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Busch Gardens, Van Nuys, California
All photographs taken by Kenneth A. Larson. All rights reserved. © 2003 - 2008.|
Many years ago, the San Fernando Valley had its own theme park. While the Busch Company still operates several other Busch Gardens, the Van Nuys Bush Gardens closed some years ago. All that remains today is the bridge over the railroad tracks that once connected the original gardens to the five acre expansion that included a log ride and other rides. At it's peak, it was a major tourist attraction, complete with an aviary, boat rides, free beer, and a monorail tour of the brewery facility. When it first opened, if was free but following the expansion, there was a mominal fee. Busch Gardens and Bird Sanctuary operated for several years as a free promotional attraction. There was an attempt to make it more into a small theme park when five acres were added on the other side of the SP RR tracks. For various reasons, the theme park aspect did not operate long. The Gardens continued in their original mode for a few more years before closing. Busch Gardens was closed about 1979 to make way for an expansion to the brewery. There was also a problem with Newcastle disease sweeping through Southern California (just as it is doing now in Spring of 2003) which killed many of the birds.There may have been other factors. John McCullough tells me, "Busch Gardens in Van Nuys California was closed at the end of the Calendar Year of 1976 due to increasing insurance & operating costs." Christian Voegele tells me that he was playing piano there when it closed in December of 1976, but that it continued operating a short time as a smaller attraction. All these photos were taken by me in 1977 and 1978. I bought my first camera in 1976 so I have no earlier photos. |
 The biggest lake. |
 Waterfall. |
 Waterway. |
 Waterway. |
 Waterfall. |
 Bird show. |
 Monorail station. Not the Brewery Tour, but a second monorail inside the park and connecting to the 5 acre addition. This photo was taken after the Theme Park aspect closed. |
 Bumper Cars after closing of the theme park aspect of the Gardens. |
 Bar-B-Q food stand. |
 Special event - RC boat club. |
 Special event - RC boat club. |
 Bridge connecting the original site to the five acre expansion. The green horizontal is the monorail track, the pedestrian bridge is the grey beyond. |
 Bridge today. Only the concrete and steel pedestrian bridge remains. There is no longer an approach ramp on either side, so it can't be used and I can find no trace of the monorail track. |
 As it looks today. Just a place to load trucks. |
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This page last updated: Sunday, 17-Feb-2008 21:49:38 CST
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This site is maintained by Kenneth A. Larson. Copyright © 2004 - 2008, Kenneth A. Larson. All Rights Reserved. Website content including photographic and graphic images may not be redistributed for use on another website. | This site is a non-commercial alternative to my commercial design portfolio site. This site's only purpose is for your enjoyment. There is no paid advertising and I make no profit. If you are in the need of a designer, please check my commercial site www.kesigndesign.com. |
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