Plaque in front of reflecting pool

GreatAmerica4ever · Post by **GreatAmerica4ever** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 7:16 am

Can anyone tell me what the plaque in front of the reflecting pool of the Columbia actually said when Marriot owned the parks? Are they different 30 years later? Does anyone have a more legible picture of them?

I do not think I ever stopped to read the plaque, but would like to know what it said/says.

Thanks!!

customfabricators · Post by **customfabricators** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 8:09 am

Which plaque? The one about the carousel, or something else.

Here is the one about the carousel.....

http://www.freewebs.com/columbiacarousel/IM000218.JPG

GreatAmerica4ever · Post by **GreatAmerica4ever** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 9:17 am

No, not that one. It was nice to reread that sign about the Carousel.

I am interested in the plaque that is in front of the reflecting pool just as you enter the entrance gates. There is a pic in the photo album, but it is illegible.

I believe Gurnee still has one, I do not know about Santa Clara.

Thanks

customfabricators · Post by **customfabricators** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 10:41 am

The only plaque that is in front on the reflection pond is in the pond itself. It reads something to the effect of...

SIX FLAGS GREAT AMERICA

All money collected
from this reflection
pool is donated to
a local charity

jonrev · Post by **jonrev** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 1:51 pm

Exactly.

GreatAmerica4ever · Post by **GreatAmerica4ever** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 2:59 pm

That's it?!??! I thought it would be more of a dedication or something like that. I mean its a metal plaque, like it is supposed to be more meaningful about the park.

Did the plaque say the same thing in the Marriott era?

customfabricators · Post by **customfabricators** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 4:16 pm

Beats me. This little sign sits on a stone base IN the pool.

There is no other signage there.

jonrev · Post by **jonrev** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 4:37 pm

GreatAmerica4ever wrote:That's it?!??! I thought it would be more of a dedication or something like that. I mean its a metal plaque, like it is supposed to be more meaningful about the park.

Did the plaque say the same thing in the Marriott era?

No. If you look at some of the Columbia photos here you'll see there is no stone thing or plaque in the pond.

http://www.greatamericaparks.com/sg/rid ... bia002.jpg

GreatAmerica4ever · Post by **GreatAmerica4ever** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 4:49 pm

This is the pic in the photo section that shows PGA's sign in front of the pool. I know SFGAm has one and Marriott's definitely have one.

What did it say when Marriott ownder the parks?

Kings Entertainment Sign at Columbia Carousel
This sign was placed at the foot of the reflection pool when Kings Entertainment owned the park. It reads "Kings Entertainment Company Great America Mission: To make people happy by providing fun, excitement, and memorable experiences... and to take them away from the realities of the day-to-day world."

soupkid · Post by **soupkid** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 10:40 am

I believe the one in Santa Clara had something to do with the Carousel. It was at the base of the reflecting pond just across from the entrance gates. It's exact wording I couldn't say.

RLAiello · Post by **RLAiello** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 9:57 pm

There never was a plaque when Marriott owned the parks. Santa Clara's plaque was installed after the parks were sold, and Gurnee's plaque was installed only a few years ago or so.

dave210 · Post by **dave210** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:11 pm

I can say in 1983 when the park was still owned by Marriott, there was in fact a plaque in front of the pond as seen in my picture in the foreground...what it says though, I don't know.

http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo ... 8411TztUKh

Post by **steven** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 12:22 am

Yes, there were plaques when the parks were still Marriott. For the answer to the question about what the original plaques said, go here and scroll down to the post with the photo in it.

Steven

GreatAmerica4ever · Post by **GreatAmerica4ever** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 7:47 am

Thanks, Steven, i knew you would be the prime source for this information!!!

I must say that the plaque wording is absolutely fitting for the Marriott era in the parks. It really proved what a special place Great America was and how carefully planned the theme park came to be!

As I said, I remember the plaque there as a kid, but I don't think I ever remember reading it. Sometimes I wish it was 1977 for a moment again!

RLAiello · Post by **RLAiello** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 1:47 pm

Wow... color me wrong!

But when I worked there, I never saw a plaque there. So it was probably removed after Six Flags bought the park.