Remember Libertyland

Happy New Year! It’s been a while since I last posted but I do have some updates for you today!

Below the panoramic of the new Zippin Pippin you’ll find even more construction photos. The coaster is progressing very nicely!

Click here for more photos.

Memphis Mayor A C Wharton recently revealed plansfor a $185 redevelopment of the Mid-South Fairgrounds. I was surprised to read that the plans left the area formerly occupied by Libertyland untouched. The area would be simply known as “Liberty Park.” While I would rather the amusement park itself still be standing, I think the area could serve as a memorial to the fairgrounds’ past. It certainly beats tennis courts. I wish they would name the area “Libertyland Park” but I assume that would be somewhat confusing to some.

I’ll keep you updated!

I found this pretty interesting regarding the new ice skating rink at the Memphis Zoo’s Zoo Lights:

“Also, the city has contributed about 80 pairs of skates used at Libertyland’s temporary rink in the 1980s.”

So if you’re skating at the zoo this holiday season, you just might be skating in a pair of Libertyland skates!

Jimmy Ogle, the mind behind the upcoming plaque unveiling at the former site of Libertyland has generously sent us photos of the double-sided marker.

He explained more details about the marker: “With the advent of Tiger Lane, we decided to locate the historic marker at the new (limited access) entry into the property on the east side of East Parkway and Young Avenue (northeast corner).  At this location, the marker will be “distanced” from the Tiger Lane activities and have a stand alone presence right at the traffic light, bus stop  and new entry.   It will be due west of the actual location of the Zippin Pippin and right at the old Fairgrounds Amusement Park entrance.”

One side will commemorate the Zippin Pippin,

while the other side will honor Libertyland.

This will be a great reminder to all who visit the fairgrounds of the pieces of history which used to stand there.

The official unveiling will take place on Monday, November 1st, 2010, at 12:00 p.m.

I recently came across this interesting photo from a Memphis Flyer article. It seems that some materials from Libertyland were reused to create wooden conversation bubbles in one of the waiting rooms at the new LeBonheur hospital.

“This is right outside that playroom, in the waiting room itself … I love these wooden conversation bubbles. What’s even better, they were constructed from recycled Libertyland material.”

There’s no telling where exactly within the park these materials came from. Perhaps the Zippin Pippin?

In this video, WRVR’s Bill Bannister goes to Libertyland for his Underground Memphis series. The video shows some great shots of the carousel and the Zippin Pippin.