Date: 4/7/2026   Time: 5:23:35 PM

Comments: I remember collecting stamps at the local grocery store to pay for admission. So glad this site exists!

Date: 12/14/2025   Time: 3:47:54 PM

Comments: Just found this site and loved the memories. My family lived in Eagar Arizona in the 1960’s as my dad managed the sawmill there. Went to Eagar Elementary (home of the Eagar Beavers!), it was like being raised in Mayberry. Then on to Round Valley High, home of the mighty RVHS Elks, what a life! Traveling to the Valley to go to Legend City was always a thrill. Everything, all the rides, all the entertainment, OMGoodness! Seeing Vonda Kaye Van Dyke in … 1964, ‘65? Man what a memory. Big Surf was another family favorite. I left AZ in 1970 in pursuit of opportunities, but since 2000 I’m back in Tempe with my family and loving life here.
Don’t you feel sad for people who don’t live in Arizona?

Date: 9/18/2025   Time: 12:18:46 AM

Comments: Just found this fabulous website. Too many memories!! Thank you.

Date: 1/31/2024   Time: 2:31:46 AM

Comments: I remember coming to Arizona from Pennsylvania and was taken to Legend City and my cousin and I went out on the paddle boats and because it was so hot and I passed out so my cousin had to paddles us back in herself! Lol I sure do miss that place. I wish someone would buy it and open back up. It was so much fun. We my family and I spent sooo much time there. Things were different then. That was probably 1971. Way back when.

Date: 7/5/2023   Time: 4:30:14 AM

Comments: Worked at Legend City from 1971 to 1975.
Ted Moran, graduated from Arcadia High. It was probably the greatest place fro a kid to work that i can think of. I worked maintenance. My responsibilities where, The Modern Cars, The Antique Cars, The Sky Ride, and The Shooting Gallery. See how everyone would scream now, with a shooting gallery with teal Remington Nylon 66 and live .22 cal ammunition. Great Park— Back when people could have fun

Date: 6/29/2023   Time: 8:01:34 AM

Comments: Happy 60th Anniversary Legend City!

I was there the year it opened and went many times over the entire run of it. My dad worked at the public relations firm for Legend City in the early/mid 70's and he used to let me run all around the park by myself while he had meetings in the executive office.

I went to high school with Ladmo's daughter and lived across the street from Ladmo's toy store in Tempe. Got a Ladmo Bag on the Wallace & Ladmo TV show for my hobby of collecting the little toys that came out of gum machines. I had hundreds of them and the next day at school, everyone called me "Charms". It was worth it. They're actually still sitting next to me on my desk as I write this (the charms, not the idiots from my class). I even worked for the Cappell Brothers traveling carnivals when I was a kid too. Lots of great memories in Arizona.

Phoenix in the 60's and 70's was a very different place than now and very awesome! Compton Terrace, KDKB, the drive-ins, Big Surf, all of it. I was a DJ at KRUX, KZZP and KOOL FM in the late 70's and when my dad worked at KTAR in the 60's, I used to go with him and play on the Romper Room set by myself while he was on the air. I also remember when he hosted the Hollywood world premier of Mackenna's Gold at the Kachina theater in Scottsdale. Years later he would host his own show on KPHO TV 5. His name was Bill Rocz and he entertained countless of Arizonans on both radio and TV for decades.

And so today on Legend City's 60th Anniversary, I honor the great light that Lewis Crandall's park brought to so many people, and it is an honor to leave this message on such a wonderful website dedicated to him and his magical park. I have the Legend City Hardcover right next to me here as well and it it a treasure trove of memories. Thank you for that as well.

Lastly, at this time in history with all that is going on in the world, I would just like to say with all sincerity and humility... peace, love and happiness to us all, my dears. Your friend and Arizona brother always, Bill Rocz Jr.

