....development and ultimate demise of this popular civic attraction. ....early grounds with luxurious garden, and the local trolley that would deliver passengers to this still scenic destination, accompanied by several views of riders boarding in downtown Butte Montana for the short journey, along with images of the celebrations that accompanied it's opening around 1899. Photographs showing the first buildings on the site, then growing as the community grew, becoming a spectacular attraction for tourist to visit with their families, as well as some more famous individuals and dignitaries. During the 1940s, bands such as Henry Busse and His Orchestra, Sully Mann and His Orchestra, Gus Arheim and His Orchestra, and Tommy Dorsey and His Record-Makin'-Record-Breakin' Orchestra performed at the pavilion. The 1950s attracted the music of Harry James and His Musicmakers, Sammy Kaye and His Music Makers, Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians and the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, and although there are photographs of band members in uniform, sadly none are identified by name. The tremendous Columbia Gardens Roller Coaster was built in 1906 as a three level side friction coaster, then was reduced in size to two levels in 1918. The park's other rides included Bi-Planes, a Ferris Wheel, and the famous Carousel which was considered the "crowned jewel" since it was designed by Allen Herschel in 1928. The park also had a popular dance pavilion that first opened in May, 1908 with a "grand opening ball" to commemorate the occasion, and the pavilion became well known for dances, as well as a number of other community events, including barbeques, high school commencement ceremonies, art festivals, political banquets catered civic luncheons, and convention dinners. Many improvements were eventually made to the park and a "free recreational center with emphasis on children" was maintained, thus there are numerous photographs of people playing, swimming and generally enjoying themselves. The park never had an admission fee for children and kept it that way. For many years, the beautiful park was well loved and enjoyed by many patrons both young and old. It was a special place where adults could congregate and where children could enjoy hours riding the Carousel or the Roller Coaster. Included among the images are assorted aerial views of the grounds, as well as a few vintage new paper clippings recalling the happy days of yesteryear, before the park was closed after Labor Day 1973, so that the minerals underneath it could be extracted. The remains of the park were later ravaged by a mysterious fire.