The Joan De Arc Crusader presents
A Tribute to a Bygone Arizona Amusement Park
Sounds On
A Tribute to a Bygone Arizona Amusement Park
Friday, October 11th, 2024

Guest Book

Please leave your memories and comments in this public guest book so we can share your thoughts with our other visitors.

If you experience a problem trying to post to the Guest Book, you may contact us with your entry.

Date: 1/31/2024   Time: 2:31:46 AM
Comments: I remember coming to Arizona from Pennsylvania and was taken to Legend City and my cousin and I went out on the paddle boats and because it was so hot and I passed out so my cousin had to paddles us back in herself! Lol I sure do miss that place. I wish someone would buy it and open back up. It was so much fun. We my family and I spent sooo much time there. Things were different then. That was probably 1971. Way back when.
Date: 7/5/2023   Time: 4:30:14 AM
Comments: Worked at Legend City from 1971 to 1975.
Ted Moran, graduated from Arcadia High. It was probably the greatest place fro a kid to work that i can think of. I worked maintenance. My responsibilities where, The Modern Cars, The Antique Cars, The Sky Ride, and The Shooting Gallery. See how everyone would scream now, with a shooting gallery with teal Remington Nylon 66 and live .22 cal ammunition. Great Park— Back when people could have fun
Date: 6/29/2023   Time: 8:01:34 AM
Comments: Happy 60th Anniversary Legend City!

I was there the year it opened and went many times over the entire run of it. My dad worked at the public relations firm for Legend City in the early/mid 70's and he used to let me run all around the park by myself while he had meetings in the executive office.

I went to high school with Ladmo's daughter and lived across the street from Ladmo's toy store in Tempe. Got a Ladmo Bag on the Wallace & Ladmo TV show for my hobby of collecting the little toys that came out of gum machines. I had hundreds of them and the next day at school, everyone called me "Charms". It was worth it. They're actually still sitting next to me on my desk as I write this (the charms, not the idiots from my class). I even worked for the Cappell Brothers traveling carnivals when I was a kid too. Lots of great memories in Arizona.

Phoenix in the 60's and 70's was a very different place than now and very awesome! Compton Terrace, KDKB, the drive-ins, Big Surf, all of it. I was a DJ at KRUX, KZZP and KOOL FM in the late 70's and when my dad worked at KTAR in the 60's, I used to go with him and play on the Romper Room set by myself while he was on the air. I also remember when he hosted the Hollywood world premier of Mackenna's Gold at the Kachina theater in Scottsdale. Years later he would host his own show on KPHO TV 5. His name was Bill Rocz and he entertained countless of Arizonans on both radio and TV for decades.

And so today on Legend City's 60th Anniversary, I honor the great light that Lewis Crandall's park brought to so many people, and it is an honor to leave this message on such a wonderful website dedicated to him and his magical park. I have the Legend City Hardcover right next to me here as well and it it a treasure trove of memories. Thank you for that as well.