Date: 4/28/2023   Time: 9:14:09 PM

Comments: Our family moved to Phoenix/Scottsdale in 1962 specifically to help build the park. My dad, Ronald Schenck worked building the park and then worked there after it opened. I was around 12 years old and went to Yavapi and Supi 7th and 8th grade. I also remember going to work with dad at the park on a few days. My dad worked as the maintenance manager or foreman and later was rides manager under Bob Rice. Was a long time ago but have many memories of going to the park several times. The river ride and the mine ride were some of the best, also the Coca Cola Palace Salon. The park probably failed for several reasons - Spent too much during construction and then tried to open the park during the hottest part of the day. Nobody wanted to go to an amusement park when it was 110 degrees outside. Should have changed hours to later in the day and opened until late night. They did not make good changes until it was too late. My dad left the park in the fall of 1964 and we moved back to Iowa.

Date: 10/2/2022   Time: 4:28:54 AM

Comments: i lived in buckeye when i got to go to legend city. there was a wallace and ladmo show that day.com i only got to go once but it was a blast
ed

Date: 6/24/2022   Time: 5:14:22 AM

Comments: My family lived 2 miles north of the park (Hy-View neighborhood) so it was easy for us to visit the park on a regular basis (we were 10 to 14 years of age). My favorite ride, (and I don't remember the name) was a circular ride that went backwards. The song mostly played was "Wooly Bully" by Sam the Sham and The Pharaohs. But what I really was pleased to see was the photo of Sgt. Dave and an audio recording of the River Ride. I had the pleasure of knowing the real Dave when we attended the Phoenix Regional Police Academy in July 1973. During breaks Dave would do his River Ride spiel and it was always a hit. You'd have to see him perform it in person to really appreciate his performance. The audio recording is great but just not the same. Legend City was the perfect place for a young person to have fun and meet your friends. Hi Dave 221 from 220.

Date: 2/18/2022   Time: 9:55:03 PM

Comments: Great website! Thank you for maintaining this history for us to enjoy.

Date: 2/12/2022   Time: 9:09:35 PM

Comments: I work for U-Haul and just learned about this amusement park. Never thought a moving company could own an amusement park. I guess the saying is true, we learn something new every day!

Date: 12/22/2021   Time: 8:34:53 PM

Comments: I am Cindy who was the other half of the "Mighty Midget" with Jeannie and performed at Legend City and the Wallace & Ladmo show. Would love to find Jeannie again. Please let me know if there is an email where she can be reached. Thanks!!

Date: 5/17/2021   Time: 5:19:35 AM

Comments: Wow, found this while reminiscing. My name is Jeannie and I am the original "mighty midget. Cindy was my stage partner We performed every weekend in the Saloon.
A huge hello to our fans.

Date: 12/23/2020   Time: 7:53:12 AM

Comments: when my sister's boyfriend wanted to take her out but she was always babysitting us little siblings, he finally said bring them along and we'll go to Legend City. We rode the train around the circuit, and I saw the last living specimen of an extinct species. An Honest-to-God BUFFALO! I'd been told they were all gone, wiped out a hundred years before. I will never forget that day.

Date: 12/19/2020   Time: 3:30:30 PM

Comments: Enjoyed Legend City in Jr. High and High School in the early 70's. Arizona is the 5th Largest City. When are we going to Re-Create a Legend City Version of Six Flaggs???
After this Pandemic of 2020 we need to Gift out city and it's residence with an Amusement Park.
Come on Governor Ducey. What do you say????

Date: 3/4/2020   Time: 3:23:14 AM

Comments: Such precious and special memories...the most magical place ever!

Date: 3/3/2020   Time: 4:18:01 AM

Comments: Such good memories. Spent so many weekends at Legend City. Totally Loved it there. Watched Wallace and Ladmo every day!I was heart broken when they decided to close it down. Time to bring the magic of Legend City back!

