The Last Remaining Relic of Spokane’s Abandoned Theme Park

Spokane has quite a few places where tourists can cool off in a splash park, play laser tag, ride go-karts, play mini-golf, bowl, try their hand at arcade games, and even ride the last remaining relic of a forgotten, abandoned theme park from the 1800s. Many visitors in Spokane have been to one popular tourist attraction in particular, not realizing they have interacted with a spooky bit of history.

Enter Natatorium Theme Park, stage right.

610 KONA logo
Get our free mobile app

Natatorium Park: 1892 - 1968

This theme park was once home to a rollercoaster, water splash rides, picnic chairs, a dance hall, a trolley park, walking trails, a shooting gallery, bowling alley, a ferris wheel, a huge public pool, and a city league baseball team. It also had a carousel. In its heyday, it was called Spokane's "Coney Island".

THE LOOFF CAROUSEL

Looff Carousel in Spokane's Riverfront Park
kjostand1 via TikTok
loading...

The carousel that was once part of the Natatorium Park is all that remains. The amusement park was abandoned by the owner when he skipped town after not paying the mortgage for the park. Fast forward to the park becoming the property of a wealthy man named Looff. The Great Depression kickstarted the fall of this huge popular amusement park. Sadly, the trolleys were burned to the ground when the new wave of transportation (cars) came to town. Natatorium Park was later sold off and then abandoned.

Looff Carousel in Spokane
slademartin via TikTok
loading...

The carousel is now housed in Riverfront Park, where thousands of visitors hop on board one of the Looff Carousel figurines (pronounced as “LOOF”) or rent the space out for weddings. The carousel is named after the carver of the figurines who bestowed it as a wedding present to his daughter and son-in-law. (The son-in-law lived in Spokane.) You can read more about the last remaining relic of Spokane’s abandoned historical park here and watch an hour-long PBS special about it here.

@kjostand1🎠🎁 Looff Carousel Spokane, WA

♬ original sound - Prism Lens FX

 

 

@slademartin #carousel #spokane #spokanewashington #spokanewa #pigoutinthepark #looffcarousel #riverfront #riverfrontpark #circus #firsttime #carnival #carnivalrides ♬ Carousel Ride - Tele Music

 

Report a typo or correction

Got a news tip? Email us here.

POPULAR STORIES TRENDING NOW:

50 Most Popular Chain Restaurants in America

YouGov investigated the most popular dining brands in the country, and Stacker compiled the list to give readers context on the findings. Read on to look through America's vast and divergent variety of restaurants—maybe you'll even find a favorite or two.

Gallery Credit: Paul Feinstein

From coast to coast: The 20 best regional fast-food chains to try

From burgers to subs and even creamy milkshakes, these tasty fast-food chains, compiled by Stacker, are a must-try on your next road trip.

Gallery Credit: Kiersten Hickman

More From 610 KONA