Lastly, at this time in history with all that is going on in the world, I would just like to say with all sincerity and humility... peace, love and happiness to us all, my dears. Your friend and Arizona brother always, Bill Rocz Jr.
Date: 4/28/2023   Time: 9:14:09 PM
Comments: Our family moved to Phoenix/Scottsdale in 1962 specifically to help build the park. My dad, Ronald Schenck worked building the park and then worked there after it opened. I was around 12 years old and went to Yavapi and Supi 7th and 8th grade. I also remember going to work with dad at the park on a few days. My dad worked as the maintenance manager or foreman and later was rides manager under Bob Rice. Was a long time ago but have many memories of going to the park several times. The river ride and the mine ride were some of the best, also the Coca Cola Palace Salon. The park probably failed for several reasons - Spent too much during construction and then tried to open the park during the hottest part of the day. Nobody wanted to go to an amusement park when it was 110 degrees outside. Should have changed hours to later in the day and opened until late night. They did not make good changes until it was too late. My dad left the park in the fall of 1964 and we moved back to Iowa.
Date: 10/2/2022   Time: 4:28:54 AM
Comments: i lived in buckeye when i got to go to legend city. there was a wallace and ladmo show that day.com i only got to go once but it was a blast
ed
Date: 6/24/2022   Time: 5:14:22 AM
Comments: My family lived 2 miles north of the park (Hy-View neighborhood) so it was easy for us to visit the park on a regular basis (we were 10 to 14 years of age). My favorite ride, (and I don't remember the name) was a circular ride that went backwards. The song mostly played was "Wooly Bully" by Sam the Sham and The Pharaohs. But what I really was pleased to see was the photo of Sgt. Dave and an audio recording of the River Ride. I had the pleasure of knowing the real Dave when we attended the Phoenix Regional Police Academy in July 1973. During breaks Dave would do his River Ride spiel and it was always a hit. You'd have to see him perform it in person to really appreciate his performance. The audio recording is great but just not the same. Legend City was the perfect place for a young person to have fun and meet your friends. Hi Dave 221 from 220.
Date: 2/18/2022   Time: 9:55:03 PM
Comments: Great website! Thank you for maintaining this history for us to enjoy.
Date: 2/12/2022   Time: 9:09:35 PM
Comments: I work for U-Haul and just learned about this amusement park. Never thought a moving company could own an amusement park. I guess the saying is true, we learn something new every day!
Date: 12/22/2021   Time: 8:34:53 PM
Comments: I am Cindy who was the other half of the "Mighty Midget" with Jeannie and performed at Legend City and the Wallace & Ladmo show. Would love to find Jeannie again. Please let me know if there is an email where she can be reached. Thanks!!
Date: 5/17/2021   Time: 5:19:35 AM
Comments: Wow, found this while reminiscing. My name is Jeannie and I am the original "mighty midget. Cindy was my stage partner We performed every weekend in the Saloon.
A huge hello to our fans.
Date: 12/23/2020   Time: 7:53:12 AM
Comments: when my sister's boyfriend wanted to take her out but she was always babysitting us little siblings, he finally said bring them along and we'll go to Legend City. We rode the train around the circuit, and I saw the last living specimen of an extinct species. An Honest-to-God BUFFALO! I'd been told they were all gone, wiped out a hundred years before. I will never forget that day.
Date: 12/19/2020   Time: 3:30:30 PM
Comments: Enjoyed Legend City in Jr. High and High School in the early 70's. Arizona is the 5th Largest City. When are we going to Re-Create a Legend City Version of Six Flaggs???
After this Pandemic of 2020 we need to Gift out city and it's residence with an Amusement Park.
Come on Governor Ducey. What do you say????
Date: 3/4/2020   Time: 3:23:14 AM
Comments: Such precious and special memories...the most magical place ever!
Date: 3/3/2020   Time: 4:18:01 AM
Comments: Such good memories. Spent so many weekends at Legend City. Totally Loved it there. Watched Wallace and Ladmo every day!I was heart broken when they decided to close it down. Time to bring the magic of Legend City back!
Date: 2/13/2020   Time: 7:06:53 AM
Comments: Nice. Thanks.2/18/2020
Date: 11/19/2019   Time: 9:15:29 PM
Comments: I am so glad this site exists. I have fond memories of Legend City as a kid. It was the best. Not only did I enjoy it as a kid, but I have a family connection to this wonderful place. My Dad sang bass in The Coppertones, so my trips to the park were plenty. :) I'm sad to say he passed away in July of 18 from a short bout with liver cancer. So the intro track and the music is extra special now. Dad went on to a very lengthy radio career in Phoenix and LA before retiring. During the radio days he spent some time singing in the Phabulous Phoenicians. He loved to sign and perform. Thank you for this site and I hope it brings plenty of joy and great memories for all who visit. Thank you, David Zorn... davezorn72@gmail.com
Date: 7/26/2019   Time: 1:19:23 PM
Comments: This site is online gold. Great memories. My father worked security here for years. I was lucky enough to get a pass on the weekend to roam the park. Memories for me was the train. We were family friends with stuntman Ron Nix which performed shows at Legend City in the 70's. The haunted fun house, the bumper cars, the log ride, LOST DUTCHMAN ride!! I just recently found a Legend City 25 cent coin in magnificent condition which spurred me to look for Legend City memories. ..and here i am. Peace to all the kids of the 80's.11/17/2019
Date: 7/23/2019   Time: 2:41:57 AM
Comments: I can’t believe I found this site talking about Legend City. So many great memories. Saw my first concert at Compton Terrace. The Cars. I went on the Wallace and Ladmo show. I entered a contest to name the newest rollercoaster. I named it The Sidewinder. They named it that and I won a year season pass that included food,drinks, and bring a friend day pass. Unfortunately my parents never let me go after people died on the Zipper and the Mad Mouse roller coaster, and shortly after that they closed because of lawsuits and the cost of insurance is what was reported in the mews. I was so mad.
Date: 7/18/2019   Time: 1:05:38 PM
Comments: Great site!! Loved Legend City!!
Date: 11/13/2018   Time: 10:39:37 PM
Comments: I'm looking for the following people who were in the band at Legend City. If you know any of them please have them email me. Fred Maynard, Ben Wood, Don Muller, Eddie Fallon or Don Strawbridge. jshraggej@gmail.com7/18/2019
Date: 10/6/2018   Time: 7:37:40 AM
Comments: At one time before Bill Capell bought and re-opened Legend City, my brother and I had a meeting with the then owners and his company offered us the entire park and contents, rides and all for the price of only 1 million dollars cash. We didn't have that much money so had to pass up the good deal. Capell bought it for 1.25 mil and later sold part of to Compton Terrace and later the rest to SRP for over 11 million for the land value. We always think about what we had to pass up and cry.
Date: 8/27/2018   Time: 7:09:10 PM
Comments: I have fond memories of this place. Thanks for creating this website to remind me of happy moments of my childhood
Date: 6/27/2018   Time: 9:47:38 PM
Comments: This is FABULOUS. Just stumbled upon this site via the wiki. Such great memories of all-access nights there, back when the intoxicating smell of orange blossoms still hung heavily over the Valley of the Sun. Phoenix in the '70s—the only way I want to remember it! Looking forward to combing through later (I still have a plastic tumbler; it's now a beloved potting soil scoop). Love it when people preserve stuff like this on the web, what a find, thank you! –Kim
Date: 6/22/2018   Time: 6:33:31 PM
Comments: Had fun in late 60's and early1970's there. Great website.
Date: 4/11/2018   Time: 4:25:57 AM
Comments: I was soooooooo hoping you guys would have the one park map that im looking for. but of course you have them all BUT that one. Its the map from like the early '70's that showed a big wooden roller coaster as "future attraction" over where Comptan Terrace would eventually go. Any chance you have a pic of that or know where i can find it?
Date: 3/12/2018   Time: 11:41:39 PM
Comments: Looking to buy anything legend city or wallace and ladmo related. Please send email and pics if possible. Thank you.
Date: 11/25/2017   Time: 5:42:21 AM
Comments: Legend City was a Great place. It opened on my 10th Birthday. We, that is My Siblings & I, knew the Park quite well by then, because we spent time there with our Dad, who was a Special Services Division Employee for the Coca-Cola Company.