Date: 2/13/2020   Time: 7:06:53 AM

Comments: Nice. Thanks.2/18/2020

Date: 11/19/2019   Time: 9:15:29 PM

Comments: I am so glad this site exists. I have fond memories of Legend City as a kid. It was the best. Not only did I enjoy it as a kid, but I have a family connection to this wonderful place. My Dad sang bass in The Coppertones, so my trips to the park were plenty. :) I'm sad to say he passed away in July of 18 from a short bout with liver cancer. So the intro track and the music is extra special now. Dad went on to a very lengthy radio career in Phoenix and LA before retiring. During the radio days he spent some time singing in the Phabulous Phoenicians. He loved to sign and perform. Thank you for this site and I hope it brings plenty of joy and great memories for all who visit. Thank you, David Zorn... davezorn72@gmail.com

Date: 7/26/2019   Time: 1:19:23 PM

Comments: This site is online gold. Great memories. My father worked security here for years. I was lucky enough to get a pass on the weekend to roam the park. Memories for me was the train. We were family friends with stuntman Ron Nix which performed shows at Legend City in the 70's. The haunted fun house, the bumper cars, the log ride, LOST DUTCHMAN ride!! I just recently found a Legend City 25 cent coin in magnificent condition which spurred me to look for Legend City memories. ..and here i am. Peace to all the kids of the 80's.11/17/2019

Date: 7/23/2019   Time: 2:41:57 AM

Comments: I can’t believe I found this site talking about Legend City. So many great memories. Saw my first concert at Compton Terrace. The Cars. I went on the Wallace and Ladmo show. I entered a contest to name the newest rollercoaster. I named it The Sidewinder. They named it that and I won a year season pass that included food,drinks, and bring a friend day pass. Unfortunately my parents never let me go after people died on the Zipper and the Mad Mouse roller coaster, and shortly after that they closed because of lawsuits and the cost of insurance is what was reported in the mews. I was so mad.

Date: 7/18/2019   Time: 1:05:38 PM

Comments: Great site!! Loved Legend City!!

Date: 11/13/2018   Time: 10:39:37 PM

Comments: I'm looking for the following people who were in the band at Legend City. If you know any of them please have them email me. Fred Maynard, Ben Wood, Don Muller, Eddie Fallon or Don Strawbridge. jshraggej@gmail.com7/18/2019

Date: 10/6/2018   Time: 7:37:40 AM

Comments: At one time before Bill Capell bought and re-opened Legend City, my brother and I had a meeting with the then owners and his company offered us the entire park and contents, rides and all for the price of only 1 million dollars cash. We didn't have that much money so had to pass up the good deal. Capell bought it for 1.25 mil and later sold part of to Compton Terrace and later the rest to SRP for over 11 million for the land value. We always think about what we had to pass up and cry.

Date: 8/27/2018   Time: 7:09:10 PM

Comments: I have fond memories of this place. Thanks for creating this website to remind me of happy moments of my childhood

Date: 6/27/2018   Time: 9:47:38 PM

Comments: This is FABULOUS. Just stumbled upon this site via the wiki. Such great memories of all-access nights there, back when the intoxicating smell of orange blossoms still hung heavily over the Valley of the Sun. Phoenix in the '70s—the only way I want to remember it! Looking forward to combing through later (I still have a plastic tumbler; it's now a beloved potting soil scoop). Love it when people preserve stuff like this on the web, what a find, thank you! –Kim

Date: 6/22/2018   Time: 6:33:31 PM

Comments: Had fun in late 60's and early1970's there. Great website.

Date: 4/11/2018   Time: 4:25:57 AM

Comments: I was soooooooo hoping you guys would have the one park map that im looking for. but of course you have them all BUT that one. Its the map from like the early '70's that showed a big wooden roller coaster as "future attraction" over where Comptan Terrace would eventually go. Any chance you have a pic of that or know where i can find it?

Date: 3/12/2018   Time: 11:41:39 PM

Comments: Looking to buy anything legend city or wallace and ladmo related. Please send email and pics if possible. Thank you.

Date: 11/25/2017   Time: 5:42:21 AM

Comments: Legend City was a Great place. It opened on my 10th Birthday. We, that is My Siblings & I, knew the Park quite well by then, because we spent time there with our Dad, who was a Special Services Division Employee for the Coca-Cola Company.

