Copyright © 2020 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
In 1918. Thomas G. Moses wrote, “Went to Detroit to see Ingersoll about a lot of work he wants done.” Moses was referring to Manager Frederick Ingersoll, manager of Detroit’s Coliseum of amusement and many other entertainment venues.
Fred Ingersoll (1876 – 1927) was an American inventor, designer, builder and entrepreneur, credited as “the father of the American roller coaster, responsible for more ups and downs in American merrymaking than any other man” (“Des Moines Register” 24 October 1927, the page 1). Starting out as a designer, Ingersoll Construction Company initially focused on the “figure eight” coaster, scenic railways and Shoot-the-Chutes.
Ingersoll also created a chain of amusement parks, and during his lifetime owned and operated 44 amusement parks. Moses first mentioned Fred Ingersoll, of Ingersoll Construction Company in 1915 when Sosman & Landis delivered painted scenery for the attractions at Pittsburgh’s and Cleveland’s Luna Parks; the first two parks in his chain. Ingersoll’s Luna parks are not to be confused with Frederick C. Thompson’s Luna Park on Coney Island. Moses also designed and delivered amusement park attractions to Thompson’s Luna Park.
On May 5, 1918, the “Detroit Free Press” announced, “Thousand’s Attend Coliseum Opening” (page 16). The accompanying article reported, “Boardwalk bigger and better than ever, is verdict. Better than ever and giving promise of maintaining its reputation as one of Detroit’s most popular places of recreation, the Boardwalk at Jefferson avenue and Belle Isle bridge, with the Coliseum of 25 amusements, opened for the season Saturday night. Responding to the announcement of the opening, thousands took advantage of the balmy spring evening and journeyed down to the breezes and take part in the hilarious fun that occupies every minute of one’s stay in the coliseum. Manager Frederick Ingersoll had taken particular pains to have everything in the best working order and to provide in all possible ways for the comfort and convenience of his patrons. The slides, the numerous ingenious contrivances that give thrills alike to those who venture upon them and onlookers, the mirth-provoking ‘theater’ and all the other stunts that have been devised to give clean, healthful pleasure alike to men, women and children were in full blast. Several new fun devices have been installed in the coliseum in addition to those of past seasons. The boardwalk will be open every evening and all-day Sundays, beginning today. Its variety of amusement, the modest price of admission, which entitles one to enjoy all the features, and its easy accessibility to all parts of the city and to Belle Isle bid fair to render of the mecca of merrymakers throughout the summer.” Ingersoll’s Coliseum of Amusements was located on Jefferson Avenue and was under the management of C. S. Rose.
I have written quite a bit about Moses’ work for Ingersoll in past posts. In 1915, Moses recorded, “A short trip to Detroit to see Fred Ingersoll. Closed a picture set for $1,500.00. He had a fine theatre.” Again, Ingersoll was the manager of Detroit’s Coliseum Theatre, a 450-seat venue at 4321 Hamilton Street that opened in 1916. In 1920, Moses still received work for Ingersoll, writing, “A good order from Ingersoll for a lot of park work was very welcome. I started it at once so as to be ready on him.”
Unfortunately, Ingersoll’s life came to an abrupt end in 1927. Newspapers across the country reported that he was found dead in a concession stand at Krug Park, Omaha. Articles reported that the doors and windows were tightly closed, and an open gas jet filled the room with its fumes. The county coroner convinced that death was self-inflicted, held no inquest and Ingersoll’s suicidal act was attributed to ill health.
In Des Moines papers, Ingersoll’s obituary remembered him as “the amusement park magnate who installed the roller coaster and other amusement devices at Ingersoll park, the vanished center of gayety once operated at Forty-eighth street and Ingersoll avenue. At that time, he was regarded as the foremost amusement park magnate in the country, with important financial interests in parks in Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Philadelphia, as well as Des Moines. At one time he operated five Luna parks in five eastern cities. Besides his interest in the Omaha amusement park, Ingersoll was associated with similar enterprises in Lincoln, Neb. and Detroit. At the time of his death, he has lived for the last eight years in Omaha. Among amusement men, Omer Kenyon of the Garrick Theater said last night; Ingersoll was regarded as the foremost amusement park promoter in the country. To Ingersoll is given credit for the discovery, long before the airplane became a more practical imitation of a bird’s flight, that American’s like the thrill of bird-like soars and dips and glidings. His inspiration led to the rapid blossoming of gaunt white roller coaster structures on the outskirts of most American cities of any size. Later he extended his idea to other thrillers, such as whirling chairs, crack-the-whip rides, and swift revolving swings, on which zestful men and women spent three or four exhilarated minutes for 10 to 15 cents.”
To be continued…
