What happened to Belmont Park?

For decades, the sounds of a rumbling roller coaster, carnival games and the laughter of a giant animatronic woman made of papier mch invited people to Montreal's Belmont Park.

LISTEN|What happened to Belmont Park?

Good Question, Montreal24:40What happened to Belmont Park?

From 1923 to 1983, the sounds of a rumbling roller coaster, carnival games, and the laughter of a giant animatronic woman invited people to Belmont Park, an amusement park along the Des Prairies river in Cartierville. Its wild history ties together a former prime minister, a Quebec superstar singer, a Guinness World Record and a police raid. The reasons for its closure are tied up in municipal politics and commercial rivalry, and also reflect how life and leisure in Montreal changed throughout the middle of the 20th century.

The amusement park along the Rivire des Prairies in Cartierville was open from 1923 to 1983.

In this episode of Good Question, Montreal, we take you through the park's wild history, which ties together a former prime minister, a Quebec superstar singer, a Guinness World Record and a police raid.

Why the parkclosed istiedtomunicipal politics and commercial rivalry, but also reflects how life and leisure in Montreal changed throughout the middle of the 20th century.

Do you have a question about Montreal? Host Ainslie MacLellan is determined to help find the answer. Whether it's a story that's disappeared from the headlines, a curious landmark in your neighbourhood, or a quirk of Montreal life you've been wondering about, we're on it. Let's learn about this place together.

Your Montreal questions, answered weekly. Nothing too big, too small or too weird. What are you wondering? Send us your question here:cbc.ca/GoodQuestionMontreal.

Tune in toGood Question, Montrealevery Thursday on CBC Listen or wherever you get your podcasts.