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Ruskin Park The history of Ruskin Park goes back to the early 1900s when the land was initially used for picnics and celebrations. Eventually a dance pavilion was built, followed by ball diamonds, a race track, stables for horses, a grandstand, boats, cabins and even a movie theatre. Its location on the James River near Forestburg created a natural setting. Both trains and buses brought visitors to the complex.The dance pavilion was operated by Walter and Dagmar Siegenthaler from 1954 to 1967 and hosted such entertainers as Conway Twitty, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bobby Vee, Myron Lee, and many others. Dagmar closed the park in 1968 after the death of her husband. The buildings are now gone but the wonderful memories live on. |
