Gaslight Village – “Yesterdays Fun Today”

Lake George businessman Charles R Wood created the Gaslight Village amusement park at Lake George, New York after his success with Storytown USA.

Construction site for Gaslight Village                                                   (c) Warren County New York Historical Society

Construction on the site began in the late 1950’s and the village opened for the 1959 tourist season. The property was located at the foot of Lake George adjacent to the Fort William Henry Hotel.

 

Construction site of Gaslight Village looking southeast.                   (c) Warren County New York Historical Society

A second view of the village construction site taken from the air looking to the southeast. Note the layout for the horse drawn trolley tracks.

 

Early staff members of Gaslight Village                                                         (c) Warren County New York Historical Society

While the village was under construction a staff had to be assembled. Staff were costumed in Gay 90’s turn-of-the-century outfits befitting the gaslight era of America.

 

Gaslight Village, Lake George, New York

An early concept drawing of what the village would look like.

 

Let’s take a tour of the village.

 

Looking toward the Palace Theater                                                              (c) Warren County New York Historical Society

 

View along Main Street looking toward the amusement rides.                 (c) Warren County New York Historical Society

 

View looking towards the Opera House.                                                       (c) Warren County New York Historical Society

 

The Toy Shop and Jason’s Drug Store.                                                     (c) Warren County New York Historical Society

 

Overlooking the park. and gazebo.                                                              (c) Warren County New York Historical Society

 

Visitors boarding the horse drawn trolley.                                            (c) Warren County Mew York Historical Society

 

The village was open in the evening and at night,

 

Early evening at the park. The gaslights are turned on.                      (c) Warren County New York Historical Society

 

Palace Theater and Opera House at night.                                               (c) Warren County New York Historical Society

 

 

Rowdy visitors are hauled off to jail in the paddy wagon.                     (c) Warren County New York Historical Society

 

 

Amusement rides after dark.                                                                     (c) Warren County New York Historical Society

 

Look at the crowd of cars in the parking lot!                                        (c) Warren County New York Historical Society

 

Gaslight Village offered plenty of entertainment and amusement rides for the enjoyment of visitors of all ages: ice shows, vaudeville shows, trained tigers, silent movies, and much, much more..

 

“BODEO-DO…  BODEO-DO… DE-DO-DO”

 

Gaslight Village was demolished about 30 years after opening. Today we have only fond memories of this unique theme park.

edited by Tom Lynch, Collections Manager

(c) 2022. Warren County New York Historical Society.

contact: [email protected]

Source:   The Charles R Wood Digital Photograph Collection #11

Warren County NY Historical Society, 50 Gurney Lane, Queensbury, NY 12804

Phone: 518-743-0734

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