Ramsey County History – Summer 2015: “Carnies and Calamities: A Carnival Midway on the Island at Phalen Park, 1903–1908”

Carnies and Calamities: A Carnival Midway on the Island at Phalen Park, 1903–1908
Author: Janice R. Quick

A young entrepreneur, Jacob Barnet, built a carnival midway and amusement park on the island at Phalen Park in 1903. Under contract with the Board of Park Commissioners, Barnett’s midway was successful in drawing many fun-seeking visitors to his amusements, but he and the Park Board differed greatly on how Barnet was to handle the resulting litter, noise, and overflowing outhouses. Eventually, the Park Board voided its contract with Barnet, and the midway was removed in 1908.
PDF of Quick article