1

Entrance Gates

The main gates at carnivals and amusement parks were the passage way between the real world and something more magical. Jack Ray's gate designs were bright, modern, bold and fun.

The entrance gate was not always a part of carnivals and amusement parks. They were added to generate revenue. Originally they were met with resistance but it did improve the bottom line. Gates had to be special to draw people through them.

2

A Conklin Show's midway at night. "Ernie and Len" show to the right.
1933-1937
Conklin Shows
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
North American Carnival Museum and Archives (NACMA)

3

Princes' Gate entrance to the Canadian National Exhibition.
1927
Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Canadian National Exhibition Association

4

"Sally Show" entrance, architectural sketch by Jack Ray.
1941-1946
Conklin Shows, Frolic-Land
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
North American Carnival Museum and Archives (NACMA)
John C. (Jack) Ray
Jennifer Walker
Jean Walker

5

Proposed "Frolic-land" front gate by midway designer Jack Ray.
1941-1946
Fair for Britain, Riverdale Park, Toronto, Ontario
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
North American Carnival Museum and Archives (NACMA)
John C. (Jack) Ray
Jennifer Walker

6

Arcade gate at the Canadian National Exhibition, designed by Jack Ray.
1941-1946
Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
North American Carnival Museum and Archives (NACMA)
Jennifer Walker

7

Entrance to the "Penny Arcade" gate, designed by Jack Ray.
1941-1946
Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
North American Carnival Museum and Archives (NACMA)

8

"Skooter" building on left and gate in front of Ferris wheels to the right, designed by Jack Ray.
1941-1946
Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
North American Carnival Museum and Archives (NACMA)

9

"World's Smallest Streamliner" train inside "Kiddieland".
1941-1946
Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
North American Carnival Museum and Archives (NACMA)
Jennifer Walker

10

Front entrance to "Frolic-land" at the "Fair for Britain," designed by Jack Ray.
1942-1943
Fair for Britain, Riverdale Park, Toronto, Ontario
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
North American Carnival Museum and Archives (NACMA)

11

"Fair for Britain" gate.
1942-1943
Fair for Britain, Riverdale Park, Toronto, Ontario

Credits:
North American Carnival Museum and Archives (NACMA)

12

Front gate entrance to Belmont Park.
Circa 1940
Belmont Park, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Archives de la Ville de Montréal, VM105,SY,SS2,D11,P18.

13

Gate designed by Jack Ray seen in front of a double Ferris wheel.
1937-1941
Unknown
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
North American Carnival Museum and Archives (NACMA)

14

Main gate at the Canadian National Exhibition, designed by Jack Ray.
1937-1941
Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
North American Carnival Museum and Archives (NACMA)