A Hidden Piece of Theme Park History in Pasadena 🌿
Have you ever stopped to wonder why it’s called "Busch Gardens?" The story actually starts long before roller coasters and thrill rides. Here is one of the most fascinating (and overlooked) pieces of theme park history hiding in plain sight.
The Original “Busch Gardens” Wasn’t a Theme Park
Long before there were coasters, themed lands, or even turnstiles, there was a man named Adolphus Busch co-founder of Anheuser-Busch.
Busch had a winter home in Pasadena, sitting on a massive 38-acre property. But this wasn’t just any estate. He had a passion for landscaping, plants, and elaborate garden design. Over time, he transformed the land into something truly extraordinary: 14 miles of lush, winding gardens.
He called them, simply, Busch Gardens.
And they weren’t private for long.
A Tourist Destination Before Theme Parks Existed
These gardens became so popular that people traveled from miles away just to see them. In fact, demand got so high that the Pacific Electric Railway built a streetcar line directly to the entrance—complete with a ticket office.
What Happened to Busch Gardens Pasadena?
Adolphus Busch passed away in 1913, but the gardens remained open to the public for years afterward. Unfortunately, their story didn’t have a fairy-tale ending.
By 1937, the gardens closed. The city of Pasadena chose not to preserve the land as a public park and instead sold it off for residential development.
Today, the original Busch Gardens is mostly gone, but not completely.
Can You Still Visit Anything Today?
If you know where to look, (check Arroyo Blvd and Busch Garden Dr in maps) you can still spot pieces of history hidden throughout the neighborhood. Some private homes actually incorporate original garden features, like stonework, pathways, and even bits of fencing.
How Busch Gardens Became a Theme Park Name
So how did we go from scenic gardens in Pasadena to world-famous theme parks?
About 20 years after the original gardens closed, Busch’s grandson, August Busch, Jr., had an idea. In 1959, he opened a new attraction in Tampa - a combination bird garden and beer garden - and reused the name Busch Gardens to promote the family’s brewing business.
Then, in 1966, August Busch Jr. took things even further. He built a full-fledged theme park next to the family brewery in Van Nuys, California!
That park is often considered the first true Busch Gardens theme park—and it all traces back to those original gardens in Pasadena.
Watch the Reel 🎥
Why This Matters for Theme Park Fans
This story is such a great reminder that theme parks didn’t just appear out of nowhere. They evolved. Before roller coasters and immersive lands, there were gardens, exhibitions, and beautifully designed spaces meant to bring people together.
And in a way, that core idea hasn’t changed.
Final Thoughts
Next time you visit a Busch Gardens park, just remember, you’re experiencing a name with roots that go way deeper than thrill rides.
If you love uncovering hidden theme park history, travel tips, and coaster deep dives, be sure to follow Instagram account @themeparkette for more stories like this 🎢