He spent a lot of time there assembling Coca-Cola dispensing equipment in the various concession stands & places like the Golden Palace Saloon.

In fact there is a very good Picture of Our hard workin' Dad (Len Boss) on top left of the Golden Palace Saloon Page, pushing a Hand Truck stacked with Coca-Cola Pre-Mix Tanks to his Coke Truck which is parked in front of the "Golden Palace Saloon... See for Yourself.

Wayne Boss
Sr. Fire Prevention Specialist II- Phoenix Fire Dept. (Retired)
Date: 8/11/2017   Time: 3:07:31 AM
Comments: Legend City was a place to take visitors, from out of state. I wish it could be brought back. Today we need some of this type of family entertainment. What an amazing place to spend the day. Thank you for sharing! We keep losing our history! A wonderful gift for those of us who remember.
Ruth Hoover
Date: 6/9/2017   Time: 5:56:42 AM
Comments: I also wish I would have been able to experience this park in its prime. I was born just a bit too late. It looks amazing and I can tell the pictures you have up are drenched in memories.
Date: 5/31/2017   Time: 10:36:40 PM
Comments: I grew up in AZ and my family went to Legend City all the time. I remember that they used to have concerts there too. I am pretty sure I have seen Kool and the Gang there lol! Legend city has a great special place in my heart and I have great memories of that place. It would be great if some investors could restore it to at least an outside venue and/museum. Good times!

Stella
Date: 4/7/2017   Time: 11:45:28 PM
Comments: Wonderful commemorative page. I seem to recall association with Looney Tunes and having some of their characters occasionally wandering around too. They should have stayed open year round. They were always busy---far busier than Tombstone and a better deal, yet Tombstone lives. From what I understand, their first season was a massive failure and they struggled to stay open thereafter. One of their best features was just paying admission rather than the ticket books like Disney.

There is an amusement park planned for the intersection of I-8 and I-10. The middle of nowhere. Terrible idea.
Date: 12/28/2016   Time: 10:31:28 AM
Comments: I grew up going to Legend City. As a child enjoying the park with my family. Teen years with friends and concerts at Compton terrace in high school and beyond.
From Wallace & Ladmo to Stevie Nicks popping in to do a song or two and surprising fans during Rock concert. Great memories for me at Legend City/Compton Terrace... Thank you so much for those special memories!
Date: 9/23/2016   Time: 1:50:47 AM
Comments: Oh WOW!!! I was thinking about my Dad tonight and came across your site. Noticed my older sister Mimi had left a comment about our Dad Frank LaVigne being one of the designers of Legend city. I was there on opening day also in a stroller at the age of two. As I got older I remember my father saying how proud he was to have been one of the designers for the park. I have slides from opening day if anyone is interested? Congrats on celebrating such a fun place to remember! Brent R. LaVigne
Date: 7/14/2016   Time: 6:21:34 AM
Comments: Great memories seeing Def Leppard there for their Pyromania tour in September 1983, they were the headliner. Fans were so excited they pushed against the stage and Joe Elliott had to stop in the middle of a song to calm the crowd. They finally left the stage and said they would not come back until the crowd moved back, people up front were getting smashed and passing out. They sent dozens of ambulances and medical staff to help out until everyone finally moved back. Def Leppard came out and absolutely put on an unbelievable show, definitely made me a fan for life. They were one of the best live bands I have ever seen...wow the memories.
Date: 7/9/2016   Time: 4:42:56 PM
Comments: I have wondered what happened to the old Chaparral race course. I have fond memories of that place. I found out about it through one of those promotional cards at a hotel, and thought it would be fun. Well it was! That course was WAY more challenging than I thought. They had a "special" giving you 15 laps for the price of 10, so of course I went for it. I was SO sore when I got out of that car! I couldn't believe how challenging it was, you really had to work hard to get a decent time. At that time they even had a more "advanced" car you could drive if you got good enough times. I never did while I was in town. I miss that place. But times have changed and I can't wait to take on some of the newer E-Karting courses. Auto racing is my favorite sport! Thanks for keeping that memory alive!
Date: 4/15/2016   Time: 4:21:04 PM
Comments: E-MAIL FOR ALL INFORMATION CONCERNING MUSIC GROUPS WHO PLAYED AT LEGEND CITY/COMPTON TERRACE/ENCANTO BANDSHELL FROM 1966-1976 PLEASE REACH ME AT ricardo.rocchio@gmail.com .....HAPPY TRAILS
Date: 4/15/2016   Time: 3:35:53 PM
Comments: BOY HOWDY; TALK ABOUT THE WAYBACK MACHINE PEABODY...DOES ANYONE REMEMBER MOST OF THE MUSIC GROUPS FROM THE EARLIEST TO THE END. IM TRYING TO COMPILE A LIST OF THE CONCERT MUSICAL CHRONOLOGY (ORDER) FOR LEGEND CITY AND BIG SURF. I REMEMBER AT LEGEND CITY HEARING ALL THE BANDS FROM RARE EARTH TO JOE WALSH.....I JUST NEED TO KNOW THE ARTIST/BAND ROCK-N-ROLL HISTORY FROM THE ENCANTO BANDSHELL THROUGH THE COMPTON TERRACE YEARS UP TILL 1980......THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WONDERFUL MEMORIES.....HAPPY TRIALS
Date: 1/25/2016   Time: 5:21:52 AM
Comments: The email for the uniforms is jshragge@cox.net.
Date: 1/25/2016   Time: 5:19:10 AM
Comments: I have some of the old band uniforms from LC. If you are interested or know anyone who may be interested contact me. Some of the names in the uniforms are Harold Simms, Eddie Fallon, Fred Maynard, Don Keller, and Dan Strawberry.
Date: 11/7/2015   Time: 1:53:08 AM
Comments: Worked there the last 3 years for Barbara Capell in the Mexican Village and the Pit Stop. Was such a great place. Went to many concerts at Compton Terrace and worked some of them. So many memories will definitely go to the exhibit. I still have some of my stuff from there cups, key chains, etc.HW
Date: 10/24/2015   Time: 2:38:04 PM
Comments: Looking forward to the museum exhibit!
Date: 8/22/2015   Time: 1:27:10 PM
Comments: WOW SAW THIS BY ACCIDENT !
I WAS VISITING MY RELATIVES IN SCOTTSDALE 1981 WHEN I WAS 13 OR SO
THEY TOOK ME HERE IT WAS A GREAT PLACE
I RAN AROUND ALL DAY AND WENT TO EVERY RIDE
JIMMY DALELIO BOSTON, MA. AUG. 201510/23/2015
Date: 8/7/2015   Time: 10:49:48 AM
Comments: Loved this place! Great hang out for kids. The ultimate baby sitter. I still have a Legend City Bumper sticker on one of my small tool boxes!
Date: 7/30/2015   Time: 2:12:50 PM
Comments: The Tempe History Museum is preparing a Legend City exhibit that is scheduled to open in November 2015. They are looking for donations or loans of memorabilia and photos, and for people to do oral histories about Legend City experiences. Contact the museum for more information 480-350-5100. http://www.tempe.gov/city-hall/community-services/tempe-history-museum/contact-us

