Park History
Elitch Gardens has touched the lives of most of Colorado’s residents and is responsible for many of its best memories. Elitch Gardens was always more than a mere amusement park, it was also:
- One of the first zoos west of Chicago
- The home of Denver’s first symphony orchestra
- Denver’s first botanic garden
- Colorado’s first Children’s Museum and activity center
- The site of Denver’s first motion picture theater, and…
- Home of the Trocadero Ballroom, where most of Denver danced and romanced
The bustling little town of Denver was just 30 years old when Elitch Gardens first opened its gates.
Historical Timeline
1890 |
Elitch Gardens first opens its gates to the public. John and Mary Elitch turned their farm on the outskirts of Denver into a cool green oasis and zoological park for all to enjoy. Friends of the Elitch’s, P.T. Barnum and Mr. and Mrs. Tom Thumb, were among the opening day crowd. |
1891 |
John Elitch dies. Mary Elitch continues to run Elitch Gardens and gains the distinction of being the only woman in the world to own and manage a successful summer resort. She was known throughout her life as “the Gracious Lady of the Gardens” and lived on the grounds until her death. |
1892 |
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1909 |
The log entrance gate is torn down and an ornate, Greek-Revival styled stucco gate is built. |
1916 |
Denver businessman John Mulvihill purchases Elitch Gardens from Mary Elitch and begins a dynasty of four generations of family ownership. |
1917 |
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1928 |
The carousel, which took master craftsmen three years to carve by hand, is delivered from the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. It still operates in the park to this day. |
1930 |
John Mulvihill dies and his son-in-law Arnold Gurtler assumes ownership of Elitch Gardens. |
1936 |
The Ferris Wheel is erected. |
1954 |
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1958 |
The stucco entrance gate is torn down due to the widening of 38th Avenue. It is replaced by an art-deco aluminum arch. |
1965 |
The famous “Mister Twister” roller coaster is built and is advertised ‘not to have a foot of straight track in it.’ A replica of the coaster still operates at the park today. |
1975 |
The famous Trocadero Ballroom is sadly torn down due to ballroom dancing’s lack of popularity. |
1994 |
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1995 |
The New Elitch Gardens opens at its new location in Central downtown Denver. |
1996 |
Premier Parks, Inc. acquires Elitch Gardens, ending eight decades of family ownership. |
1997
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In a dramatic announcement Premier Parks, Inc. announces a huge, multi-million dollar Elitch Gardens improvement program. |
1997
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1997
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1997
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The Trocadero returns. Built in honor of Elitch Gardens’ famed Trocadero Ballroom, the new Trocadero Theatre seats 700 and can be easily converted into a ballroom. |
1998
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Yet another exciting year begins with the announcement of StarToon Studios, a pint-sized playland complete with whirling rides and a multi-story factory of interactive fun. Plus, three new thrill rides and a new 500-seat air-conditioned food court! |
1998 |
Premier Parks, Inc. purchases Six Flags Theme Parks and expands the brand to Denver. Elitch Gardens becomes Six Flags Elitch Gardens. |
1999 |
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2000 |
Six Flags Elitch Gardens opens for its 110th season, celebrating years of fun spanning three centuries! |
2001 |
Six Flags Elitch Gardens adds the all-new Spring Concert Series with amazing local and national talent in every musical genre. And thrill-seekers delight in Batman and Robin’s all-new, suspenseful Gotham City Carnival of Chaos stunt show. |
2002 |
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2003 |
Six Flags Elitch Gardens is rocking! In 2003, Six Flags Elitch Gardens offers bigger and better spring and fall concert series. Major stars performing at the Universal Lending Pavilion on the grounds of Pepsi Center delight Six Flags guests. |
2004 |
Who needs snow to ride a snowboard? Six Flags Elitch Gardens adds Half Pipe — the first of its kind in North America. Guests can now spin countless 360s on a gigantic snowboard while cruising up and down a 100-foot tall halfpipe. The Half Pipe is no hype! |
2005 |
Island Kingdom Water Park expands with the addition of EDGE. This four-story water ride sends water adventurers blasting down more than four stories at a vertical angle. The massive slide gives fearless fun-seekers the thrill of “free falling” before they race up at breath-taking speeds to the edge of the other side. Then, riders plunge back and forth on more than a thousand gallons of swirling water before splashing into the relaxing Castaway Creek. |
2006 |
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2007 |
CNL Properties purchased Elitch Gardens from Six Flags and retained PARC to manage the park. They dropped the Six Flags brand and went back to Elitch Gardens. |
2011 |
Herschend Family Entertainment (HFE) assumes management of the park. The history of Elitch Gardens and HFE have much in common and the park benefits from many new initiatives. |
2012 |
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2013 |
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2014 |
Brain Drain, the All-New 7 Story Steel, Looping Thrill Ride is introduced. Free concerts are |
2015 |
Elitch Gardens celebrates 125 years of fun! SlideZilla, the all new 6-story Hydro-Beast joins the |
2017 |
Two new thrill rides added - one wet and one wild. In the theme park, Star Flyer, On this extreme swing ride, 48 guests sit two across in |
2019 |
NEW RIDE! Take a ride on the wild side...of Art. Meow Wolf's Kaleidoscape is a mind-bending journey ![]() unlike any other. Join us on an odyssey of creative discovery through immersive art landscapes. Meow Wolf’s Kaleidoscape is not a rollercoaster. It’s a thrill ride for the mind. The newest installation from the brains behind House of Eternal Return takes passengers on an interactive, artist-driven journey. |
History timeline compiled with the assistance of Betty Hull, Elitch Gardens historian and author of “Denver’s Elitch Gardens, Spinning a Century of Dreams.” Her book can be found at Tattered Cover bookstores.