In May, 1922, the newly-formed Broad Ripple Amusement Association filed a petition for articles of incorporation, proposing to purchase the park from the Broad Ripple Park Company (and Traction Company) for $200,000. The new corporation, headed by James Makin (later founded Riviera Club), was capitalized at $50,000 in common stock. Makin, who also operated the Ma-Lo Chicken Dinner House at 49th [59th] and Keystone, planned to install comfort stations, a merry-go-round, two baseball diamonds, a football field, cinder track, two bath houses, and a large roller coaster to enhance the park's amusements. [109]

In 1927, the Broad Ripple Amusement Association sold out to Oscar Baur, a brewery executive from Terre Haute. Baur began an extensive modernization program at the park, first removing many of the old rides and introducing others, including the "Temple of Mystery," "Huffman's Auto Speedway," and a "dodg'em." [110]

Over the next several years, Baur added other mechanized amusements to the property. By 1930, the park also included a small zoo with a lioness and a bear. [Editor's Note: Several people who grew up in Broad Ripple in the 1930's have said on hot summer nights, when their windows were open, they could hear the lions roar.] Special tickets issued for a company outing during the 1932 season listed the merry-go-round, the Whip, Sea-Plane, Mill Chutes, Ferris Wheel, Ride the Ripples, Blue Beard's Palace, Shooter, Tumble Bug, and a miniature railroad, all which could be ridden at a cost of 2 cents plus a ticket. [111] In 1938 Indianapolis residents were notified that a "new and greater Broad Ripple Park" would open the evening of May 28th. A full-page illustrated advertisement described the "world's largest concrete pool" with beach sand from Lake Michigan, the new indoor/ outdoor dance pavilion modeled after one in Miami, and a wide variety of rides like the Zephyr, the Rocket Dip, and the Great Ski. The ad noted that new president and general manager W. A. McCurry spent over $100,000 on the renovation of the park. It also called for the public to visit the park and "dance in the sensational new Rhythm Terrace Ballroom" to the tunes of Phil Davis and his orchestra and other WLW entertainers. Free admission continued throughout the summer, and the park provided 20 acres of parking, thereby appealing to the city's increasingly mobile population. The ad concluded with a list of over three dozen business firms and individuals responsible for the "resurrection" of Broad Ripple Park. [112]

end part four

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