Submitted by Jerry Gantt, LC employee 1970 - 1974.
Date: 7/26/2015   Time: 8:55:14 PM
Comments: I remember being about 6 or 7 and being aloud to operate a little skeeter boat with a small outboard motor around the park by myself without any type of direct supervision. I did not drown, crash, fall out and chop myself up on the motor, nothing. And i remembered this my whole life as being the most fun a kid can ever have.
Date: 7/14/2015   Time: 7:25:05 PM
Comments: Anybody have any legend city items for sale. Money isn't a problem if you have anything. Please email me at mikeyrs_85053@yahoo.com
Date: 6/28/2015   Time: 6:21:21 PM
Comments: I grew up in Gilbert and went to Legend City in the early 80's. Wish it was still there so I could take my kids now. Great memories!
Date: 5/26/2015   Time: 6:59:31 AM
Comments: I remember as a child going to Legend City. Sometimes I would skip Jr. High and play games their all day long. Thanks for the great memories.
Date: 5/23/2015   Time: 12:03:41 PM
Comments: If I had a billion dollars I would rebuild a new Legend City here in the valley. It was our local Disneyland and kept us kids out of trouble. The bumper cars, the Lost Dutchman and the Zipper always smelled like puke but we still rode it. I remember fishing inside the Phoenix zoo. Those were the days.
Date: 3/8/2015   Time: 9:47:39 PM
Comments: Thank you for the soundtrack to the Wallace and Ladmo Show. It brought a hearty smile to my face thinking about a bygone era!5/19/2015
Date: 12/18/2014   Time: 12:04:02 PM
Comments: The creator of this site (John Bueker) has done a wonderful job of saving and protecting our memories during this fun time in our lives. He is to be congratulated and thought of as a curator and historian. His skill in finding and displaying archival material is almost mythological - where does he find all this stuff? He has allowed many of us to return to an easier and less complicated time of our lives - times we probably wish we could experience again. His new book about Legend City is for sale now (December 2014) and I encourage everyone to buy it and let your own children know of this wonderful piece of history. If we had more people like John, the world would be a better place.12/28/2014
Date: 10/11/2014   Time: 10:07:38 AM
Comments: I remember going to LC as a child, I was probably 3/4 years old. The park seemed so big! I remember the log flume ride and I also remember the cable cars that went up over the park. When you pulled up into the parking you would see the cable cars and such excitement and anxiety would flow. It was a really fun place to go. I have great memories of the park, however I also have a very bad memory that I laugh about today. Bullwinkle and Rocky were at the park and they came over to me for a picture. Bullwinkle reached down to hug me and I darted screaming... I thought that he was going to eat me or something. I really think it was funny when looking back. I also would like to add that yes we went during the summer and it wasn't that bad. It would be great to see a real theme park come to town. I would buy annual passes to it for my family!11/14/2014
Date: 9/11/2014   Time: 11:34:05 AM
Comments: Worked at Legend City around 1969-1971. Started as a street sweeper and then became a ride operator primarily working the Rage Cage but also on the Parachute and Tarantula. Then for a few extra bucks I would occasionally spray the park for mosquito abatement.
Date: 9/1/2014   Time: 2:31:25 AM
Comments: Howdy to all from the DuBach Family~..1948 is when my Parents became Zonies~ I personally worked at Weldons Riding Stables and herded *City Dudes* around Papago Golf Course as a kid~
Date: 8/11/2014   Time: 9:26:49 PM
Comments: It is 2014 and I am 58 yrs. Love Love Loved LEGEND CITY. It IS 2014 and time for a new amusement park. I think legend city should be resurrected. 75% of park attractions should either be a water park and an Amazing Jakes type of place......with a Mall and a Movie Theater geared towards tourist kids and teens..........Yes we will need the train. Then we'll need Castles and coasters rides.......and of course the lost Dutchman's mine.Only 25% of park should have outdoors attractions. There should be a Wallace and Ladmo theater that shows the old television episodes.That way the park makes money all year. Li.nes for waiting in line will need to be cool somehow. Come on investors...........where's are your imaginations. From a local young at heart Phoenix Public School Educator who will forever be a kid at heart.
Date: 7/25/2014   Time: 11:25:17 AM
Comments: Got my Mom's fingernail in my eye while riding the teacup ride - she was waving her arms around wildly from having so much fun she forgot her child was in the teacup also!

