Kursaal

The Kursaal is a Grade II listed building in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England, which opened in 1901 as part of one of the world's first purpose-built amusement parks. The venue is noted for the main building with distinctive dome, designed by Campbell Sherrin, which has featured on a Royal Mail special edition stamp.HistoryFounding as Marine Park (1894)The Kursaal site was opened in 1894 by father and son Alfred and Bernard Wiltshire Tollhurst on four acres of land purchased the previous year, as the 'Marine Park and Gardens'. In July 1901 they opened a grand entrance pavilion, the Kursaal Palace, designed by George Sherrin and John Clarke, containing a circus, ballroom, arcade, dining hall and billiard room. The word Kursaal is German, meaning a "Cure Hall" or spa, and it seems to have been adapted to mean a place of healthy amusement. Southend's Kursaal became the largest fairground in the south of England.Luna Park (1910)The owner of the park, Kursaal Ltd, was liquidated following financial crises but the park continued to run. Eventually in 1910 the Kursaal was bought by Luna Park and Palace of Amusements (Southend) Ltd, which had been registered on 14 March 1910 by William Hilton. The park was renamed accordingly to Luna Park, and Hilton became the Managing Director of the park. Hilton opened a large list of attractions, including the Harton Scenic Railway and Figure of Eight roller coasters, a miniature railway, Astley's circus and a cinema.Luna Park was claiming 100,000 visitors per week, however a June 1911 fire destroyed two of the park's most notable attractions, the Joy Wheel and the Figure of Eight Railway Coaster. By 1912 trustees had taken over Hilton's company, and the Luna Park Company was dissolved in 1915.