Remembering The Excelsior Amusement Park

It’s been over 35 years since the Excelsior Amusement Park decided to close their gates. Most of what was the amusement park is now site to a couple of restaurants and condominiums, but what remains are the local stories and few known artifacts that make this town an important piece of Minnesota’s history.

The Excelsior Amusement Park is important because it served as the primary amusement park to the Twin Cities prior to Valley Fair. It was a park inspired by Coney Island, and like Coney Island it too had rollercoaster that went by the name, The Cyclone. Along with the rollercoaster, Excelsior Amusement Park was home to a ferris wheel, bumper cars, boat rides, a fun house, and a carousel.

During the 1940’s, 50’s, and 60’s the ballroom was a popular hangout for people from all over the Twin Cities—especially teenagers. The ballroom was host to many popular musical acts, including Lawrence Welk, Tommy Dorsey, The Beach Boys, and the Rolling Stones. Excelsior is also home to the legendary “Mr. Jimmy,” who was believed to be the inspiration to the Rolling Stone’s You Can’t Always Get What You Want.

One of the remaining pieces of the old amusement park is the Allemarinda and James Wyer house, which from 1925 to 1974 housed the managers of the park. A few years after the park stopped operations in 1973, the National Register of Historical Places added the home to its prestigious list. Today, you can visit the home, which is known as The Christopher Bed and Breakfast.

Another important piece from the park is now located in nearby Shakopee, MN. In 1976, The Excelsior Amusement Park relocated its Philadelphia Toboggan carousel to Valley Fair, which is now the Twin Cities’ primary amusement park. The carousel was in service during the entire operation of the Excelsior Amusement Park, and still runs service to this day at Valley fair.

Working at BSL Real Estate in a historically rich area such as Excelsior is an amazing thing. Even though few mere artifacts are left from this specific piece of history, the stories and memories are engrained in this beautiful town’s DNA—and will be for generations to come.

If you have any further questions regarding the old Excelsior Amusement Park contact Buy Sell Lease (BSL)

O: 952.460.3420
F: 952.460.3421
E: Travis@BuySellLeaseMN.com
Best,

Travis Senenfelder
BSL Real Estate