And not just the rides - what about the ORIGINAL COMPTON TERRACE!! Saw many great bands there: Elton John, The Cars, Def Leppard, Billy Squier, too many to list. Both Legend City and Compton are some of the best memories of my life.8/10/2014
Date: 7/25/2014   Time: 11:11:51 AM
Comments: I grew up in Chicago where we lost an old fashioned amusement park called Riverview.
Date: 7/25/2014   Time: 10:45:21 AM
Comments: Being a native I remember when way back when we used to go see the stage shows there (Wallace and Ladmo) Truly an era that has again gone.
Date: 6/15/2014   Time: 8:47:45 PM
Comments: Thank you for putting this site together. I was born in 1974 in Phoenix , lived in Tempe and Mesa. Legend City was a great place. The log ride was my favorite. I remember the fruit drinks shaped as fruit. Going for ice cream in the park. Getting lost in the mirror room. Arizona could use another amusement park. :-)
Date: 6/11/2014   Time: 10:26:13 PM
Comments: FIRST, thank you so much for putting this website together. I first visited Legend City on family vacation in 1977; we were living in New York but had family in Phoenix. We then moved to Glendale in 1979 and became regular visitors until closing day. I remember growing into a punk teenager and making fun of the park but now I would do anything to have it back... I miss the park and the simpler time SOOOO much, thank you again for running this wonderful website!
Date: 5/31/2014   Time: 7:36:26 PM
Comments: Saw the article in the Republic today. When we were kids, going to Legend City was such a treat! The best was if you were invited to a birthday party at Legend City. I remember seeing an appearance by "Robin" (Burt Ward) from TV's Batman series. I will never forget that! Non-natives will NEVER 'understand'! Brad6/10/2014
Date: 5/31/2014   Time: 12:20:08 PM
Comments: We lived in Glendale so when our parents would take a group of us there, it was a big treat. Must have gone at least 10 times which was a lot for the distance. Wish we had an amusement park like this in the Phoenix area again. Has anyone said Kickstarter! Look what Reading Rainbow just pulled off.
Debbie
Date: 5/31/2014   Time: 5:36:52 AM
Comments: I used to work there in the late 60's. I was in college and gave employees breaks on the iron rides. It was a fun time for all.
Date: 5/26/2014   Time: 6:37:42 PM
Comments: My dad used to take us there every summer! What a great place!
Riding the Iron Horse, witht he train robbery, is a memory I will never forget!5/30/2014
Date: 5/19/2014   Time: 10:04:23 PM
Comments: Being born and raised in Phoenix, Legend City was a part of me. Best place to be on a summer night. When I got older, I would buy a ticket to Legend City and then hop the fence to see the concerts at Compton Terrace!
Date: 4/13/2014   Time: 2:05:41 PM
Comments: I grew up in tempe Arizona and watch Legend City be built. I remember the evening men came to our house to get our patrents to invest in this new park. it was no Disney but if they had worked at it it would of been i have many great memories of this park and was so sad to see it close . I keep thinking and hoing someone are some big company will bring this park back to life disney style. Arizona needs a good family park what better that to bring the goast of Legend City back to life.My best memory was seeing the love of my life Vonda Kay Vandyke perform i was a young kid and very much in love with her , but alass she became the worlds sweetheart when she went on to become Miss America like i had a chance . Great memories great fun and much more glad i found your sight
Date: 4/11/2014   Time: 6:39:35 PM
Comments: I have the wonderful memory of seeing Wallace after one of his stage shows at Legend City in a plain T-shirt. I rushed over to him to tell him it was Gerald who was causing all his troubles, not Ladmo. Wallace looked shocked and said, "Really?" I remember feeling so proud that I got Ladmo out of trouble.
Date: 1/23/2014   Time: 7:28:48 PM
Comments: My band Bodacious played at the Beer Gardens before concerts at the terrace. Free rides and concerts. A lot of fun.

