Pacific Ocean Park--or as it was commonly known in Los Angeles from the
'50s through the '70s, P.O.P.--was extraordinary in both its glamorous
rise and spectacular fall.
As a family-oriented attraction in the '50s with modernist-styled rides
designed by Hollywood's best, P.O.P.'s attendance surpassed that of
Disneyland.
Christopher Merritt and Domenic Priore's spectacular history includes
hundreds of images, most of them unseen elsewhere, including original
ride designs and illustrations, including Tiki-rich, space age, and
nautical rides. P.O.P. was often widely seen in movies and television
shows throughout the '60s. Its Cheetah auditorium hosted important early
rock shows, including those by Ritchie Valens, The Doors, and Pink
Floyd.
P.O.P. was located at the dividing line between Santa Monica and Venice,
the only spot during Prohibition-era Los Angeles were residents were
allowed to dance and consort in a carnival-like atmosphere. The book
also backgrounds the infamous Dogtown of the 70's in which surfers took
advantage of big waves that rolled through P.O.P.'s rotting piers near
homeless junkies.
Buyers will be able to download audio files heard from all P.O.P.'s
attractions.
Christopher Merritt currently designs amusement parks in Asia and
also co-wrote Knott's Preserved.
Domenic Priore also co-wrote the celebrated volumes Riot on Sunset
Strip, Pop Surf Culture, and Smile: The Story of Brian Wilson's Lost
Masterpiece.
