By Michael Perna, Contributing Writer
Shrewsbury – Here we have a rare photograph of what must certainly have been a huge attraction way back in 1903 – elephants swimming in Lake Quinsigamond! The elephants were part of a travelling show visiting the White City Amusement Park. In the days before the Internet, cell phones, computers, or even TV, this must have been big news! The White City and Lincoln Park across the Lake were in constant competition to attract customers – they constantly tried to outdo each other with various shows and acts, including acrobats, trapeze artists, high divers, and also various musical shows. The White City eventually outlasted Lincoln Park, even though it eventually closed down too. Today, no trace of either one exists, other than the White City name being used by the shopping plaza that stands on the park’s site.