Chuck Weeks
Date: 1/18/2014   Time: 1:41:39 AM
Comments: I was at Legend City as a young girl, on the very last day of operation. I didn't understand the significance of this until later. I was born and raised in Phoenix and my children are also now being raised in Phoenix.
Date: 12/29/2013   Time: 11:41:30 PM
Comments: I love this sight !!!!!!!! thank you sooooo much!!!!!!!!!!
Date: 12/29/2013   Time: 11:37:05 PM
Comments: I WAS ABOUT 11 WHEN ME AND MY BEST FREIND GINA WOULD GO THERE WE HAD A CRUSH ON FRED AND PAT THEY WORKED THE "FUN"HOUSE AND WE WOULD GET ALL DAY PASSES GET DROPPED OFF AND HAVE THE TIME OF OUR LIFES ....FRED AND PAT ACTUALLY CAME TO APACHE JUNCTION TO OUR HOUSE ON THE SUPERSTIONS FOOTHILLS TO SEE US .WE ALSO WENT TO PAT BENATAR AT COMPTON TERRACE IN THE 80"S ...I MISS IT AND THIS SIGHT HAD BROUGHT ME TO TEARS BOLTH HAPPY AND SAD .MY BEST FRIEND GINAS PASSED ON HER WAY TO HIGH SCHOOL ONE MORNING ...AND THIS WAS OUR PLACE WE LOVED .........PAT OR FRED THAT WORKED THE FUN HOUSE CONTACT ME PLEASE ON HERE OR AT valeramisura@rocketmail.com P.S THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SIGHT SIR .....--VM
Date: 12/23/2013   Time: 10:52:23 AM
Comments: I remeber when we moved to the valley .
And my dad took us to Legend city .
All us kids the oldest 23 and me the youngest 7.
Were enthralled and lost all desire to go to Disney land .
I grew up with the better part of my summer days living there.
And at the zoo mom felt we needed a little more education .
Was heart broken when it closed and was one of the last to leave the park.
The last day it was open.
I wish we still had it so i could take my own kids there.
It definetly is a jewel in my memories of growing up in the valley.
Date: 11/30/2013   Time: 10:27:49 AM
Comments: Unfortunately I was born at the end of the 70s so I would have barely had a memory of this great place, but after looking through the videos and the photos I wish that there was a place to take my baby to in a couple years like Legend City. That sounded like an amazing place.

Jered Van Houten
Date: 11/19/2013   Time: 5:05:10 AM
Comments: as a kid back in the 1970's - it seems like I spent my summers at Encanto Park, the Phoenix Zoo, or Legend City. What a simple time that was. Back in the day when kids actually looked forward to spending time outside.

This is a great site to relive those childhood memories. I am sure many of us commenting probably stood in the same lines together.

Nice to see you again! LOL

Date: 11/7/2013   Time: 11:53:37 AM
Comments: Some of my best childhood memories include Legend City! This place was amazing...my memories are also from the late 70's and coming from very humble means growing up my mom would find a way for us to go as oftern as we could......It was magical! I was glad to see a website honoring and bringing life back to what alot of people think is a legend. Thank you so much for creating a space to quantitfy the shared experiences, the rich memories of authentic fun that we all had the pleasure of being a part of. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being part of this time of my life....GREAT TIMES!!!!!!!
Date: 10/30/2013   Time: 12:01:03 PM
Comments: I guess not! Well, here it is again. About 1972 or 1973, when I was around 9 years old, Legend City held a heavily-publicized event called Ladmo's Summer Party. Children were encouraged to send in an SASE to receive coupons for free rides, snacks, etc. For two weeks prior to the event, Gerald came on the Wallace and Ladmo show and warned the kids they had better not attend or his monster would get them! But this was not the monster whose costume is now on display at the Arizona Historical Society. KPHO had gotten ahold of a genuine Creature from the Black Lagoon suit, and you remember how firce he looked! Well, my mother took me to Ladmo's Summer Party---it was the only time I ever got to go to Legend City. During the stage show at the lagoon amphitheatre, Gerald tricked Wallace and Ladmo into leaving the stage. Then he snarled at the kids, "I warned you not to come to Ladmo's Summer Party!", and the monster roared onto the stage. But Wallace and Ladmo came back just in time, armed with paddles, and routed the beast. My only visit to Legend City, and a very happy childhood memory for me.
Date: 10/30/2013   Time: 11:54:39 AM
Comments: Hi, I submitted a memory a month or so ago.....am thinking maybe it didn't transmit. I wrote about an event in 1972 called Ladmo's Summer Party. Did you receive that one?
Date: 10/25/2013   Time: 11:39:11 AM
Comments: Just saw videos of the 50th anniversary. Sorry I missed it. Still fondly remember rebuilding the park for U-Haul when they took it over, Rebuilt all the rides from old Pacific Ocean Park. Had a couple of great years there. Went back & refurbished and moved rides for the Japanese. Would like to hear from others to talk about the good old days .. Mark Taylor
unicorn431@netzero.net....(951)830-3751
Date: 10/21/2013   Time: 2:44:59 PM
Comments: HI again guys. I'm a surfing skateboarding and snowboarding photographer/historian and am trying to find any photos or home movies of the Skateboarding Area they had at Legend Ciy. If you have any home movies of skateboarders riding there. I will be happy to have them transferred professionally as long as i can keep a copy for the archives. You can go down in Skateboarding history too ... Thanks, Scotty starrphoto@barfoot.com
Date: 7/9/2013   Time: 11:43:13 AM
Comments: Legend City owes it's existence to a small movie ranch in the east valley of Phoenix, near Apache Junction called Apacheland Movie Ranch. When Apacheland was slated to be the southwest's "Disneyland" in 1959, it was to have a central western town perfect for Hollywood movies as well as southwest and Arizona themed attractions and rides. By early 1960 when investors were unsure of what direction to go, one half built Apacheland Movie Ranch in Apache Junction and the other half took the plans drawn Disney's chief visual engineer, Nat Winecoff and built a western theme park called Legend City three years later. Both locations were once part of the same dream in 1959.

