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    QueenCityMotorsports.com
    LAGOON AMUSEMENT PARK
    QueenCityMotorsports.com
    Page Notes: QueenCityMotorsports.com hopes to find more detailed information about the Lagoon Amusement Motodrome track.

    Last Updated (2/8/08)
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    Lagoon Amusement Park
    Lagoon Amusement Park sign (Kenton County Library-Photo)

    Lagoon Amusement Park
    Satellite photo showing the location (in red) of the Lagoon Amusement Park (Google Earth-Photo)

    Brief Track History
    Track:  Defeunct - 1/4 Mile, also is listed as a 1/3 Mile, Motodrome Board Track for Motorcycle racing.
    Track Location: Track was located at the Lagoon Amusement Park on the eastern edge of Ludlow, Kentucky. The Park entrance was located on what is today Laurel Street between Park Avenue and Lake Street.
    Brief Park History: The Lagoon Amusement Park opened in 1895 with its main attraction being the Lake that was created by damming the Pleasant Run Creek. Other Park additions included a Clubhouse, Lagoon Dance Pavilion, Rides and a 2,500 seat amphitheater. Several things happened between 1913 and 1920 that spelled the end of the popular Park. The flood of 1913 damaged much of the Lagoon's facilities. 1913 also saw the construction of a 1/4 mile board Motodrome for Motorcycle racing. At a race on July 30, 1913, one rider and nine spectators were killed when the cycle of Odin Johnson left the track, hit a light pole igniting a fire that spread throughout the grandstand. Over 100 people were treated for burns and many lawsuits arose out of the tragedy. In 1915 the Park was heavily damaged by a tornado. Then the First World War was the final blow, as Prohibition put and end to the sale of beer at the Park. The Lagoon Amusement Park closed its doors for good after the 1918 season. Three Ludlow streets have names associated with the former Ludlow Lagoon Amusement Park. Lake Street is named for the Lagoon Lake that is located to the west of the street. Lagoon Avenue takes its name from its proximity to the lake. Park Avenue named for being the location of the Park.
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    Fatalities
    Wednesday June 30, 1913 | Motorcycle Rider Odin Johnson; Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah
    Motorcycle Rider Odin Johnson died after his Motorcycle crashed into an Gas Lamp post, igniting fuel from the gas tank, causing a fire that took the life of Odin as well as nine spectators, Henry Andrews (age 15, Cincinati, Ohio), Ethel Buchtman (age 20, Covington, Kentucky), Malinda Buchtman, Michael Carney (Lima, Ohio), James Carter (age 80, Cincinnati, Ohio), William Davis (age 5, Ludlow, Kentucky), Herman Davis (age 15, Cincinnati, Ohio), Louisa Michaels (age 30, Ludlow, Kentucky) and William Patterson (age 39,  Cincinnati, Ohio).
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