He spent a lot of time there assembling Coca-Cola dispensing equipment in the various concession stands & places like the Golden Palace Saloon.

In fact there is a very good Picture of Our hard workin' Dad (Len Boss) on top left of the Golden Palace Saloon Page, pushing a Hand Truck stacked with Coca-Cola Pre-Mix Tanks to his Coke Truck which is parked in front of the "Golden Palace Saloon... See for Yourself.

Wayne Boss
Sr. Fire Prevention Specialist II- Phoenix Fire Dept. (Retired)

Date: 8/11/2017   Time: 3:07:31 AM

Comments: Legend City was a place to take visitors, from out of state. I wish it could be brought back. Today we need some of this type of family entertainment. What an amazing place to spend the day. Thank you for sharing! We keep losing our history! A wonderful gift for those of us who remember.
Ruth Hoover

Date: 6/9/2017   Time: 5:56:42 AM

Comments: I also wish I would have been able to experience this park in its prime. I was born just a bit too late. It looks amazing and I can tell the pictures you have up are drenched in memories.

Date: 5/31/2017   Time: 10:36:40 PM

Comments: I grew up in AZ and my family went to Legend City all the time. I remember that they used to have concerts there too. I am pretty sure I have seen Kool and the Gang there lol! Legend city has a great special place in my heart and I have great memories of that place. It would be great if some investors could restore it to at least an outside venue and/museum. Good times!

Stella

Date: 4/7/2017   Time: 11:45:28 PM

Comments: Wonderful commemorative page. I seem to recall association with Looney Tunes and having some of their characters occasionally wandering around too. They should have stayed open year round. They were always busy---far busier than Tombstone and a better deal, yet Tombstone lives. From what I understand, their first season was a massive failure and they struggled to stay open thereafter. One of their best features was just paying admission rather than the ticket books like Disney.

There is an amusement park planned for the intersection of I-8 and I-10. The middle of nowhere. Terrible idea.

Date: 12/28/2016   Time: 10:31:28 AM

Comments: I grew up going to Legend City. As a child enjoying the park with my family. Teen years with friends and concerts at Compton terrace in high school and beyond.
From Wallace & Ladmo to Stevie Nicks popping in to do a song or two and surprising fans during Rock concert. Great memories for me at Legend City/Compton Terrace... Thank you so much for those special memories!

Date: 9/23/2016   Time: 1:50:47 AM

Comments: Oh WOW!!! I was thinking about my Dad tonight and came across your site. Noticed my older sister Mimi had left a comment about our Dad Frank LaVigne being one of the designers of Legend city. I was there on opening day also in a stroller at the age of two. As I got older I remember my father saying how proud he was to have been one of the designers for the park. I have slides from opening day if anyone is interested? Congrats on celebrating such a fun place to remember! Brent R. LaVigne

Date: 7/14/2016   Time: 6:21:34 AM

Comments: Great memories seeing Def Leppard there for their Pyromania tour in September 1983, they were the headliner. Fans were so excited they pushed against the stage and Joe Elliott had to stop in the middle of a song to calm the crowd. They finally left the stage and said they would not come back until the crowd moved back, people up front were getting smashed and passing out. They sent dozens of ambulances and medical staff to help out until everyone finally moved back. Def Leppard came out and absolutely put on an unbelievable show, definitely made me a fan for life. They were one of the best live bands I have ever seen...wow the memories.

Date: 7/9/2016   Time: 4:42:56 PM

Comments: I have wondered what happened to the old Chaparral race course. I have fond memories of that place. I found out about it through one of those promotional cards at a hotel, and thought it would be fun. Well it was! That course was WAY more challenging than I thought. They had a "special" giving you 15 laps for the price of 10, so of course I went for it. I was SO sore when I got out of that car! I couldn't believe how challenging it was, you really had to work hard to get a decent time. At that time they even had a more "advanced" car you could drive if you got good enough times. I never did while I was in town. I miss that place. But times have changed and I can't wait to take on some of the newer E-Karting courses. Auto racing is my favorite sport! Thanks for keeping that memory alive!