Apacheland historian, Phil Rauso
http://Apacheland.com10/1/2013
Date: 7/7/2013   Time: 2:31:20 PM
Comments: My son just returned from Phx with the Valley Times article about the 50th anniversary event. If I had known I would have attended. I worked at LC in 1983 when I was about 16 the last season they were open. I not only was a ride operator( the monster and the log ride) I also worked clean up before and after the park opened/closed and steam-cleaned the rides and prepped for paint so the would look their best for resale during the last season all for $2.95 an hour and was glad to do it!!! We also had our own after hours party..LOL!! t was a very happy memory in my childhood. Randy Kimball
Date: 7/7/2013   Time: 8:11:28 AM
Comments: I moved to Scottsdale I believe in about 1965 and lived there till 1972 when I was 13.Lots of memories.Legend City,Big surf,the zoo,hole in the rock.I remember riding my bike and checking out Old Scottsdale.It was only a block from where I lived.Watched Wallace and Ladmo every day.KUPD radio.Tubing the Salt river.Birthdays at O'Farrells ice cream parlor.The world is just not the same as back then.I miss it
Date: 7/1/2013   Time: 12:23:14 PM
Comments: I was young and only went to Legned City twice as a kid but I LOVED IT!!! I tell my kids about it all the time. Wish they could have experienced it. LOVED Wallace and Ladmo too. I even went on the show and got a Ladmo bag. Those were the days.
Date: 6/25/2013   Time: 11:40:36 AM
Comments: I spent many a day and night working at Legend City in the Opera House and the Lagoon Stage with the Seidel and Carol Magic show in the late 70's. we performed with Mighty Midget, Kurt Crabtree the ventriloquist, and Wallace and Ladmo. There was also a dance troupe that performed. We would go from a show in the Opera House to one on the Lagoon stage and sometimes only had 15 minutes to tear down, run and set up again. It was crazy but so much fun. The shows were free to the kids and their parents and they all seemed to enjoy the reprieve from the rides. So, so many fond memories. Carol (Seidel) Sparks, Tempe, AZ.
Date: 6/25/2013   Time: 5:06:48 AM
Comments: legend city will always be a great landmark for our state! IM ASHAMED THAT AS A STATE WE CANT SEEM TO GET THE JOB DONE BY CREATING A THEME PARK! we need one bad! in a society with so much gloom and despair and agony and negativety , we need something positive. come on arizona we need you so lets bring something here to life in a theme park. maybe legend city 2? or whatever. lets get it done for every each and one of us. god bless the crandalls for starting this vision. now may we see a new vision and bring something special to our state so we can be called a theme park state. thanks michael lee
Date: 6/21/2013   Time: 3:46:03 PM
Comments: My first visit to Legend City was in 1971 for an Easter egg hunt. Unfortunately, by the time I got there all the eggs had been found. But as I grew up and started driving, going to Legend City was always so much fun. I remember at one point we could pay one gate price, get a wrist band and stay/ride all day. I remember that Buck Owens played there sitting on straw bales. Sure wish this place was still around. Could have turned it into a Six Flags!
Date: 6/21/2013   Time: 12:52:28 PM
Comments: We had a park called Paragon in Hull MA it closed 2 years after Legend City closed. I loved Paragon and I still miss that place. I never got to go to Legend City because I didn't move to Phoenix until 95. It sucks both parks are gone! Legend City is on Facebook,and also Paragon is on as Paragon Park Memories! Check both of them on Facebook! Take care Darren Dawson Boston Via Phoenix!
Date: 6/21/2013   Time: 8:46:38 AM
Comments: I remember going there as a kid with my parents, it was so much fun. My favorite memories are when me and my friend went on the log ride and we would always get wet that was a lot of fun as well.
Date: 6/21/2013   Time: 6:59:06 AM
Comments: I just graduated from high school in 1963; my first job was dancing at Legend City on the stage over the water! What fun we had with our musical review. At the end of summer, I assumed can can duties at the saloon. We watched Vonda Kay crowned Miss America during breaks in our dance routine. Karen Coudrey Drake
Date: 6/11/2013   Time: 5:41:06 PM
Comments: I worked there for 3 years for Bruce and Barbara Inman used to run into her at the state fair. Her parents owned Legend City at the end. The Gay Nineties and the Mexican Village I worked at. One of the employee parties was on my 19th birthday and at that time it was legal to drink at 19. So I had a great birthday at Legend City! I still have some of the cups and stuff. Miss it was so much fun.
Date: 6/11/2013   Time: 1:28:19 PM
Comments: The Capell brothers carnivals would not be able to help rebuilt sadly all the three brothers have passed. They were true out-door showmen.

