1928-1983 Pontchartrain Beach

Originally at Spanish Fort, Pontchartrain Beach moved to the Milneburg (now U.N.O.) area in 1928. For 55 years, Pontchartrain Beach was the annual summertime destination for many New Orleanians but was for 'whites only' until the mid 1960s (Linclon Beach served Black residents from 1955-65).

Many older New Orleans referred to Pontchartrain Beach as 'Milenburg'--the common mispronuncian of 'Milneburg'.

Click Here to hear a Pontchartrain Beach radio commercial from the early 1960s (found on Bob Walkers website).

1959 - The Bali Hai was The Beach Comber

A 1959 CERAMIC POLYNESIAN DRINK CUP FROM "THE BEACH BEACH-COMER" AT PONTCHARTRAIN BEACH. THE "BEACH-COMER EXISTED FOR ONLY ONE YEAR (I'M TOLD) BEFORE BEING RE-NAMED "THE BALI-HAI. Look closely at this glass (as opposed to the one below it) to see that "Beach-Comer" was later replaced with "Bali-Hai".

Bali Hai Glass

A simulated Bamboo drinking glass from the Bali-Hai.

1920's Postcard

At this time Pontchartrain Beach was located at Spanish Fort.

1940s Postcard

1940s Postcard

1941

1940 Kropp Postcard

1940s Linen Postcard

Postcard- Aerial View

1958 - Laff In The Dark

Chrome postcard, postmarked 1958. 3 cent stamp and writing on back. Back side description: "The Gay Midway, Pontchartrain Beach, New Orleans, Louisiana. One of the most modern and extensive amusement parks in the country, on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain where both beach bathing and fresh water swimming pool are available."

1960s - The Gay Midway

1960s

1960s MINIATURE GOLF COURSE postcard

BACK OF CARD HAS PRINTED IN SMALL TYPE "AROUND THE WORLD IN 18 HOLES, PONTCHARTRAIN BEACH NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, ONE OF THE MOST NOVEL AND PICTURESQUE MINIATURE GOLF COURSES IN THE COUNTRY IS THIS POPULAR ATTRACTION AT PONTCHARTRAIN BEACH. EACH HOLE IS DESIGNED TO REPRESENT A GLAMOROUS FOREIGN LAND COLOR BY BOB GLANDER". "DIST. BY EXPRESS PUBLISHING CO., INC., METAIRIE, LA, KASTICHROME BY COLOURPICTURE, BOSTON, MASS. 02130.

1960s - The Bug

60s Bug Ride--the oldest ride at the Beach--pre-dates the opening and was brought to New Orleans from another amusement park. MIDWAY RIDES BUG AND SPACE WHIRL NEW ORLEANS CIRCA 1960'S BACK OF CARD HAS PRINTED IN SMALL TYPE "THE BUG AND SPACE WHIRL THRILL RIDES, PONTCHARTRAIN BEACH NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, COMBINING THE BEST OF THE NEWEST AMUSEMENT PARK THRILL RIDES, THE GAYWAY AT PONTCHARTRAIN BEACH PROVIDES ENTERTAINMENT FOR ALL AGES. COLOR BY BOB GLANDER". DIST. BY EXPRESS PUBLISHING CO., INC., METAIRIE, LA, KASTICHROME BY COLOURPICTURE, BOSTON, MASS. 02130.

1960s FERRIS WHEEL

BACK OF CARD HAS PRINTED IN SMALL TYPE "A GAY WORLD OF COLORFUL THRILLS, PONTCHARTRAIN BEACH NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, BRILLIANT LIGHTING EFFECTS AND COLORFUL DECORATION MAKE THE GAYWAY OF PONTCHARTRAIN BEACH A DREAM WORLD OF FUN THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER SEASON. COLOR BY BOB GLANDER". "DIST. BY EXPRESS PUBLISHING CO., METAIRIE, LA. KASTICHROME BY COLOURPICTURE, BOSTON, MASS. 02130.

1960s HAUNTED HOUSE MANSION

BACK OF CARD HAS PRINTED IN SMALL TYPE "EERIE WONDERS ABOUND IN THE HAUNTED HOUSE, PONTCHARTRAIN BEACH NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, THE HAUNTED HOUSE AT PONTCHARTRAIN BEACH IS THE NEWEST OF THREE "FUN HOUSES' THAT HAVE BEEN LANDMARKS IN THE HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS' NOTED AMUSEMENT PARK. COLOR BY BOB GLANDER". "DIST. BY EXPRESS PUBLISHING CO., INC., METAIRIE, LA, KASTICHROME BY COLOURPICTURE, BOSTON, MASS. 02130.

1970s Haunted House

1960'S Midway

NOTICE THE JAX BEER SIGN IN BACKGROUND. BACK OF CARD HAS PRINTED IN SMALL TYPE "FUNSEEKERS FROLIC ON GAYWAY, PONTCHARTRAIN BEACH NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, SINCE 1939 PONTCHARTRAIN BEACH HAS BEEN THE MECCA FOR OUTDOOR SUMMER FUN IN NEW ORLEANS. IT IS LOCATED AT ELYSIAN FIELDS AVENUE AND LAKESHORE DRIVE. COLOR BY BOB GLANDER." "DIST. BY EXPRESS PUBLISHING CO., INC., METAIRIE, LA, KASTICHROME BY COLOUR PICTURE, BOSTON, MASS. 02130.

Zephyr Top Now

The top of the Zephyr--now residing next to the Kenner City Hall on Williams Blvd. Source: Ed Branley Virtually New Orleans - Feature Photo of the Week, May 27, 1996 The Zephyr Rollercoaster (or, rather, what's left of it) http://www.yatcom.com/neworl/naborhud/kenner/zephyrtop.jpg

1940s Brochure

1940s Brochure reverse side

1980s poster

1983 print

(1500 issued) by Randy McGovern. The print is appx. 15 1/2 by 12 1/2in.

Entrance--date unknow

1930s Tin Sign

1958 Ticket

1958 ticket says "This ticket is redeemable at any Merchandise Store, Ride, Amusement Game, Restaurant, Food or Confection Stand at Pontchartrain Beach, New Orleans, Louisiana. "