Date: 4/15/2016   Time: 4:21:04 PM

Comments: E-MAIL FOR ALL INFORMATION CONCERNING MUSIC GROUPS WHO PLAYED AT LEGEND CITY/COMPTON TERRACE/ENCANTO BANDSHELL FROM 1966-1976 PLEASE REACH ME AT ricardo.rocchio@gmail.com .....HAPPY TRAILS

Date: 4/15/2016   Time: 3:35:53 PM

Comments: BOY HOWDY; TALK ABOUT THE WAYBACK MACHINE PEABODY...DOES ANYONE REMEMBER MOST OF THE MUSIC GROUPS FROM THE EARLIEST TO THE END. IM TRYING TO COMPILE A LIST OF THE CONCERT MUSICAL CHRONOLOGY (ORDER) FOR LEGEND CITY AND BIG SURF. I REMEMBER AT LEGEND CITY HEARING ALL THE BANDS FROM RARE EARTH TO JOE WALSH.....I JUST NEED TO KNOW THE ARTIST/BAND ROCK-N-ROLL HISTORY FROM THE ENCANTO BANDSHELL THROUGH THE COMPTON TERRACE YEARS UP TILL 1980......THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WONDERFUL MEMORIES.....HAPPY TRIALS

Date: 1/25/2016   Time: 5:21:52 AM

Comments: The email for the uniforms is jshragge@cox.net.

Date: 1/25/2016   Time: 5:19:10 AM

Comments: I have some of the old band uniforms from LC. If you are interested or know anyone who may be interested contact me. Some of the names in the uniforms are Harold Simms, Eddie Fallon, Fred Maynard, Don Keller, and Dan Strawberry.

Date: 11/7/2015   Time: 1:53:08 AM

Comments: Worked there the last 3 years for Barbara Capell in the Mexican Village and the Pit Stop. Was such a great place. Went to many concerts at Compton Terrace and worked some of them. So many memories will definitely go to the exhibit. I still have some of my stuff from there cups, key chains, etc.HW

Date: 10/24/2015   Time: 2:38:04 PM

Comments: Looking forward to the museum exhibit!

Date: 8/22/2015   Time: 1:27:10 PM

Comments: WOW SAW THIS BY ACCIDENT !
I WAS VISITING MY RELATIVES IN SCOTTSDALE 1981 WHEN I WAS 13 OR SO
THEY TOOK ME HERE IT WAS A GREAT PLACE
I RAN AROUND ALL DAY AND WENT TO EVERY RIDE
JIMMY DALELIO BOSTON, MA. AUG. 201510/23/2015

Date: 8/7/2015   Time: 10:49:48 AM

Comments: Loved this place! Great hang out for kids. The ultimate baby sitter. I still have a Legend City Bumper sticker on one of my small tool boxes!

Date: 7/30/2015   Time: 2:12:50 PM

Comments: The Tempe History Museum is preparing a Legend City exhibit that is scheduled to open in November 2015. They are looking for donations or loans of memorabilia and photos, and for people to do oral histories about Legend City experiences. Contact the museum for more information 480-350-5100. http://www.tempe.gov/city-hall/community-services/tempe-history-museum/contact-us

Submitted by Jerry Gantt, LC employee 1970 - 1974.

Date: 7/26/2015   Time: 8:55:14 PM

Comments: I remember being about 6 or 7 and being aloud to operate a little skeeter boat with a small outboard motor around the park by myself without any type of direct supervision. I did not drown, crash, fall out and chop myself up on the motor, nothing. And i remembered this my whole life as being the most fun a kid can ever have.

Date: 7/14/2015   Time: 7:25:05 PM

Comments: Anybody have any legend city items for sale. Money isn't a problem if you have anything. Please email me at mikeyrs_85053@yahoo.com

Date: 6/28/2015   Time: 6:21:21 PM

Comments: I grew up in Gilbert and went to Legend City in the early 80's. Wish it was still there so I could take my kids now. Great memories!