History of Palisades
by Chris2003
In 1898 a trolley park was formed high above the New Jersey
Palisades. The 38 acre property was purchased by the
Bergen County Trolley Co.. The park was located in the towns of Cliffside Park and Fort
Lee. In 1907 the park was sold to the first mayor of Cliffside Park, August Neumann. In
1908 Alvin H. Dexter was hired by Neumann. Dexter promised to add rides and attractions.
He also added lights, food, and entertainment. They opened a Dance Floor and an Open Air
Theater. The next year Dexter died and once again the park was sold. This time it was
purchased by two brothers, Joseph and Nicholas Schenck. The brothers improved the park and
added many new rides. They added 5 roller coasters, Sleigh Ride Coaster/Toboggan Racer,
The Big Scenic Railway, Thriller/Comet, Traver Cyclone and the Skyrocket. One of Harry
Traver's "Triplet" Cyclone coasters was at Palisades although many people were
scared to ride this coaster and it was soon demolished for low ridership and maintenance
problems. The Thriller also known as the Comet was built by Harry Baker and John Miller in
1921, It was soon replaced with the Skyrocket. The brothers also added the World's Largest
Salt  Water Pool
known as "Surf Bathing" or "The Whirlpool." The brothers started many
famous contests. In 1934 the park was leased to another pair of brothers. They were
Jack and Irving Rosenthal. The Rosenthals were responsible for building the Coney Island
Cyclone. Jack was the eldest. In 1935, when the Schenck brothers got caught up in
the movie industry and found no need for Palisades, so they sold out to the Rosenthal
brothers. The Rosenthals' improved the Park and brought the point to become known as
"The World's Greatest Amusement Resort." During a fire in 1944 the Skyrocket was
damaged in a fire caused by nearby Virginia Reel Ride. Most of the track was ruined. It
marked the 3rd time the Skyrocket was destroyed by fire. The park hired the
Philadelphia Toboggan Company and Joseph McKee to help rebuild it. This time they built a
whole new design to the Skyrocket's remaining tracks. After rebuilt and redesigned the new
coaster was renamed the Cyclone after Traver's Cyclone and open for the 1945 season.
McKee also built another coaster called the Giant Coaster. It was a much smaller coaster
compared to the Cyclone. Jack soon died of Parkinson's disease. Irving became the sole owner of the
park. The park became more popular due to Irving's Advertising. They made deals with many
comic companies like DC Comics, Archie Comics and many other huge companies such as
Hostess. But since more people came due to Irving's advertising, there were traffic jams
caused by a shortage of parking areas. Cliffside Park and Fort Lee decided to hold meeting
to re-zone the Park. Rosenthal would not give in, he refused to sell his park. Finally,
Rosenthal in his 70's could not keep working with no children or relatives to pass the
park to, so he sold the it to a company based Texas. This company was Centrex Winston. The
park was rezoned and later closed. Pieces of rides were sold everywhere. The Cyclone
rollercoaster was later bulldozed and the park was just a bunch of memories. For anyone
who ever been to Palisades they know it was a wonderful place. It died out but will never
be forgotten.
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