Eldridge Park

Dr. Edwin Eldridge opened Eldridge Park in 1870 as a place for recreation and for the community to gather. Early popular attractions included a frog and turtle pond, Lake Eldridge, and the Casino. This casino had no gambling, but instead featured a restaurant, ice cream parlor, and an observation deck. After Dr. Eldridge's death in 1876, his family cared for the park until the city of Elmira purchased it in 1889.

Double deck trolley at Park, 1896 Like the train, the trolley was one of the popular ways for people to get into the park.
Eldridge Park map, 1875 This map highlights some of the main attractions that the park offered in its early years.
Dr. Eldridge at Eldridge Park Dr. Eldridge brought art to the public by installing statues in Eldridge Park, some of which can be seen in the background of this image.
Driving Park, circa 1873-1875 At the Driving Park, people could leisurely drive their horses and carriages around the track. As the sign says, fast driving was prohibited. This was a highbrow form of entertainment.
Eldridge Park Casino, 1875 The Casino was one of the most popular attractions at the park.
Bandstand at Spring Grove, 1873 People would gather at the bandstand to listen to music.
Bear pit, circa 1890s There were two grizzly bears and a cinnamon bear in the original pit. This stereoscope card made it possible for people to see the bears without even visiting the park.

The Gilded Ideal

Eldridge Park was a commercial success. A railroad station was built in Eldridge Park, allowing people from across the region to arrive directly by train. Eldridge Park became a popular destination for people who wished to spend their leisure time outdoors and escape city life. The park also became a popular meeting place.

The Tarnished Reality

There were different ways that people used the park. More sophisticated uses of the park were promenading around Lake Eldridge and viewing the statues. Other attractions, like the bear pit, were a more lowbrow form of entertainment. Bear fights were popular events for spectators. One 4th of July, a group of men harassed the bears by throwing firecrackers at them and had to be stopped by the police.

Eldridge Park

Double deck trolley at Park, 1896

Like the train, the trolley was one of the popular ways for people to get into the park.

Eldridge Park map, 1875

This map highlights some of the main attractions that the park offered in its early years.

Dr. Eldridge at Eldridge Park

Dr. Eldridge brought art to the public by installing statues in Eldridge Park, some of which can be seen in the background of this image.

Driving Park, circa 1873-1875

At the Driving Park, people could leisurely drive their horses and carriages around the track. As the sign says, fast driving was prohibited. This was a highbrow form of entertainment.

Eldridge Park Casino, 1875

The Casino was one of the most popular attractions at the park.

Bandstand at Spring Grove, 1873

People would gather at the bandstand to listen to music.

Bear pit, circa 1890s

There were two grizzly bears and a cinnamon bear in the original pit. This stereoscope card made it possible for people to see the bears without even visiting the park.