Thanks
Ted Capell

Date: 5/25/2013   Time: 6:40:33 AM
Comments: Looking forward to the anniversary party in June. We'll be there!!
Date: 4/28/2013   Time: 11:26:07 PM
Comments: Great information on the site and I loved the video's, Audio files and the music. I wasn't even born yet when they closed since I wasn't born till 1981. But the saying is true you do learn something new everyday. I just now found out that Legend City today.
Date: 4/1/2013   Time: 2:16:17 AM
Comments: My first job there was selling soda pop at a Glen Campbel concert in 71. afterwards I was able to get a job first as counter help then fry cook at the hamburger stand in Gay Ninties Village. The third season I worked we had new uniforms and they did a presentation for employees it was music from the love unlimited orchrestra, we thought we was in the big time when we walked out to start that season. I became a rides operator and it was a blast. I started on barf boulevard, did both the car rides, and was a relief operator on the ferris wheel. I got to do it for most of the day once because the regular guy was sick, everything went good till my break and the guy that relieved me didn't understand how to load the wheel. Instead of putting people in then sending them up to top, to keep it balanced by loading opposite car, he just kept loading cars until it overbalanced and the drive cable came off when it rolled backwards. We had lots of help from management that night. I loved to go in early we would get ice from resturants at back of park to fill the operators igloo water coolers, (the machines had more time to recover there volume before guests got back there), then we'd load them on an old U-haul flatbed truck and go screaming around the park delivering them. The mad rush to get clocked out at night, everyone would be pushing in and if you saw someone at the clock you'd hollar for them to clock you out too, cuz there was gonna be a party somewhere and you needed to get to it. I feel sorry for anyone that never worked there or got to see it. It's the reason I still won't work any longer then it takes to find a different job if I don't love doing it. I watched Wallace & Ladmo on KPHO channel 5 when I was a kid and allways enjoyed their gig at the park if you could find time. No it wasn't Disney Land, but it was there and so were we. Thank you for the site and the great memories. Scott Slinker
Date: 3/28/2013   Time: 7:42:34 AM
Comments: Was a cool place except it didn't have the water slide like Big Surf where the tops came off the chicks at the bottom
Date: 3/12/2013   Time: 9:27:46 AM
Comments: Let's get Scottsdale and Tempe in on contacting the Salt River Reservation authorities and leasing the land south of Tempe Marketplace for a new location and rebuild LC. Plenty of space, plenty of jobs . . . we are a MUCH bigger Valley now and could support the City all by ourselves!
Date: 1/23/2013   Time: 10:53:41 AM
Comments: I was just a skinny kid living in Mesa until the late 70's. I remember Legend City very well, as it was one of my favorite places on earth...the other being Big Surf. Some great memories, too bad LC isnt still here for the Valley's kids to enjoy like we did...and for us... just one more time. I never did get that coveted Ladmo Bag!
DO OVERS!!2/5/2013
Date: 1/22/2013   Time: 10:25:54 AM
Comments: I grew up in Phoenix/Scottdale from 1950 until I went to college in 1964. KPHO was the first local tv station in Phoenix and Gold Dust Charlie showed cartoons after school. My dad was a part time camera man there and shot Gold Dust including the arrival of his nephew Wallace J. Snead. Dad also shot Lew King Rangers and we played back stage with some kid performing brothers, Jerry and Wayne Newton. I guess I still remember the good ol' days.

I worked at Legend City when it first opened that hot summer of 1963. I started working in the parking lot and quickly moved up to street sweeper. While street sweeping, I spent time at the Golden Palace and sometime on my break, the drummer would let me sit in when Vonda Kay performed and do rim shots. I ended up working every ride and attraction (including the carnival rides when they came in) and continued to work there during my summers away from college. In 1964 that added a "sidewalk surfing" (now, skateboarding) ramp down one of the slopes and a flat practice area.

One of the great secrets of Legend City was the life at night after the park closed. The street sweepers had to fog the park because of the mosquito problems and all of the stagnant water in the park. We would put the foggers on back of golf carts and ride through the park. We would then get on the river boats and fog the water ways. Being young (and stupid) we would run the ferris wheel and let friends come in to ride the other rides. Having been a conductor on the train, I learned about running it and one night we took it for a ride.

I would love to catch up with former employees, especially from back in the day and more to the point, I would like to see who ended up with parts of the park after it was disassembled. Contact me at RPMarsh16@aol.com

Richard Marsh

Date: 1/14/2013   Time: 8:27:37 PM
Comments: I was at Compton Terrace before , It moved to Firebird to see
The GoGo's open for The Talking Heads' early '80's
B.Matlock
Date: 1/14/2013   Time: 6:35:39 PM
Comments: I remember looking forward to Wallace and Ladmo shows at Legend City. After my mom passed away in 2002, each of us kids were given a few things that she had saved from our childhood. Among the things she had saved for me was a ticket book, nearly full, with the old A to E level tickets from Legend City. It really brought back some memories. Our favorite was always the Lost Dutchman Mine ride, and the Dutchman's Shack.

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