Previously known as Palace Merry-Go-Round | |
![]() Palace Amusements in 1997 | |
Location | Asbury Park, NJ |
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Status | Defunct |
Opened | August 17, 1888 |
Closed | November 27, 1988 |
Owner | Ernest Schnitzler (1888–1920) August Williams (1920–1939) Edward Lange & Zimel Resnick (1939–1986) Sam & Henry Vaccaro (1986–1988) |
Theme | Indoor amusement park |
Area | 0.9 acres (0.36 ha) |
Attractions | |
Total | 12 |
Roller coasters | 1 |
Water rides | 1 |
Location | Asbury Park, New Jersey |
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Coordinates | 40°13′4″N74°0′12.76″W / 40.21778°N 74.0035444°W |
Built | June 1888 |
Built by | Ernest Schnitzler |
Architect | Ernest Schnitzler William B. Stout |
Architectural style | Late Victorian |
Demolished | May 26, 2004 |
NRHP reference No. | 00001406 [1] |
NJRHP No. | 3705 [2] |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | November 22, 2000 |
Designated NJRHP | October 12, 2000 |
Palace Amusements was a historical indoor amusement park in Asbury Park, New Jersey. It was built in 1888 and expanded several times over its history; but after a worsening economic situation in both Asbury and the country in the mid-1980s, it went out of business in 1988.
Several efforts were made to save the structure, including its hand-carved carousel, murals and decorations, but in 2004, after an independent structural inspection, the building was deemed unsafe (it had already been damaged in several areas) and was ordered demolished. A local grassroots organization was able to save several pieces from the building, including the famed Tillie mural. [3] [4]
The Palace is mentioned in 1974 Bruce Springsteen hit "Born to Run" in the lines "Beyond the Palace, hemi-powered drones / Scream down the boulevard". [5] [6]
Monmouth County is a county located in the central portion of the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is bordered to its west by Mercer and Middlesex Counties, to its south by Ocean County, to its east by the Atlantic Ocean, and to its north by the Raritan Bay. Monmouth County's geographic area comprises 30% water. The county is part of the Jersey Shore region of the state. It has also been categorized under the Central Jersey region, though it was not among the four counties explicitly listed as included in Central Jersey as part of legislation signed into law in 2023.
Allenhurst is a borough located on the Jersey Shore, in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The settlement was named after resident Abner Allen and was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 26, 1897, from portions of Ocean Township. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 472, a decrease of 24 (−4.8%) from the 2010 census count of 496, which in turn reflected a decline of 222 (−30.9%) from the 718 counted in the 2000 census.
Asbury Park is a beachfront city located on the Jersey Shore in Monmouth County in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is part of the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population was 15,188, a decrease of 928 (−5.8%) from the 2010 census count of 16,116, which in turn reflected a decline of 814 (−4.8%) from the 16,930 counted in the 2000 census.
Freehold is a borough in and the county seat of Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Known for its Victorian era homes and extensive colonial history, the borough is located in the Raritan Valley region within the New York Metropolitan Area, located about 33 miles (53 km) from Manhattan and 17 miles (27 km) from Staten Island. The borough has grown to become a commuter town of New York City. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 12,538, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 486 (+4.0%) from the 12,052 recorded at the 2010 census, which in turn reflected an increase of 1,076 (+9.8%) from the 10,976 counted in the 2000 census.
Neptune City is a borough in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 4,626, a decrease of 244 (−5.0%) from the 2010 census count of 4,869, which in turn reflected a decline of 349 (−6.7%) from the 5,218 counted in the 2000 census.
Roosevelt is a borough in western Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 808, a decrease of 74 (−8.4%) from the 2010 census count of 882, which in turn reflected a decline of 51 (−5.5%) from the 933 counted in the 2000 census.
Monmouth University is a private university in West Long Branch, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Founded in 1933 as Monmouth Junior College, it became Monmouth College in 1956 and Monmouth University in 1995 after receiving its charter. It enrolls about 4,400 full-time and 260 part-time undergraduate and 1,750 graduate students and employs 302 full-time faculty members.
