Forest Morehouse saw the Wall at Coney Island. The earliest riders at the Kursaal were Marjorie and Billy Ward and Jack Cody. The Mont Blanc ride was introduced in the 1930s by the Lecorgne family, and proved to be one of the favourites in the Kursaal Gardens.
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