Suffering from fewer visitors and financial difficulties, the Bashford Amphitheater had lost its value.
A SAD FAREWELL
The structure did not give way easily to the changing times. It’s been said it took teams of horses and tractors to pull down the stubborn, sturdy logs and beams that once engulfed eager audiences.
Visible behind the remaining frame is the Ticket Office which was spared destruction. It is a remnant of Mountain Lake Park’s glory days.
Tragically, the Bashford Amphitheater was razed in 1946 after being deemed a fire hazard and in dire need of a new roof. With a great decline in rail travel, The Mountain Lake Park Association lacked the financial strength to invest in a preservation project. The transition away from a bustling summer resort to a year-round residential community greatly reduced interest in season-long programs.