The Jersey Shore, commonly referred to locally as simply the Shore, is the coastal region of the U.S. state of New Jersey. Geographically, the term encompasses about 141 miles (227 km) of oceanfront bordering the Atlantic Ocean, from Perth Amboy in the north to Cape May Point in the south. The region includes Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, and Cape May counties, which are in the central and southern parts of the state. Located in the center of the Northeast Megalopolis, the northern half of the shore region is part of the New York metro area, while the southern half of the shore region is part of the Philadelphia metro area. The Jersey Shore hosts the highest concentration of oceanside boardwalks in the United States.
Tillie is the nickname of two murals of a grinning figure that were painted on the side of the Palace Amusements building in Asbury Park, New Jersey, United States. Tillie is an amusement park "fun face", painted during the winter of 1955–1956. The name Tillie is likely a nod to George C. Tilyou, owner of Steeplechase Park in Coney Island, New York, which featured the Steeplechase Face, similar grinning face signage.
The Evil Clown of Middletown is a large outdoor sign in Middletown Township, New Jersey. Originally built by and for Food Circus grocery store, which later became known as the regional supermarket Foodtown, it is now a roadside display and de facto advertising sign for a nearby Spirits Liquors. Much of the clown's notoriety stems from its sinister-looking face, which might be described as bearing a vaguely amused sideways scowl.
Point Pleasant Beach is a train station located in Point Pleasant Beach, in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States, on NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line, and is one of the most significant stops on the NJCL portion between Long Branch and Bay Head. This station is located on one of the borough's major arteries, Arnold Avenue, Route 35, several blocks from the Atlantic Ocean, boardwalk, Manasquan Inlet marina, and within the community's downtown business, shopping, dining and entertainment nexus. The station is handicapped-accessible.
Aberdeen–Matawan is a station on NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line, located in Aberdeen and Matawan, Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. This station, convenient to Route 35 and the PNC Bank Arts Center, is popular with both commuters and concertgoers, and is the busiest station on the line between Bay Head and Rahway.
Asbury Park Convention Hall is a 3,600-seat indoor exhibition center located on the boardwalk and on the beach in Asbury Park in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It was built between 1928 and 1930 and is used for sports, concerts and other special events. Adjacent to the Convention Hall is the Paramount Theatre; both are connected by a Grand Arcade. Both structures are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Allenhurst is an active commuter railroad station in Allenhurst, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Served by New Jersey Transit's North Jersey Coast Line, Allenhurst station operates on the diesel-only segment between Bay Head and Long Branch stations. However, trains also operate to both New York Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal. The next station to the north is Elberon in Long Branch while the next station to the south is Asbury Park. Allenhurst station consists of two low-level side platforms that are not handicapped accessible.
Asbury Park is an NJ Transit railway station in Asbury Park, in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. It is served by trains on the North Jersey Coast Line. It is located along Cookman Avenue between Main Street and Memorial Drive. The current Asbury Park station is one of two original Asbury Park stations on the line. The North Asbury Park station still exists, but is no longer a station stop; the former station was located at the Sunset Avenue crossing.
Bradley Beach is a railway station located at Railroad Square between Brinley and Lareine Avenues in Bradley Beach, New Jersey. It is served by trains on NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line.
List of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Monmouth County, New Jersey
The Parker Homestead is a historic home and grounds in Little Silver, Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States, located at 235 Rumson Road near Sickles Park. The main house was originally built circa 1720, and includes materials from an earlier structure the early and late 19th century, and the 1910s and 1920s. It is one of the oldest extant buildings in the state. The farmstead which also includes three outlying barns were listed on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places. in 2011.
Marlboro Township, New Jersey has a number of historic sites. The Monmouth County Historic Site Inventory (HSI) was started in 1980 by the directors of both the Monmouth County Historical Association and the Monmouth County Park System. This inventory project provided an inventory number to all historic properties in Monmouth County, New Jersey. In addition to property details, this listing provides reference numbers for easy identification. In addition to the park system inventory, the Marlboro Township Historic Commission provides a listing of Historic Commission Landmarks (HCL). These are physical signs placed in historically significant locations. There was also a list presented by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection - Historic Preservation Office (HPO).
Media related to Palace Amusements at Wikimedia Commons