As a child, my family often visited this first theme park near Lake Arrowhead, California. Santa's Village was built in 1955, shortly before Disneyland. My youngest brother and I visited Santa's Village shortly before it closed forever in Spring of 1998.
Glen Holland a Southern California developer opened the first Santa's Village in 1955 near Lake Arrowhead in San Bernardino County. Shortly thereafter, Santa's Village of Scotts Valley opened followed by a third Santa's Village near Chicago in Dundee, Illinois. The first two are now gone, the third seems still to be in operation, "(847) 426-6751. The park has evolved from its Christmas-themed beginnings and now includes a "Coney Island" area with thrill rides. Also includes the adjacent, separate admission Racing Rapids waterpark."
I was too young to remember how many times we visited Santa's Village, I'm sure it was at least twice, maybe more. I always enjoyed the Bumble Bee Monorail and the Christmas Tree ride. I remember the sleigh ride pulled by real reindeer and a roller coaster. On one of our visits, I remember being the last person out of the park so that I could rub my back one last time against the frozen column of ice at "The North Pole." The memories of Santa's Village are fading as are any home movies my father might have taken. The park is now gone and all I have left are these fuzzy memories and the rather dark slides I shot on that last visit on December 26, 1997.
The Lake Arrowhead Web site mentions Santa's Village as a location for the Arrowhead Arts Association holding Jazz and music Festival at the "Meadow at Santa's Village located off Hwy 18." The web iste also includes this statement, "Please note: Santa's Village is no longer operating in the capacity of amusement park. Thank you."
|
