Jim Kershner’s This Day in History

From our archives, 50 years ago

Natatorium Park, Spokane’s amusement park, was preparing to open for the spring. The operator, Lloyd Vogel, said that “all of the animals – deer, birds and peacocks” were back on the grounds and ready to go on display in a small zoo at the park.

He added that the “sea lions will be brought in the first week of May.” The old outdoor “Plunge” pool had been converted into a sea lion pool.

A small merry-go-round was added for kiddies that year, to go along with the park’s more famous carousel. The Nat’s first teen dance of the year was scheduled for later in May.

From the risqué cinema file: Meanwhile, for more mature fare, Spokane residents could head over to the El Rey movie theater, 326 W. Riverside Ave. – but only if they were adults.

The El Rey’s offerings this week were “Children of Eden” (“nudists of the wilds”), “Nature’s Paradise” (“beauties of Bali!”) and “Burlesque” (“beautiful blondes”).

Doors opened at noon.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1865: President Abraham Lincoln died, nine hours after being shot by John Wilkes Booth. Andrew Johnson became the nation’s 17th president. … 1947: Jackie Robinson, baseball’s first black major league player, made his official debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers.